When Fortune Naledi, owner of GNF1, needed new trucks for the logistics arm of her engineering solutions company, she turned to Babcock Africa, the sole importer and distributor of DAF CF and XF trucks across southern Africa since 2010.
While DAF Trucks’ fuel efficiency originally piqued her interest, it was Babcock’s customer-focused and comprehensive service that clinched the deal. Today, GNF1 has several DAF trucks in its fleet primarily used for coal logistics, and Naledi looks forward to growing her relationship with DAF and Babcock.
“As a relationship-orientated person, when I bought my first DAF truck, I immediately realised that Babcock doesn’t just sell equipment,” Naledi says. She explains that Babcock took the time to understand her future transportation goals to ensure she purchased the right trucks for her business needs. “They also discussed aftersales service and maintenance plans with me to help me get the best value from my trucks,” adds Naledi.
Delivering exceptional value to customers is all in a day's work for Babcock and the business is renowned for its excellent customer interaction and aftersales service that goes well beyond the sales lot. Naledi says this gives her peace of mind, knowing Babcock is always on hand to quickly resolve breakdowns and carry out maintenance or repairs.
“I don’t need to worry about the technical details of my truck if any issues arise. I can simply take it to Babcock and they will carry out the diagnostics and repairs. This takes the pressure off me and allows me to concentrate on my business,” comments Naledi.
Babcock’s total transport solutions are aimed at helping DAF customers keep their running costs as low as possible and the business offers fleet management, predictive forecasting for cash flow preservation and flexible financing options for DAF trucks. This gives customers the best value from their assets for improved productivity and profitability.
As one of the leading heavy-duty truck brands in Europe, DAF Trucks are fast gaining a reputation in southern Africa as a competitive, fuel-efficient truck built for the long haul. Driving the trucks’ transport efficiency is their PACCAR engines that provide greater torque at lower revolutions per minute (rpm) for superior fuel efficiency, lower noise levels and reduced CO₂ emissions.
DAF is the first truck manufacturer to fully utilise new European regulations regarding truck masses and dimensions to deliver unique benefits to customers. The brand received the Truck Innovation award in 2022, thanks to its commitment to the decarbonisation of transportation and mobility. In the same year, DAF was crowned International Truck of the Year in Lyon, France in recognition of its significant contribution to road transport efficiency.
As a female business owner, securing the environment for future generations is particularly important to Naledi. “Ensuring our children inherit a sustainable world is one of my top business priorities, so DAF’s reduced carbon footprint really attracted me to the brand,” she says.
This year GNF1 celebrates a decade of successfully delivering top-tier engineering, construction and consulting services to various businesses in South Africa. Its logistics arm was created two years ago to meet the coal loading and hauling demands of clients in the mining sector. Naledi uses both the CF and XF models, which together meet her short- and long-haul requirements.
Based in Mpumalanga, the 100% black women- and youth-owned company partners with, employs and gives practical training to previously marginalised individuals and is fully committed to the penetration of black entrepreneurs into mainstream economic activity.
Naledi sums up her thoughts on being a woman in a traditionally male-dominated business arena. “Where there’s a will there’s a way. You need to set your own goals and get on with it. Although my business can be complicated, I simplify it with systems and OEM assistance. This makes Babcock and DAF great to partner with, as they’re always willing to help and are just a phone call away.”