Spoornet expects massive savings from new maintenance plan

THE INTEGRATION of Transnet's procurement arm Promat into Spoornet is expected to significantly improve locomotive, wagon and infrastructure maintenance resulting in savings of over R500m in the next five years. That's according to recently appointed general manager restructuring and joint ventures Harry Mashele who fully supports the practical thinking behind the move which poses major challenges for the division which he now heads up. "It will ultimately lead to a more strategic approach towards our maintenance with positive spin-offs for our customers," says Mashele. "Previously the procurement costs were recorded on different balance sheets. This resulted in a high risk of obsolescence because Spoornet was not taking ownership. Double handling was an additional unnecessary extra." To page 24 From page 1 Spoornet's own procurement programme and the additional budget for Promat will exceed R6,8bn a year, which is serious spending power in anyone's language. In the previous scenario Spoornet admits that it was possible for locomotives to be left standing for days because spares were not always available. And with a fleet that ranges from decades-old locomotives to the 'Rolls Royces' of the industry, efficient procurement has posed major challenges. Mashele is however confident that with strategic sourcing and programmed maintenance a more efficient fleet will ultimately result. On track . . . with strategic sourcing and programmed maintenance a more efficient fleet will ultimately result