Global light and compact equipment specialist, Wacker Neuson, inked a strategic dealership agreement with one of South Africa’s most prominent agri-mechanisation and service companies, Senwes Equipment. In addition to favourable growth potential for both parties in the South African agricultural sector, this move, which was realised in September 2022, also holds tremendous advantages for their respective customer bases.

The Senwes Group of Companies, of which Senwes Equipment is a subsidiary, boasts a commendable 113-year history and a broad footprint across South Africa, positioning Senwes Equipment as a solid longstanding partner in the country’s agricultural industry. Senwes Equipment is present in the Northwest Province, Free State, Northern Cape, Gauteng, and Eastern Cape. “We are also a 50% partner of the JDI group in the Southern Cape where we provide services from six locations,” says Ferdie Pieterse, Managing Director of Senwes Equipment. “Moreover, we have 33 branches in the northern territory of which 18 boast fully equipped workshops complete with mobile service units.”   

“We are really excited to now be able to also offer Wacker Neuson equipment as part of our diverse product portfolio,” says Ferdie. “The agreement will expand our product offering to customers and will allow us to grow into new segments of the market where we have not been present. Wacker Neuson is a premium brand that is known for quality, reliability, and innovation which is visible in all the products. These well-designed and well-built machines live up to customers ‘expectations.”

Stefan le Roux, Wacker Neuson Sales Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa, is also enthusiastic about the collaboration between the two companies. “Senwes Equipment was looking to expand their product offering and soon discussions began to see how we can build a mutually beneficial lasting relationship. Their extensive experience and stellar reputation in the agricultural mechanisation and service market, added to their deep-rooted customer relationships and service orientation, is what motivated this partnership.”

The dealer on-boarding, which started in October 2022, sees Senwes Equipment supplying Wacker Neuson wheel loaders, excavators and telehandlers to customers from all Senwes Equipment and JDI branches. According to Ferdie, their customers recognise what the Wacker Neuson brand represents, adding that “Wacker Neuson’s telescopic handlers and wheel loaders are the most popular machines.”

Stefan elaborates on the importance placed on skilling technicians and sales professionals to live up to the company’s customer value proposition: “Training will initially be done every two weeks to make sure that the Senwes Equipment sales team is confident in the Wacker Neuson brand and comfortable with the sales and aftersales processes.”

“We will soon start with a full training schedule for parts and service professionals to service the market. “All relevant sales and after-sales training will be offered via our convenient online platform as well as on-site and at our new state-of-the-art Training Academy located at our Gauteng head office.” 

Ferdie, who is impressed by Wacker Neuson‘s parts warehouse, their distribution ability as well as their advanced technical training facility, confirms that Senwes Equipment will provide parts, technical service and maintenance to customers. “We will be utilising our 72 technicians and 93 parts sales clerks with field services provided by our 52-strong service vehicle fleet. We are looking forward to the new relationship and we are excited to serve our customer base with these outstanding products,” concludes Ferdie.

Dennis Vietze, Managing Director for Wacker Neuson Sub-Saharan Africa, wraps up: “We see massive potential in the relationship and alliance that are already prevalent between the two companies. Their longstanding experience and national reach make Senwes Equipment an excellent distribution partner for Wacker Neuson as part of our expansion into the agri-mechanisation and service market. We are convinced that our partnership with Senwes Equipment will provide our customers with exceptional customer service of outstanding quality, achieving strong supply chains by consistently providing them with high-end, world-class equipment.”