Pilot Crushtec's recent focus on the crushing and screening market in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) has met with considerable success, following its decision to grow its footprint in the province earlier this year.

 A surge of sales into KZN has seen both Pilot Modular as well as mobile equipment being sold into the crushing and screening market.

Regional sales manager Nicolan Govender explains that several pieces of crushing and screening equipment, including two complete Pilot Modular plants, have already been purchased by KZN customers. "We decided that the time was right to take a more aggressive approach in marketing our products in KZN and our decision has proved to be correct." Govender, who is now based in the province, makes the point that this business has been gained at the expense of competitors with a long established presence in the region.

"What has made the difference, is our approach. We spend a lot of time with a prospective customer, getting to understand all the facets of their operation - not just crushing and screening.
Distance has also not proven to be an obstacle. "KZN is a very big province so the fact that Pilot Crushtec is based in Jet Park, east of Johannesburg, has not proved to be a disadvantage, either in terms of ensuring regular contact or delivering our service offerings."

Govender uses as an example of a recent case in which a contractor based in Kokstad had his first taste of Pilot Crushtec service when he established that he needed a replacement part late on a Friday afternoon. "He phoned our SupportLink emergency number and a service technician arrived the next morning, fitted the part, and by early afternoon he was back in full production," he says, adding that customers fully understand that this is just how Pilot Crushtec does things.

Applications where he believes the products will derive substantial benefits for their users include coal mining, aggregate production and recycling, the latter becoming increasingly important where illicit dumping is a major concern.