ON THE COVER

Capital Equipment News’ Juanita Pienaar sat down with Avinash Singh, Sales & Marketing Director – EV & Hydrogen Trucks, South Africa Business Unit, SANY Group, to discuss the company’s bold entrance into the African electric heavy truck market and how battery-swapping technology could redefine logistics across the continent.

ON THE COVER

Standing tall: Zoomlion’s rise in South Africa’s crane market

Capital Equipment News’ Juanita Pienaar spoke with Rob Cook, Director of ZLT Cranes, to explore the journey of Zoomlion cranes in South Africa – from an unknown Chinese import to a market staple with proven longevity and value. When Zoomlion mobile cranes first landed on South African soil in January 2007, few could have predicted the impact they would have on the local crane industry. For Rob Cook and Mark Bates, who were then working for the original importer, the decision to introduce an untested Chinese OEM into a traditionally conservative market was bold - and, as it turns out, visionary.

ON THE COVER: The Hitachi BX100 Backhoe Loader is a machine that embodies the Japanese philosophy of SHINRAI, which translates to trust, capability, and reliability. Designed with these core values in mind, the BX100 is engineered to meet the toughest demands of the African terrain, offering reliability, durability and simplicity. This robust machine is built for operational and cost efficiency, ensuring optimal performance on any project.

ON THE COVER:  Volvo CE has once again raised the bar in the articulated hauler market with the introduction of its latest generation models. The newly unveiled A50 hauler is a standout addition, designed to bridge a gap in the market while delivering increased productivity, improved fuel efficiency, and unparalleled operator comfort.

Lance Mannix of Babcock International Group, Volvo CE’s distribution partner in southern Africa, confirms that the company will introduce the A35, A40, A45, and the new A50 in the near future (estimated arrival May/June 2025) (mid-2025) and the introduction of the A30 and A60 following later (dates unconfirmed at this stage).  

“These models were specifically chosen as direct replacements for our existing proven range, with the A50 offering a new level of capability at 50 tonnes,” he explains.

ON THE COVER: The South African transport, freight and logistics sector is a large and growing sector, buoyed especially by the lack of a functional rail network in the country. Predictions are that the Compound annual growth rate (CAGR) will be around 3,5% over the next five years to 2030. This rate is informed by the economic growth of the region (not dramatic, but also not negative) and the slowly improving manufacturing situation. However, the country’s location as a gateway to Sub-Saharan Africa is perhaps the main reason why such growth can be expected. South Africa is a powerhouse in the region, with ports and the ability to service the many landlocked countries in the region.