SAS invests heavily in new bulk handling equipment

CT branch to open shortly Terry Hutson ABOUT A year ago, the Bidvest stevedoring company South African Stevedores (SAS) entered into an agreement with Saficon Industrial Equipment’s Durban office to outsource nationally its forklift requirements on a rental basis. The award of major steel and car handling contracts and continued growth around the country has resulted in SAS making major capital investments in new bulk handling equipment in addition to the upgrading of its forklift fleets. These investments are geared towards improving productivity and customer service. As part of South African Stevedores strategy to be operational in all South African ports, a new branch will shortly be opened in Cape Town to provide additional facilities to its Western Cape customers. As the first phase of the agreement Saficon established fully equipped workshops in SAS’s main operating centres - Durban, Richards Bay and Saldanha. Five 5 ton, one 6 ton and, three 7 ton Toyota Forklifts, plus one 28 ton Kalmar Forklift were recently handed over to SAS for use in the Durban operation. These forklifts completed an order of twelve new machines, a further two having been previously delivered. The order forms part of a larger contract, which also includes the complete refurbishment of a number of SAS’s existing machines. The forklifts are fitted with lifting lugs to facilitate their movement into the holds of ships, for the efficient handling, loading and off loading of cargo and materials. According to SAS the relationship is working well and Saficon is proving to be a cost-effective solution provider in managing its forklift fleets around the country. “Saficon have not only supplied us with reliable equipment but have also assisted us by providing accurate management information on equipment cost and performance that is required in planning a stevedoring operation,” commented one of the South African management team.