Atlas Copco Compressor Technique has added value to customer service in Kwazulu-Natal following the recent relocation of its service division from Pinetown to Durban, joining Rand Air and Atlas Copco Industrial Technique under one roof.
“The move which is in line with Atlas Copco’s trend to consolidate, makes sound business and financial sense when considering the synergies and costs shared between the three businesses - CTS, our sister company, Rand Air and Atlas Copco’s industrial tool business area,” says Wayne Jacobs, Business Line Manager, Atlas Copco Compressor Technique Service Division.
“As the majority of our customers are located in Durban, the expedient move to the new more centrally located Isipingo offices facilitates our access to customers and makes it easier for customers in the KZN metro to reach us,” adds Jacobs.
According to Atlas Copco CTS Durban Branch Manager, Max Larue, the move is beneficial to all three businesses. “From a rental perspective, we are sharing costs such as rent, water and lights, security, etc. From a business perspective, it is generating new business. While servicing our customers’ equipment we are able to recommend Rand Air for equipment hire and Rand Air brings us customers who require servicing on their compressors.”
“We work closely with Rand Air and because we are literally across the table from each other, both parties receive the ‘heads up’ straight away on customer leads and needs. So, from the customer’s perspective, the seamless interaction between the two businesses has sped up our service offering ultimately benefitting customers through faster and more efficient service and turnaround times.”
Max explains that adapting to the new shared premises was easy. “The premise-sharing principle is not new to us as we were in the same building as Atlas Copco Construction Technique in Pinetown. Rand Air has been most accommodating which has really helped to make the move seamless. Our only challenge presented by the move is explaining to customers that CTS and Rand Air are parallel but separate businesses; we are compressor service specialists and Rand Air specialises in compressor hire.”
CTS occupies approximately 33% of the building as most of their business is field service and is conducted on customer premises while Rand Air uses most of the outside area for their rental fleet park.
The CTS team of four highly qualified technicians attends to compressor maintenance, service and repairs. Max emphasises the importance of preventative maintenance. “All mechanical parts eventually wear but if maintenance is done correctly by trained technicians using the right tools at the right time, breakdowns and premature failures will reduce drastically, leading to savings both in terms of time (uptime and productivity) and costs (spares).”
CTS moved into their new home at 21 Pascoe Road, Isipingo, during the last week of February 2016 and were open for trading on 1st March 2016.