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Disrupting the boat security market

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Marine Energy Systems (MES) are focused on delivering silent, non-polluting, and renewable sources of power into the marine sector. The company has a reputation for only working with credible, long-established companies. With it’s UK nationwide network of trained skilled professionals, Marine Energy Systems are able to service the whole of the UK. And one of the customers’ demands MES engineers face more and more frequently is an intelligent security system onboard.

Challenge

Find a supplier for professional security equipment that can be easily integrated into a vessel’s electric system

Security concerns are inherent in 2 of 3 vessel owners. And this considerable demand faces the lack of choice when it comes to security equipment purchase. Regardless of the vessel size, owners have to choose between spending over £5,000-6,000 for a specialized system or adapting a car/motorcycle alarm system. The last one is quite a hassle because navigation, key vessel indicators, controls, and security are expected to be accessible on a digital dashboard and smartphone — anywhere, anytime.

Marine Energy Systems work with big players and customers in this sector, including Sunseeker, a well-known luxury Superyacht manufacturer, and many others.

MES came up with a request to supply boats with a security system which is compatible with the yachts’ onboard software. The system should:

  • support cellular connectivity
  • have a mobile app to report alerts
  • be straightforward to install
  • look slick to fit luxury interiors

Solution

Ajax security systems integrated via a proprietary API with wireless detectors that fit both luxury yachts interiors and tight budgets

Once tested Ajax devices, Marine Energy Systems’ engineers appreciated a hassle-free approach to system installation. All detectors are equipped with SmartBracket panels — there is no need to disassemble the enclosure. To connect a detector to the system, an engineer just scans a QR code with the Ajax app, and the device is ready for configuring. The system parameters and detector configuration can be done from desktop or mobile apps. This system feature helps Marine Energy Systems in providing remote technical support throughout the entire vessel lifecycle.

Battery power became another practical aspect. Wireless devices do not require a power supply from a vessel at all. In turn, Ajax control panels — hubs — can be connected to the onboard electricity via the 6 V power supply unit. Backup batteries and low power consumption ensure long-lasting protection with no additional maintenance. Depending on the model, hubs support 2G/3G/4G SIM cards and Wi-Fi providing stable connectivity — no need to purchase and install extra communication modules.

To integrate security system management with vessel software, Ajax provides engineers with the Enterprise API. This API allows to display the security information as it is available in the Ajax apps:

  • System settings and devices configuration
  • Security groups information
  • System users and their permissions
  • Event feed
  • Security modes
  • Power supply statuses
  • Surveillance cameras streams

«I SEE A HUGE OPPORTUNITY HERE. WE WORK WITH VARIOUS SHIPYARDS BUILDING LEISURE, COMMERCIAL, SERVICE VESSELS — AND ALL OF THEM NEED SOME SECURITY SOLUTION. HAVING 25 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE BOATING INDUSTRY, I THINK AJAX IS A BIG LEAP FORWARD, ALLOWING US TO BUILD COMPLEX SYSTEMS THAT WILL SERVE OUR CUSTOMERS ALL OVER THE WORLD»Lee Smith, Operatoins Manager at Marine Energy Systems

Products

Hub 2 Plus

Security system control panel

Learn more

MotionCam

Motion detector with a photo camera to verify alarms

Learn more

How to Properly Dispose of a Fire Extinguisher

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 I was cleaning out my parents’ house the other day, and I found an fire extinguisher that looks like it’s about 20 years old. What’s the best way to get rid of it? Any advice you can give on how to dispose of a fire extinguisher?

A: You’re right to assume that an expired 20-year-old fire extinguisher is probably not safe or reliable to use anymore. Just as knowing how to use a fire extinguisher is important, it is almost equally important to know when it is time to dispose of an old fire extinguisher and replace it with a new one.

Fire extinguishers are filled with hazardous materials that are under high pressure. Thus, they should not be put in the regular trash. Read on to learn more about when old fire extinguishers should be replaced and how to dispose of a fire extinguisher properly and safely.

When should an old fire extinguisher be replaced?

Before disposing of old fire extinguishers, confirm that they actually need to be replaced. Fire extinguishers typically last between 5 and 15 years. In some cases, you may be able to find an expiration date or a date of manufacturing on the canister, which can help clue you in on the fire extinguisher’s age.

Even if you can’t find a date, there are other ways to assess whether you should replace your old model with a new fire extinguisher. If your fire extinguisher has any dents or bumps, is missing the pin or tamper seal, or otherwise looks to be in poor condition, it is time to promptly find a replacement.

If your old fire extinguisher has a pressure gauge, check to confirm that the needle is still pointing to the green section. When the needle is pointing to the red or white area on the gauge, it means it is either time to recharge or dispose of the fire extinguisher.

 how to dispose of a fire extinguisher

despoitphotos.com

Some fire extinguishers can be recharged.

As you’re thinking about what to do with old fire extinguishers, keep in mind that some fire extinguishers can be recharged. If the pressure has dropped in your canister, or it has been discharged, recharging the fire extinguisher can make it safe to use again.

You should not attempt to recharge a fire extinguisher on your own due to the highly pressurized contents. Special equipment is required to recharge a fire extinguisher, so this is a task that is best left to a professional. Contact a fire protection company or a certified fire equipment dealer to make an appointment to have your fire extinguisher recharged.

Empty fire extinguishers can be recycled.

If you’re wondering how to dispose of old fire extinguishers, you may be able to recycle them if the canister is empty. Full fire extinguishers cannot be recycled because of the hazardous materials they contain. Once they’re empty, however, these hazardous materials are no longer a concern. You may be able to put the fire extinguisher out with your other recycling to be picked up.

Call your recycling company to confirm that they will recycle fire extinguishers that are empty. If they will not pick them up with the regular collection, ask about dropping the empty fire extinguisher off at a local recycling center.

 how to dispose of a fire extinguisher

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Your local fire department may accept old or used fire extinguishers.

Bringing old or used fire extinguishers to the fire department may also be a viable solution for those who wonder, “How do you dispose of fire extinguishers?” If your fire extinguisher has not been discharged, rather than trying to empty and recycle it yourself, contact your local fire station.

Some fire stations allow residents to drop off expired, damaged, or otherwise unusable fire extinguishers. They will take care of properly disposing of the hazardous materials inside the canister and then recycle the rest of the materials.

Dispose of old fire extinguishers at your local household hazardous waste facility.

Another approved option for fire extinguisher disposal is to bring it to a hazardous waste disposal facility in your area. If you’re not sure where your local facility is located, try searching for “where to dispose of old fire extinguishers near me.” Also, your city or county government’s website may include information about their household hazardous waste disposal services and drop-off locations.

After you identify your local hazardous waste facility location, call to confirm that they accept fire extinguishers, whether there’s a limit on the number of fire extinguishers that you can drop off, and whether these materials are accepted only on certain days. If you’re looking to dispose of fire extinguishers on behalf of a commercial enterprise, there may also be additional protocols to follow.

Sensors In Fire Detection

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Fire detection and simulation systems are growing more sophisticated and span larger distances.

 EditorJun 13, 2022

0 32 12 minutes read

The last 10 years or so have produced some colossal and deadly fire events that have destroyed whole towns, burned a record amount of acreage, and polluted skies for weeks. And wildfires are not just happening in the Western United States but have burnt out of control in Europe, the Amazon, and Australia.

Early wildfire detection and forest management via controlled burns are two ways to prevent wildfires from getting out of control. Sensor systems, networks, artificial intelligence, simulation, and modeling all have a role to play. Governments and governmental agencies have acted as catalysts to spur on development of models, sensors, and networks. Commercial offerings continue to tackle problems of power, cost, automation, and network accessibility for remote coverage areas.

Detection, inside and out
Gas and particulate sensors, cameras, lidar, and microphones all play a part in wildfire detection. An indoor fire detection system might have optical sensors that look for smoke, thermal sensors that detect rising temperatures, and sensors for CO and CO2 gas. Photoelectric smoke detectors use a light beam to detect smoke from smoldering fires, while ionization smoke detectors use electrically charged particles, or ions, to find smoke from flaming fires. Dual-sensor smoke detectors have photoelectric and ionization detectors.

More types of sensors are being added to indoor fire detection systems, such as motion detectors and audio systems the detect breaking glass. The basics of an indoor automatic fire alarm system include a receiver, automatic sensors, manual transmitters, sound devices, fire doors, fire shutters, smoke shutters, and network devices to which they are connected.

“Our customers are integrating IAQ (indoor air quality) sensors into fire and carbon monoxide detectors to add additional value,” said Dave Simpson, director of marketing for industrial sensing at Renesas Electronics. “We are seeing metal oxide for IAQ and humidity/temperature sensors” being used and developed into systems.

Winter fire safety the focus of municipal campaign

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Residents of Joburg living in informal settlements have been advised not to leave candles or braziers unattended, as these are the main course of shack fires during the winter season.

The City’s Emergency Management Services (EMS) aims to raise awareness about fire safety and reinforce adequate measures for evacuating burning structures, through its annual “Stay-Alive-Until-We-Arrive” programme. The overarching goal is to assist residents of informal dwellings to avert the dangers of a fire outbreak.

The EMS has trained about 40 community members from Drieziek Ext 3, south of Joburg in basic firefighting and first aid administration to enable them to prevent the occurrence of avoidable shack fires within their community. Residents who attended the training have received a certificate of course completion and a safety bucket containing a smoke detector, a first aid kit to treat minor burns, and a mini fire-extinguisher.

The City usually experiences an increase in fire-related injuries during the winter season, particularly in informal settlements, and is advising shack dwellers to use only regulated and South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) approved heating appliances to avoid unexpected explosions.

The EMS responded to approximately 445 fire incidents in informal settlements last year. Although no lives were lost in these incidents, the City urges increased caution when dealing with fire.

Two children were killed in a shack fire in Drieziek recently after an unattended candle tripped and ignited a raging blaze.

The member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Public Safety, councillor David Tembe, says the fire incident in Drieziek has prompted the City to intensify proactive safety measures to reduce incidents of this nature.

“The number of fire incidents reported during this winter already is concerning and if left unmanaged can lead to unnecessary deaths and loss of property. These unforeseen circumstances can, however, be prevented if people use proper cooking and heating devices,” Cllr Tembe says.

Every winter, the municipality conducts fire safety awareness campaigns in informal settlements and public schools to provide residents with the knowledge they need to avoid the dangers of raging shack fires.

Tshepo Makola, the Executive Head of EMS, says shack fires are preventable if people use proper cooking and lighting equipment and know-how to identify fire risks in their households.

“Our job is to educate vulnerable communities on how to ensure safety on all things that present potential fire hazards. The target is to train everyone in the City about fire safety,” Makola says.

Cooking equipment such as prime stoves that are not SABS approved; confined spaces with no electricity; braziers with highly flammable materials for cooking; and candles that are not placed on proper holders to prevent them from falling are some of the risk factors that lead to shack fires in Johannesburg.

MMC Tembe says the City will continue investing in educating vulnerable communities about the prevention of shack fires.

“Our strategic objective is to provide community awareness of the dangers of unattended fires. We also want to empower communities about the mitigation of such disasters,” he says.

While community members are being equipped for fire emergencies, there are still concerns that as the coldest season of the year settles, people living in informal settlements are still prone to fire disasters because of the use of unsafe heating apparatuses.

“Our mandate is to keep the public safe, irrespective of where you come from. It is non-negotiable and one of the priorities of our multiparty government is the creation of a safer City,” Tembe says.

Steel Family Holdings (“SFH”) announces acquisition of Fire Detection Devices Ltd.

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Steel Family Holdings is pleased to announce the acquisition of Fire Detection Devices Ltd.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to bring Fire Detection Devices Ltd., a known and trusted Canadian brand, into the SFH group of companies”, said Jason Steel, President. “Our goal with this new venture is to build on the legacy of this industry pioneer, by investing in the original patented heat detector, to make it even more accessible to the market.”

Fire Detection Devices Ltd. has offered heat detection solutions for over 50 years, and includes the most reliable spot-type heat detectors on the market today. For many in the fire alarm industry, conventional heat detectors are easily recognized by their distinctive heat collecting disc. This design was the brainchild of Jack Duggan. In 1962, Jack incorporated Fire Devices Manufacturing Limited, and began manufacturing his patented design. The “Thermoflex” brand has been made in Canada, by Canadians ever since.

“The past two years have been challenging for those in the manufacturing sector,” said Patricia Duggan, President of Fire Detection Devices. “This shift in the landscape inspired us to find someone who could carry on the work our father, Jack Duggan began over sixty years ago. We feel very fortunate to have met Jason Steel, and we believe SFH will not only continue to produce quality heat detectors but will take Jack’s vision to another level.”

Over the last 5 years SFH has acquired Serva-Lite Sales, SOTA Battery and Battery2000. The company continues to maintain the highest level of service and product quality, growing the business of customers across Canada and throughout North America and other export markets.

About Steel Family Holdings

Steel Family Holdings acquires companies with leading brand recognition in the Fire, Life, and Safety industry. Our customers are OEMS, distributors and service companies that service or sell into the fire and life safety industries. SFH is a family-owned and operated company with a long track record of exceeding customer expectations.

WAGNER Shows Individual Fire Protection Solutions At FeuerTrutz 2022

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At FeuerTrutz 2022 in Nuremberg on June 29 and 30, WAGNER will be presenting its fire protection solutions, which are used worldwide in areas such as warehouses/logistics, data centers or museums, and archives.

Among other things, the expert relies on active fire prevention with oxygen reduction. Visitors can experience how this system works live at the booth. In addition, Matthias Dorsch, Head of Market Solution Management, will be speaking at the expert forum “BIM goes Fire Protection” on June 30 about “BIM in-plant fire protection: from theory to practice”.

OxyReduct® System

Oxygen reduction as an effective fire protection solution: This is how WAGNER ensures extra safety for customers all over the world.

Wagner Oxyreduct

The OxyReduct® system is used for active fire prevention in combination with early fire detection. The plant manufacturer will be demonstrating exactly how oxygen reduction works live at Booth 317 in Hall 4A from June 29 to 30, 2022. Visitors can experience fire behavior in an oxygen-reduced atmosphere in an OxyReduct® booth.

TITANUS® Air Sampling Smoke Detectors

Another focus at the WAGNER booth is the earliest possible fire detection with TITANUS® air sampling smoke detectors, which form the basis of every individual solution.

Wagner VisuLan nad Titanus

The experts will also present on-site where modern gas extinguishing systems are used and how the VisuLAN® organization and hazard management system controls and centrally maps a wide range of safety-relevant systems.

Holistic Fire Protection Solution

Our customers receive an individual and efficient solution with systems for active fire prevention”

We offer fire protection as a holistic solution. Trendsetting. Worldwide. Our fire protection solutions are always based on the individual analysis of the risks prevailing in the protected area as well as the customer’s protection goals,” says Dipl.-Ing. Steffen Springer, Managing Director, WAGNER Group GmbH.

Regardless of whether it is a small archive or a huge high-bay warehouse: Our customers receive an individual and efficient solution with systems for active fire prevention or firefighting in combination with early fire detection.”

BIM Goes Fire Protection Forum

With a global network of locations and strong partners, the Hanover-based company offers better solutions in fire protection all over the world and can draw on a broad reference portfolio. The professional exchange will also not be neglected at Germany’s largest trade fair for plant engineering fire protection.

At the specialist forum “BIM goes Fire Protection” on June 30, Matthias Dorsch, Division Manager of Market Solution Management at WAGNER, will speak about “BIM in plant engineering fire protection: from theory to practice.”

South Africa mining resilient despite COVID-19 challenges

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South Africa’s mining companies remained resilient and performed on all fronts, according to a PwC report, highlighting the bullish impact of stronger commodity prices and a weaker rand on the key sector.

Platinum basket prices increased, and investors turned to gold as a safe investment amid concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic and global trade tensions. In 2020, total market capitalisation increased to £59.5 billion from £39.1 billion. This marked a £20.4 billion (52%) year-on-year increase from 2019, largely attributable to the growth in market capitalisation of companies within the gold and PGM sectors. Gold and PGM accounted for 80 percent of the market capitalisation of the companies analysed this year and continue to dominate the sector.

“South Africa’s mining sector continues to be a meaningful contributor to the economy and has weathered the COVID-19 pandemic in many respects – showing good profitability and retaining strong balance sheets,” says Andries Rossouw, PwC Africa Energy Utilities & Resources Leader. “The long-term future is unknown, however, as there is little consensus on how the pandemic will impact the mining industry. The pandemic highlighted the absolute need to build back better and mining will play a key role in that recovery.”

The total revenue generated by the South African mining industry for the year ending 30 June 2020 grew by 4 percent. This was mainly driven by PGMs, gold and iron ore, which saw increases in revenue for the 12-month period. PGM generated the largest portion of revenue (28 percent), demonstrating a 56 percent increase from the previous year, overtaking coal for the first time since 2010. Gold mining companies had an increase of 35 percent in revenue. Revenue for the ‘other mining’ segments increased by seven percent.

However, production decreased by 8 percent year-on-year, with a 44 percent decrease in production noted in April 2020 because of the pandemic – the most significant of which was due to reductions in gold, diamonds and PGM outputs. Production levels increased in May 2020 following the easing of lockdown restrictions.

The report highlights four key Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) focus areas that companies need to focus on if they want to build back better and ensure a just transition to a new economy and enhance their social license to operate:

These are:

1. Supply chain resilience

2. Measuring impact

3. Climate-related risks

4. Resource efficiency

“Our analysis shows that while mining companies are often at the forefront of ESG efforts, they are weak on their reporting when it comes to setting targets and measuring themselves. The COVID-19 pandemic called for a renewed focus from government and business to better peoples’ lives and support local communities. As such, this shows a need for ESG to be considered in its entirety,” says Luyanda Mngadi, PwC Assurance Partner and SA Mine 2020 Project Leader.

The pandemic highlighted the absolute need to ‘build back better’. Mining will play a key role in that recovery. It is therefore unfortunate that despite the increased profitability, capital expenditure only increased marginally.

“Whilst a cautious approach is understandable, impediments to investment need to be removed. Liberalisation of the energy market to ensure reliable and cost competitive electricity is essential for mining and potential beneficiation opportunities,” the report states.

“Progress in the regulatory environment should continue with a need to streamline processes and improve transparency for existing and potential investors. The mining tax environment should be considered as a whole, with an opportunity to incentivise exploration expenditure. Enabling infrastructure, supporting supply chain and mine- to- market logistics would provide immediate recovery benefits and enhance long- term sustainability,” it concludes, but stresses that investment can only be attracted if the SA mining industry can be cost competitive with its global peers.

Mining, transport, construction sectors found to have most B-BBEE fronting cases

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The B-BBEE Commission has indicated that more than 83 percent of the 822 complaints received since 2016 were due to fronting, with the mining, transport, construction and engineering sectors accounting for the bulk of the complaints.

Speaking at the launch of the B-BBEE Commission’s Investigations and Enforcement Webinar Session on Tuesday B-BBEE Commissioner Zodwa Ntuli said fronting remained the biggest challenge to the power of the B-BBEE Act to deliver on economic transformation.

At least 687 of the 822 complaints received by the B-BBEE Commission since 2016 were due to fronting – where a black person or entity is given a stake but does not get the powers associated with it.

Ntuli said fronting remained a scourge that needed to be rooted out if South Africa was to achieve its goal of an inclusive economy.

“The commission considers compliance with the B-BBEE Act as critical to achieve the envisaged change in the patterns of ownership through the transfer of productive assets of the South African economy to black people. Fronting and misrepresentation sabotage this with these fraudulent schemes and falsification of status.”

The commission said after fronting, falsified B-BBEE Certificates (70) and contractual complaints (42) accounted for the most common complaints received by the B-BBEE Commission. To date, about 386 cases had been finalised, of which 22 had been referred to the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), and seven had been referred to the National Prosecution Authority (NPA) and the SA Police Service (SAPS).

The B-BBEE Commission has in seven cases instituted proceedings in court to restrain any breach of the B-BBEE Act or to obtain appropriate remedial relief. Six entities have initiated review processes in the high court against the B-BBEE Commission.

B-BBEE Commissioner Zodwa Ntuli said the Commission wanted the public to know about these cases of fronting and misrepresentation of B-BBEE status to raise awareness of these practices that were detrimental to transformation and criminal in nature, with a view to identify and prevent them from occurring in our economy.

Ntuli said the Commission wanted the public to know about these cases of fronting and misrepresentation of B-BBEE status to raise awareness of these practices that were detrimental to transformation and criminal in nature, with a view to identify and preventing them from occurring in our economy. “Our ability to publish findings in cases is restricted by the act, and this has significantly affected communication to the public.”

The commission noted that a multitude of trends that constitute a criminal offence continue to undermine the objectives of the B-BBEE Act. “These trends include, among others, willing black participants to fronting, non-existent participants in broad-based ownership schemes and trusts, non-adherence to section 10 of the B-BBEE Act by organs of state and public entities, false or fraudulent B-BBEE Certificates and white people, Chinese people and foreign nationals claiming black ownership.”

The consequences are dire and any person convicted of fronting may be imprisoned for up to 10 years and an entity may be fined up to 10 percent of their annual turnover in accordance with Section 13O of the B-BBEE Act.

The B-BBEE Commission stated its aim to emphasise cancellation of contracts, licences, blacklisting of entities under the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act (PPPFA) and delinquency processes for those involved in addition to referral to criminal law enforcement agencies.

The B-BBEE Commission was created in 2016 after the 2013 amendments to the B-BBEE Act to oversee the implementation of the B-BBEE Act, which includes receiving complaints and acting against fronting practices and other violations of the B-BBEE Act.

The B-BBEE Act requires that all organs of state and public entities include B-BBEE requirements in determining qualification criteria for issuing of licences, concessions or other authorisations, sale of assets, incentives and grants, and implementation of preferential procurement.

BIL launches road freight management portal

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The new Bidtrans Portal provides real-time collaboration and interaction between clients and their deliveries via an online platform.

In a recent story covered in FleetWatch, we reported on Marcus Ellappan, director of road freight for Bidvest International Logistics (BIL), saying that the company has plans in place for an adjusted road-freight service offering which he believes will enable BIL’s road-freight division to offer faster and stronger supply-chain support in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. We promised to follow up on this and here we go…

The news is that BIL has now launched a new road-freight portal that will allow clients to manage deliveries seamlessly from start to end which, according to Ellappan, “takes away the pain of having to procure transport service providers and still manage them.”

The Bidtrans Portal provides real-time collaboration and interaction between clients and their deliveries – via an online platform – streamlining compliance matters, service deliveries, tracking, transport proof of deliveries (PODs) and invoicing. This will free up clients to spend more time running their businesses rather than managing the movement of their products.

The move online for freight-forwarding hasn’t been entirely without its hitches. This is evidenced via a report released last year by Deloitte’s transport practice in Germany which showed that global freight-forwarding companies involved in digitisation have run up against industry-specific obstacles

These include platform owners’ neglect to offer a customised service depending on the shippers’ specific requirements, a more consolidated way of invoicing, pricing that’s fixed, and guaranteed loading capacity. Other issues referred to in the report include ensuring a service that’s unquestionably reliable and robust; the need to involve several parties in the movement of the shipment; the temptation to expect immediate financial returns from investment in a platform; a conventional way of thinking; and the scarcity of capabilities to simultaneously explore and exploit, coupled with freight-forwarders’ digital talents.

BIL operates a multitude of warehouses and is thus fully aware of the potential delays associated with loading and offloading points.

“We’re not for one second questioning the validity of digitisation in freight-forwarding. It’s inevitable and makes business sense, especially in South Africa with the ground-transport issues the industry faces,” says Ellappan. “But we’re aware of the unspoken realities that industry incumbents or start-ups are facing as they’ve tried to establish digital platforms. Often players are swayed by the hype without understanding what the real challenges are, and then not being in a proven, credible position to effectively address them. There’s nothing worse than raising expectations and not delivering.”

The Bidtrans Portal will allow the company to source loading capacity seamlessly and meet client demand throughout the year. This in turn will allow BIL to offer an automated booking space service through the portal. Phase 1 of the platform’s launch is aimed at contracted customers while phase 2 will be aimed at the broader business-to-consumer market which will be more of an ad-hoc tariff structure.

“As the Deloitte report suggests, robust and rigid reliability are critical in transportation so Bidtrans Portal’s simple, easy-to-navigate look and feel will integrate the BIL systems to effectively manage load collection, tracking, delivery, POD uploading and invoicing on time.”

That said, the portal will still be flexible in how it responds to client requests by conforming to agreed service-level agreements that may differ from one client to the next. Most important is that should clients still prefer to liaise with key personnel at BIL, they have the option to do so. Those people are available on a 24-hour basis. The portal will enhance the existing customer experience, specifically for those customers who want to enjoy an automated service offering.

“What many well-intended market disruptors sometimes forget is that the Uber model is based on people ‘loading’ themselves and the reality – and, in this case, our model – is based on a solid understanding of what it is to load a 20kg product or a 36-pallet shipment on the correct transport asset,” says Ellappan.

“We operate a multitude of warehouses, so we’re fully aware of the potential delays associated with loading and offloading points and therefore have incorporated a tracking module to proactively mitigate the risks surrounding a potential miss in on-time delivery in full.”

Addressing the issue of multiparty involvement with moving shipments, a driver will be briefed on new collection points and any special requirements but the process will remain basic and resilient: client – BIL – consignor – transit – consignee – POD – invoice.

“The market has to start eliminating the huge amount of manual administration involved with simply booking a load and we’re under no illusions about that,” says Ellappan. “The phone calls to various parties trying to secure space – or emailing a delivery instruction – can be a lengthy process when compared to the seamless nature of online ordering.”

Marcus Ellappan, director of road freight for Bidvest International Logistics; “Digitisation in freight-forwarding is inevitable and makes business sense, especially in South Africa with the ground-transport issues the industry faces.”

The Bidtrans Portal will eventually launch an application for mobile use as well and one of the key features to combat a conventional way of working is Bidtrans’s escalations offering – loads not assigned will be escalated for management action in the company.

“As with any new product, users may take a while to warm to it because of an ingrained tendency to use what’s familiar and tested. However, we’re of the firm belief that once they experience the reduction in manual activities, the track-and-trace function, the ease of online ordering and equally important, its ability to uphold solid compliance management, people won’t want to go back to the manual way of working,” says Ellappan.

In essence, the company is providing a digitised platform that’s sustainable and makes a meaningful difference for its clients, without losing the all important personal contact and query resolution that has always been the cornerstone of the company’s success.

Bob Dylan sang it: “The times they are a’changing.”

MAN FLIES THE SA FLAG!

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MAN Automotive has come up with an extremely novel concept: a limited edition of trucks painted in the colours of the South African flag. CHARLEEN CLARKE reveals the story behind the creation of these extraordinary vehicles

From bad to good. That’s what the SA Flag Limited Edition trucks personify, as Eren Gündüz, chief operating officer at MAN Automotive, says: “They symbolise the incredible success of the MAN brand in South Africa.”

As recently as 2016, MAN’s market share wasn’t anything to write home about. “We were sitting at a little less than 7%, and we were obviously not happy with that. Our team worked incredibly hard to change that situation and, last year, we achieved 14%,” he reveals.

Gündüz and his team decided that they wanted to show their appreciation to customers. “MAN has been in the country for a very long time – uninterrupted. Especially given the fact that we were facing a pandemic, we decided that we wanted to do something very special for South Africa. We love and appreciate the country and we wanted to show this. We decided to come up with something that would pay tribute to South Africa and its people. Our trucks are our lifeline. All our goods and commodities are moved by truck! We thought about all sorts of different ideas and came up with the SA Flag Limited Edition. The flag exemplifies the spirit of the country, after all,” he notes.

There are 12 SA Flag Limited Edition trucks, says Robbie Virgili, head of retail truck sales at MAN Automotive. “We took the six colours of the SA flag and painted two trucks in each colour. We selected the 26.480 Efficient Line, which has the best fuel consumption in the country,”
he explains.

“The trucks have been pimped up with all the bells and whistles. We fitted leather seats, bullbars, stone guards, roof bars, special floor mats and side skirts. The whole vehicle is colour coded outside. The hubs and side skirts employ the same colour.”

On the tool compartment flap of each truck, there is a South African flag and it also highlights the colour of that specific truck.

The trucks were kitted out at MAN’s new modification centre in Pietermaritzburg, which was opened just before lockdown. Gündüz explains that this centre is great news for local customers.

“When we sell a standard truck to a South African company, they often add extras. Then we have to send the trucks to various suppliers. A couple of times we experienced problems with suppliers drilling in the wrong place. The damage is irreversible. To stop this situation, we opened our own modification centre. We have our own technicians and they use MAN-approved fitment methods and tools. A full warranty is offered,” he says.

While the trucks were undergoing their metamorphosis at the modification centre, they were under the watchful eye of Hayden Wright, senior salesman at MAN’s Pinetown branch. Virgili and Gündüz are unanimous: “He managed the whole fitment process and did a fantastic job.”

Modifying the trucks was an effortless task, thanks to the skilled team of technicians. Getting MAN from 7% to 14% market share required considerably more effort. “We decided on a process of continuous improvement. It has been a huge amount of hard work. We have implemented a massive number of projects aimed at improvement. In aftersales alone, we introduced 22 projects,” reveals Gündüz.

For the MAN team, the top priority was uptime. “This has increased our customer satisfaction. Even in lockdown, our focus on uptime and customer satisfaction never waned. In fact, we started working two shifts at our workshops to support essential services customers. Whenever there was a requirement, our teams were there to support the customers. This made a big impact. When the market is difficult for customers, special support is so important. We tried to do everything possible for our customers – and this has paid dividends. Our customers will never forget this,” he contends.

Prior to lockdown, the MAN team doubled their truck stock (kit orders). “It was difficult to convince Germany to support us, but they did. We did not know if the ships would be working and whether or not the containers would arrive. We didn’t want to take any chances that could result in us disappointing customers. Yes, this was a massive investment, but it was the right thing to do,” notes Gündüz. The parts inventory was also increased by 25% before lockdown – for exactly the same reason.

He believes that good teamwork helped the company along its path of success. “When I look at 2016 versus today, we have only changed two senior managers. The right people were in the right place. We empowered and supported them. The team has done a great job. MAN has four values – team, respect, integrity and determination – and this governs every aspect of the way in which we do business,” he says.

“We respect the market, which has its own dynamics and challenges. We are determined to grow market share. We always work with integrity. Instead of giving the customers what we have, we try to listen and give them what they need. Sometimes big corporate companies forget the customer. But we put our customers at the very centre, and everything is around uptime.

“Just consider the telematics systems in Europe. They simply don’t work here. Therefore, we created a local solution that gives the customers exactly what they need. In South Africa, security concerns are paramount. Therefore, we designed our system around this need.”

The system is provided free of charge for three months with every new MAN truck purchased. “We also offer stolen vehicle recovery as standard. This is what our customers need. If the driver goes off route, alarms automatically go off. In Europe they don’t have these security concerns,” he notes.

These policies, coupled with lots of hard work, have really paid dividends. “Last year we were rated number one in truck sales. This year, I am thrilled to announce that we are number one in the market in terms of the combined results – truck sales, parts and service,” says Gündüz with a big smile. “In fact, four of our branches received 100% customer satisfaction in August.”

While truck sales, parts and service are flying, so too is the TopUsed organisation. “When the market is tough (and it is right now), used sales always grow. Plus, new vehicle prices are increasing due to the currency devaluation. The same has not happened to used. Accordingly, we knew that the business would grow. This is going to be a record year for TopUsed. We’ve never sold more than 90 used trucks in a single month. But we sold 119 in July and 92 in August. September is also looking good,” he reports.

He acknowledges that “staying at the top is more difficult than getting there. But we will work hard and come up with innovative ideas.”

One such innovative idea, of course, is the SA Flag Limited Edition concept.

“Seven have already been sold. Interestingly, bus fleets are buying them to transport cargo. This is because bus commuters often have lots of luggage when going cross-border (especially to countries such as Zimbabwe). Typically, a trailer has been towed behind the coach. But now, that’s simply inadequate. Accordingly, bus and coach operators are now going into the trucking business too,” Gündüz reveals.

Virgili adds some customers are rewarding their top drivers with a SA Flag Limited Edition truck. “We are putting a lot of money into them and, yes, they are more expensive than a regular truck. But it is a great driver incentive. Those drivers are beyond excited at the opportunity to drive one of these striking vehicles,” he says.

Customers can only purchase one truck; no more than one SA Flag Limited Edition MAN is being sold to a single fleet. “We wanted to make them as exclusive as possible,” Virgili explains.

And what if a customer approaches MAN and wants to order 100 of these incredible trucks? “We won’t take the order; there will only ever be 12 of these trucks,” he insists.

Now, the challenge is to come up with an even more innovative concept for 2021. “That’s going to be tough! But we have a great team of people at MAN. I am sure that we will come up with something,” predicts Gündüz.

Hopefully, they will. But one thing is certain: it’s going to be very hard to top a SA Flag Limited Edition truck.