Hired generators demand high – Rand-Air

6th December 2013

  

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Despite the prevailing tough economic conditions which many South African companies are currently encountering, generator hire company Rand-Air reports that there is still ongoing demand for its generators, as projects are still going ahead.

However, the company does note that demand patterns have changed over the past few years in the generator and standby power sector.

Rand-Air fleet manager Craig Swart reports that this is good news for the company, as it is testimony to the high technology standards and quality of its products.

“Customers look for these aspects in a product during challenging economic and operational times.

“There is a definite shift in industries where Rand-Air’s generators are most in demand. Rand-Air is seeing more interest from companies that perform routine maintenance projects, for example, projects requiring a plant shutdown. Our capacity to cater for this demand was evident when we recently assisted a leading petrochemicals company which needed to carry out routine maintenance,” he explains.

When South Africa experienced its power capacity problems in 2008 and 2009, there was significant demand for standby and emergency power from companies in both the domestic and industrial markets. During this time, and even up until fairly recently, companies which supplied generators and standby power enjoyed a boom period while additional power stations have been under construction.

However, Swart notes that the generator and standby power sector will need to adjust its strategy, as the national power supply has now largely stabilised. In addition, key power generation installations are approaching the commissioning stage and will add significant capacity to the national grid, he adds.

“Suppliers of generators and standby power will certainly need to find innova- tive ways of stimulating new business as the above developments take place and industry demand patterns change as a result,” comments Swart.

He adds that this is where belonging to the global Atlas Copco group is a significant strategic advantage for Rand-Air. “In a highly competitive industry, having any edge on a competitor is vitally important and is the essence of a company’s success. Therefore, having the technological advantage is essential,” he says.

Swart adds that Atlas Copco has developed technology that allows a number of generators to run in parallel from a central location. These generators then feed into a central software program where their performance may be monitored at all times.

“This is important, as the necessary changes can be made so that the generators run smoothly at all times and to full cap- acity. This adds significant value from an operational perspective, as human resource skills can then be used on other important aspects of the project.

“The combination of Rand-Air’s consistent and dedicated focus on customer service and our extensive industry experience in the generator and standby power market means that we can meet the specific requirements of clients when it comes to supplying generators for any industry and any project, large or small, near or far, in a cost-effective and timely manner,” Swart concludes.

Edited by Megan van Wyngaardt
Creamer Media Contributing Editor Online

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