Kwagga small plant from Hire It, a big hit in construction industry

The increasing demand for fibreoptic cable infrastructure has seen a Durban installer acquire eight Kwagga rammers from Hire It (Natal) (Pty) Ltd. This is testament to the success of the rugged and cost-effective range of small plant for the construction industry. The customer is very happy with the performance of the Kwagga rammers to date. The machines have come in for a few services, and we can see that they are handling the workload well. We have sold virtually all of our initial consignment, and so far have had no major comebacks. The range of Kwagga small plant for the construction industry is focused mainly on portable power generators, compaction, and concrete. It comprises generators, rammers, plate compactors, power floats, drive units, vibratory pokers, concrete/asphalt cutters (floor saws), scarifiers, and diaphragm and water pumps. By importing premium Honda engines, and assembling them with machine kits locally, we are able to offer strong, tough equipment at a much lower price point. We believe the engine is the heart of the machine, which is why we have opted for Honda, one of the leading air-cooled petrol engines on the market. Our products are well-suited for the African market, especially as we have kept them as simple and as robust as possible, but with a premium engine.

Apart from the boom in sub-contractors needing small plant for the niche fibreoptic cable installation market, we’ve also been supplying equipment to the Umhlanga Arch premier mixed-use development through our partnership Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) company Majozi Bros. Tool Hire. Virtually all of the small plant used on the Umhlanga Arch project has been ours. Other flagship projects include the OceanDune development, also in Umhlanga, and the extensions to the Sun Coast Casino and the Gateway Theatre of Shopping. The hire industry is the ultimate test for any machine, and we are thrilled with the results of our Kwagga small plant range. This also helps us to consolidate our spares holding and back-up.

In anticipation of the growing popularity of the Kwagga small plant range, we will ensure sufficient stockholding and launch a concerted marketing drive in 2019. However, the success to repeat business and happy customers remains superlative aftermarket service. Aftermarket support is very important to our customers. Their businesses rely on our machines working. Being dealers for our various brands like Makita, Yamaha, Bosch, Husqvarna, and Honda means we are able to back-up our equipment, in addition to having access to sufficient spares. Where necessary, we will lend a customer one of our machines to keep them up and running. We like to give our customers training and advice on the optimal use of the equipment. With most machines, carrying out daily minor service can go a long way in improving the reliability and longevity. We also educate our customers on the correct start-up and operating and shutdown procedures, which translates into fewer breakdowns. It is no secret that construction has had a tough year. However, by offering good products and service at a reasonable price, we have managed to keep our business ticking along nicely. Joining up with our B-BBEE joint venture partners has also opened new doors for us. We have also learnt a lot about the state of the industry, and the emerging trends as it continues to evolve. We are starting 2019 in a good position and we are ready for our new ventures and exciting projects!