Page 31 - Logistics News - March_April 2023

C O MPANY NE W S

Smart, zero-emission bolting

solutions optimise sustainability

Mines and general industry are transforming
to automated, zero-carbon, battery-driven
machines, equipment and tools in a bid to
Webfleet launches in Botswana achieve their economic and environmental

goals. Atlas Copco Industrial Technique’s range
Bridgestone’s fleet management solution, Webfleet,
of smart, high-quality bolt-tightening hardware
is launching its third African presence in Botswana by
and software solutions contributes to the
partnering with Kgare Digital to bring high-end tech
sustainability of these sectors across South Africa
skills, much-needed investment and jobs to the country.
by optimising productivity and efficiencies, Cornelius Coetzee,
Webfleet’s partnership in Botswana joins the company’s
increasing personnel safety and shrinking carbon Regional General
presence in South Africa and Namibia, the first two Manager at Atlas
footprints.
African markets where Webfleet started to conduct Copco Industrial
business to improve logistics client business efficiency Technique.
The scope of supply includes the bolting
while contributing to the safety of road users.
tool plus two smart batteries and a smart charger; while one battery
is operational, the other can be charged from the grid or a renewable
“Being part of Bridgestone, we recognised the
energy source. Supporting the tools are fully customisable software
opportunity to leverage the companies’ large African
packages that offer on-screen operator instructions, weekly or monthly
presence to expand the telematics and connected vehicle
reporting as well as more complex offerings such as remote viewing and
solutions we provide as well,” says Webfleet South Africa
automatic torque setting selection.
Sales Director, Justin Manson. “With three markets now
offering dedicated resources to transport and logistics
Regional General Manager at Industrial Technique Cornelius Coetzee
customers in those markets, it’s the right time to expand
says that mobile capital equipment operating in the stringent plant and
in the Southern African Development Community (SADC)
mine environments requires regular maintenance or repairs. “When
region.”
these machines and equipment have to be moved off-site, productivity
takes a dive.” It is subsequently vital that the necessary maintenance
Telematics will provide a similar service to what is
or repair work is completed as fast as possible. By switching to a smart
being offered in Namibia, from basic vehicle tracking
bolting tool solution, customers will benefit from improved efficiency,
to comprehensive fleet management, including
accuracy and safety. Coetzee explains that Industrial Technique’s range
live diagnostic data collection and real-time route
of bolting tools is calibrated in its local in-house laboratory in accordance
optimisation. Additional advanced solutions, like onboard
with OEM specifications using reference equipment that meets South
cameras and other hardware will be brought in on an
African (SANAS) and global standards. “What this means is that each
as-needed basis or from customer requests. Customers
bolt can be tightened accurately with only a single pull of the trigger as
can expect to see improvements in fuel and maintenance
opposed to multiple attempts. By even just halving the time means that
costs, safer drivers and road users, and a boost in
two machines can effectively be assembled in the same time it would
productivity.
have taken to complete a single unit. Mines and plants can get back into
operation in half the time, doubling their productivity.”
In Botswana, Webfleet has partnered with Kgare
Digital, the on-the-ground team that will provide sales
In addition, Industrial Technique’s software solutions work in parallel
capabilities, training and delivery of services. Kgare
with the hardware. The fully customisable bolting tool software system
Digital’s General Manager, Malebogo Busang, says the
makes it possible to view and identify machinery located anywhere in the
investment by Webfleet will not only provide quality
country and see how many bolts need loosening and/or tightening from
jobs in the sector, but see the beginning of a new sector.
Industrial Technique’s Gauteng facility.
“I think we are at a good state of readiness from a sales
perspective and we already have a team of technicians, IT
Industrial Technique’s ‘easy start’ programme trains operators on
support, finance and other admin functions,” Busang says.
the optimal use of the tools. The training team also spends time on the
“Tracking services are still very new to the market, so this
job site, addressing operator expectations and ensuring that they are
team will be part of the vital journey to build advanced
comfortable with the tools. •
capabilities in telematics and the logistics sector. •
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