CAPE TOWN-based NFS Industrial Machinery’s promise to its customers is ‘Lifting your business to new heights’. However, the company itself is flying high with increasing inroads into the local materials handling equipment sector.
The latest example is the delivery of ten forklifts to the well-known Worcester packaging manufacturer APL Cartons, the first of a multi-machine deal that will see the provision of more than 20 units in all.
One of the keys to clinching the deal is that NFS has the sole agency for a product in the materials handling business that is increasingly making a name for itself – its range of Hyundai Forklifts.
Managing director of the company Alistair Chalmers says the Hyundai forklifts provided so far to APL Cartons are all diesel powered with lifting capacities ranging between 2.5 up to 5 tons.
According to Chalmers the packaging company is now standardising on Hyundai’s, replacing a variety of other well-known makes. “APL chose us after extensive research which covered aspects such as machine efficiency, service back-up, pricing and so on”, Chalmers says.
While Worcester is some distance from Cape Town, NFS will be closely monitoring the performance of each unit through the use of its Tectra Telematics installed systems, which provides instant measurement of such crucial factors as oil pressure, hours used, idling times, temperatures, speeds and even impacts.
Also, there is a wide range of components held in stock at APL. Should the client require NFS’ direct intervention in case of a breakdown, a technical team will be on site within 30 minutes.
According to Chalmers NFS had a very successful effort last year, when 300 units were sold. Should the trend continue, he predicts sales figures of around 500 units this year. If the company succeeds, it will surely make it the envy of many a competitor.
Already, for the team at NFS, 2011 started off with a bang. It was awarded the lucrative contract of supplying forklifts to Transnet Port Terminals.
The subject award has led to NFS supplying Transnet with counterbalanced forklifts for use at the Port of Ngqura, Port Elizabeth.
The company considers it a great achievement to have been selected from so many contenders, even the bigger players in the market.
Evidence of the growing success was high-lighted recently with handing over three 2.5 ton Reach Trucks, with 9 metre lifting heights, to Cape Town-based food processor Orley Foods.
The Hyundai range includes units with lifting capacities starting from 1.5T up to 25T and which are powered by diesel, LPG or electric. Importantly, they are fitted with EU Stage 3 and 4 emissions rated engines which make them environmentally most friendly.