Potain Offers Value Product For Emerging Contractors In Africa

8th September 2015

Potain Offers Value Product For Emerging Contractors In Africa

Company Announcement - Original Equipment Manufacturers need to remain nimble and stay close to their markets to ensure that the equipment being produced is fit-for-purpose and that while meeting the operational needs of customers it is also affordable. This is according to Paul Rogers, sales director from Manitowoc responsible for English-speaking Africa, who says that the OEM recognised that a two-tier approach was needed to assist customers across the region. “We are well aware that the construction sector varies from continent to continent as well as from country to country, and not all markets have the level of maturity to justify premium features on materials handling equipment,” he says.

“There is a definite requirement to cater for both the global blue chip western companies that are constructing in Africa as well as the emerging contractors, and this is why the Potain range offers a the choice between a premium product and a value product,” Rogers says. Many Potain users are large international companies who see merit in purchasing a premium product that will offer extended life and has numerous integral features that will enhance the operation of the crane and make maintenance a whole lot simpler. “This is not, however, possible for all companies and with the growth of the smaller contractor sector in Africa there arose the need to make cost competitive materials handling solutions available,” Rogers says.

Another issue which underpins this need is that with the logistical challenges in some parts of Africa tower cranes might actually be installed on a site and will “die” there. Over 60 models of Potain tower cranes are produced in plants in France, Germany, Italy, Portugal and China. The value product is produced in Asia and offers users optimum reliability.