Commitment to after-sales support and service is equally important to the product being sold to the customer, according to the philosophy of a leading bearings and power transmission components distributor, Bearings 2000. The Johannesburg-based company is an authorised distributor of world-renowned INA and FAG bearings, and is also the exclusive distributor of the affordable range of NIS Bearings and accessories.
Bearings 2000 director Nick Stamatiadis notes, however, that the product range is only as good as the accompanying service provided by the distributor. "Bearings 2000 is an established supplier of ready-to-use mechanical component products; however, in an increasingly-competitive market, it is important to provide a comprehensive all-in-one solutions package as part of an overall value-added service, in order to exceed clients' expectations," he explains.
From left: Bearing 2000's Gavin Bentley, marketing director; Michael Stamatiadis, marketing manager; Nick Stamatiadis, director; and Alex Stamatiadis, technical manager.
To ensure that the highest-standards of service are consistently-maintained, Stamatiadis points out that in addition to providing quality products, Bearings 2000 offers all its clients additional servicing equipment for machinery, and around-the-clock technical support and advice from qualified engineers. "Due to the growing complexity of modern machinery, there is an increased demand from industrial applications for expert assistance and backup - relating to procurement, replacement and reconditioning of machinery and the related components," he explains. "Bearings 2000 strives to ensure that qualified and experienced field service engineers are constantly available to assist the customer in increasing production and efficiency, by providing proactive maintenance and comprehensive technical assessments of all necessary plant components."
Bearings 2000 marketing manager Michael Stamatiadis, points out that engineers are available in emergency situations on a 24-hour basis, regardless of location. "In the case of an emergency breakdown, Bearings 2000 will immediately send out an engineer to not only identify and diagnose the reasons for failure, but to offer the best solution to the problem."
He says that Bearings 2000 also offers equipment relating to day-to-day inspections and preventative maintenance. "Bearings 2000 stocks a wide variety of condition monitoring systems, which assess any changes in the vibration behaviour of a plant, over time. This enables the user to detect incipient damage at an early stage, while ultimately preventing unscheduled downtime."
Stamatiadis confirms that Bearings 2000 also provides dedicated customer training in numerous applications; including, mounting of bearings, lubrication, laser alignment, condition monitoring and maintenance management. "We offer training courses which range from the basic fitting of bearings, to more advanced maintenance courses. Training typically lasts around one day, and can be carried out either onsite, or at a Bearings 2000 branch."
He says this value-added service is ideally suited to heavy industries such mining and manufacturing, where the reliability of machinery is , and identifies a large steel and vanadium slag producer as an example of a client taking advantage of the service. "Bearings 2000 has been commissioned by a large steel project in Limpopo to undertake the inspection of the bearings on a steel mill every two weeks, in order to ensure that unscheduled downtime is avoided at all costs."
Although the after-sales service package is essential to overall productivity, he admits that some businesses are reluctant to seek outside service and advice, or adopt new technology. "A number of manufacturers in South Africa have not yet identified the advantages of additional add-on services for their machinery. However, the mindset in the industry is slowly beginning to change, and I believe that with increased market education, the demand for these services will increase on a national scale."
As part of the company's commitment to improve customer service in all areas of business, Nick Stamatiadis points out that Bearings 2000 recently opened a new branch in the Johannesburg CBD. "The opening of the new branch in Johannesburg will provide clients in the area with greater access to the products and services that they require; thereby, improving production and efficiency. Now with three dedicated branches located nationwide, Bearings 2000 is in a strong position to increase its value-added service capabilities to all clients," he concludes.
[From Left to Right jpg] From left: Bearing 2000's Gavin Bentley, marketing director; Michael Stamatiadis, marketing manager; Nick Stamatiadis, director; and Alex Stamatiadis, technical manager.
