CIMC: lowering TCO for operators

Every prudent transport operator works towards achieving the lowest possible total cost of ownership (TCO). Gavin Aboud, Sales Manager at CIMC Vehicles SA, explains that trailers can play a pivotal role in this quest.

According to Aboud, CIMC Vehicles SA has been producing trailers that elevate the level of quality and service currently seen in the industry in South Africa since September 2015. “Our focus is on constantly refining our trailers to be the most efficient, capable and innovative. We achieve this by focusing on integrating technology and efficiency into our manufacturing processes, developing next-generation ideas for durability and longevity, and incorporating a higher level of organisation into our corporate structure,” he tells FOCUS.

The company is owned by China International Marine Containers (CIMC) International, one of the largest commercial industrial conglomerates in China. “With over 50% share of the international container business, CIMC has been the biggest container manufacturing company in the world since 1996. The Shenzhen-headquartered, public-listed organisation has since branched into the manufacture of road transport vehicles, including logistics and construction vehicles. CIMC Group – with an employee complement of over 60 000 people – also designs and manufactures energy, chemical and food equipment, airport facilities, off-shore equipment, and is engaged in the real estate and finance industries through its more than 300 subsidiaries in operation around the world,” Aboud reveals.

The company’s global muscle means that a wide product range is on offer in South Africa. “CIMC persists in the management idea of ‘global operation and local knowledge’,” explains Aboud. “Accordingly, the company provides first-class road transport equipment and services to the global market, mainly all kinds of special vehicles and related parts and service. With CIMC’s worldwide factories and research and development centres in the United States, Europe, Australia and China in support, over 1 000 different models of transport vehicles and logistics equipment can be designed and sourced right here in South Africa.”

This doesn’t mean, however, that business is just plain sailing. Naturally, the transport and trailer industry faces challenges – just like many other sectors. “Given the instability of our country and the rampant crime and looting, transport vehicles have become targets. This results in downtime and thus additional costs to supply chains,” Aboud notes.