Dedicated team targets ‘abnormals’ on Durban corridor

THE RELOCATION of heavy, awkward and expensive machinery between Durban and Gauteng has caused many nightmares for managers of businesses requiring this service, according to Bruce Lovemore, director of Lovemore Bros – a specialist machine-moving contractor based in Durban. “The knee-jerk reaction is to go cheap,” he told FTW, “which involves hiring a loading operator in Durban, a separate haulier to transport and an offloading operator in Johannesburg to complete the delivery. “Invariably something is damaged or lost along the way and managers find themselves unable to tie down who the offender was. Or severe delays in the delivery cause end-users to miss deadlines and cost many man hours in downtime.” Lovemore Bros has decided to tackle this problem by dedicating a fleet of three crane truck and trailer combinations to service this route. The team will be headed up by Jerry Munsami at the base in Durban and Gary Graham operating out of Johannesburg. Both individuals are available on call to assess work on a free quote basis, and have been tasked with raising the standard of machinery relocation along this corridor. “The vehicles are operated by highly experienced rigging crews with onboard gear capable of rigging out, loading, transporting, offloading and final positioning any machinery in a professional and controlled environment,” said Lovemore. Also, the company ofers an “all risks rigging and transit insurance policy” to the client to provide an extra protective element in the event of an accident. “This is better than the standard goods in transit (GIT) policy,” said Lovemore, “as the client can nominate the actual amount of insurance he requires. And, importantly, it also covers the loading and off-loading – two very risk-sensitive areas of the machine move.” According to Lovemore this is not a high turnaround operation. “It's rather one of reducing risk and delivering the goods to the client in an undamaged and complete state.”