Atlas Copco South Africa will showcase their newly formed Construction Technique business area in Southern Africa to the construction and rental oriented audiences at the first Bauma exhibition to take place on African soil, in September 2013 in Johannesburg. “We are very enthusiastic about our participation at Bauma Africa 2013, as it is the first construction- specific exhibition of its kind in Africa,” says Atlas Copco Construction Technique General Manager, Philip Herselman. “Our objectives at the show are to make existing customers aware of the new 4th business area in the Atlas Copco Group and to send a strong message that we will leave customers convinced that Construction Technique is the reference for construction-related equipment. We want to show them who we are, what we stand for and what we can offer.”

The primary reason for the establishment of Construction Technique in Q4 2011, is a commitment to ensuring that customers always come first across all facets of the business. Herselman elaborates, “This necessitated an intense and on-going focus in two main areas; firstly, we are concentrating on increasing sales and service synergies between the four construction-related divisions (portable compressors and generators, road construction equipment, construction tools, and parts & service); secondly we are addressing various growth initiatives including a significant enlargement of our Southern African footprint so that we are there for our customers irrespective of how remote their location.”

Directed primarily at attendees from Sub Sahara Africa, Bauma Africa is, according to Herselman, the ideal platform for Atlas Copco Construction Technique to display some of their construction equipment. “Organisers are predicting that Bauma Africa will attract great local as well as international interest and we see Bauma Africa as the benchmark platform to showcase constructed-related equipment and therefore it is very important for Atlas Copco to participate.” “Visitors to Bauma Africa will find themselves on a ‘construction site’ where they will have the opportunity to see our equipment in their ‘natural habitat’”, explains Herselman. “Our Road Construction Equipment division will showcase a popular size roller and paver specific for this market; Portable Energy will be represented by low pressure compressed air equipment, an onsite power generator and lighting tower and finally, pneumatic handheld equipment, possibly some hydraulic attachments and light compaction construction equipment from our Construction Tools Division, will round off our ‘construction site’ exhibit.”    
           
“With our transitional year of 2012 now behind us, Construction Technique kicks into top gear in 2013 and I am delighted to report that just over a year since the formation of the business area, our on-going and focussed commitments are already paying dividends,” continues Herselman. “We are encouraged by the positive growth across all four divisions. Most importantly, we have expanded our parts and service network to offer essential support to customers and equipment across the Southern African regions of Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, Malawi and Mozambique within the mining, construction, tunneling, oil and gas, water and waste water sectors, with more growth anticipated,” notes an upbeat Herselman adding that a healthy increase in revenue and order intake within the relevant targeted market segments have also been realised.

“Optimum performance, reliability, low maintenance and increased uptime all add up to what is ultimately important for the customer – sustained productivity and low total cost of operational ownership. We remain committed to our customers’ needs and we walk this talk through our specially designed and engineered products and through building long-term customer relationships,” continues Herselman. “These relationships do not end with the supply of equipment, because we are in it for the long haul, partnering with our customers throughout the equipment’s operational life, offering expert advice, maintenance and after-sales service. When customers buy our products, they are investing in equipment as well as in a long term partnership with Atlas Copco. ”Herselman wraps up, “The team is looking forward to welcoming Bauma Africa visitors on to our ‘construction site’ to view to our construction equipment display - hard hats not essential!”