Capital Equipment News spoke with Neil Kendrick, Technical Director at Concord Access Solutions (CAS), about his journey in the industry, the company’s refurbishment centre, its national parts distribution strategy, and the introduction of the New Terex Franna crane to the local market. By Juanita Pienaar
Two divisions, one goal
CAS operates in two clear areas: rentals and sales/after-sales. “There’s a complete rental division, with five branches across South Africa,” Kendrick explains. “We have about 1,100 access machines nationally, with the largest branch here in Midrand, holding around 465 machines.”
On the other side sit sales and after-sales. “My division doesn’t rent at all,” he says firmly. “We represent all the brands, carry out sales, service, and parts support. The goal is to keep machines running and give customers the reassurance of full lifecycle support.”
That support extends beyond the conventional. “If a customer has a number of machines on one site and doesn’t want to employ their own technicians, we can arrange a man-on-site service,” Kendrick explains. “It’s about ensuring uptime and reducing stress for the end-user.”
The refurbishment advantage
The jewel in the crown of CAS’s recent expansion is its refurbishment centre, which has been operational for less than a year. “We started moving in last November,” Kendrick says. “At the moment, we’re fully refurbishing around six machines per month. By October, I believe we’ll be up to 12.”
The process is meticulous, beginning with intake inspections. “All our technicians work on a mobile app called Asset Pool,” he notes. “Each product has about 50 inspections loaded, from service to pre-delivery and security checks. The intake inspection is just to capture the condition in which the machine arrives – it ensures transparency with the customer.”
Once machines move through washing, technical inspections, and quotation approval, the real work begins. “You’re giving the machine a second life and buying it at 60% of what a new machine would be,” Kendrick stresses. “At the moment we are ranging between 40% and 61% of new. If the refurbishment cost goes above 65%, then the customer needs to start considering the financial case for a new machine. But below that threshold, refurbishment makes a lot of sense.”
The savings are tangible, but the benefits don’t stop there. “Sustainability is a big driver,” he adds. “Instead of scrapping a machine, we can refurbish it. Instead of buying new, we can give you another option. Globally, companies are looking at how to improve sustainability in their operations. Refurbishment is one of those answers.”
A fully equipped facility
The new facility is designed for efficiency. Machines move through sandblasting, non-destructive testing, spraying, painting, and final quality checks before load testing. It even has a 5-tonne crane for major repairs.
“Most of the machines we see are between 10 and 17 years old,” Kendrick explains. “We give them a second life. The main wearing items are pins, bushes, boom cables, hydraulic components, and, of course, engines. Those we replace with genuine parts.”
To streamline the process, CAS has developed refurbishment kits. “If the machine only requires a standard kit, the process can take two to three weeks,” he says. “Sometimes additional parts are needed, which can add time, but the aim is speed without compromise on quality.”
National parts distribution
Supporting the refurbishment centre and customer fleet is a new Parts Distribution Centre (PDC). “We stock about R49 million worth of parts nationally,” Kendrick notes. “We order six months’ worth of fast-moving items, distribute three months’ supply to branches, and keep three months here.”
The system ensures customers aren’t left waiting. “Of course, unusual failures can take longer, but for common issues we always carry stock,” he adds. “If a customer has a unit down and it’s critical, we’ll even fly parts in. Normal shipping takes five to seven days for flown parts, or six weeks by sea.”
Training for technicians and operators
CAS is also investing in training. “We’ll have a training academy for both operators and technicians,” Kendrick reveals. “It’s not just for our own staff but also for customers. For operators, it’s about familiarisation and licensing, which must be renewed every two years. For technicians, we provide hand-over training, covering maintenance and diagnostics to help customers maximise uptime.”
The academy will begin with CAS’ core strengths. “For the first six months to a year, we’ll focus on access machines and cranes,” he says. “After that, we’ll consider extending into other product lines, because the expertise is here.”
The Franna arrival
Alongside refurbishment and after-sales growth, CAS has introduced the Franna pick-and-carry crane to South Africa. “Franna is originally an Australian product, started in 1976,” Kendrick explains. “Today, they build around 700 pick-and-carry cranes per year. Ninety percent of those stay in Australia, where they dominate the market.”
The model showcased at the launch was the FR 17, built in India to the same specifications as the Australian machines. “It’s a mobile crane you can drive to a site, lift, balance, and move loads without outriggers,” he says. “It’s ideal for tight spaces, such as power stations, mining, industrial, chemical plants, harbours and building sites, where mobility is critical.”
Premium brands, trusted support
Kendrick is clear about CAS’ positioning. “We are strictly about elevating excellence; all our brands are premium brands,” he says. “They’re all long-established machines with strong legacies, backed by direct links to the OEMs. That means parts, service, and technical support are never in question.”
It’s a model designed to build trust and sustainability in equal measure. “Our unique selling point is exactly that – you buy from us, and we look after you, whether it’s service, parts, or technicians on site. That’s the CAS difference.”
Keeping machines running and businesses moving
CAS is positioning itself as a one-stop partner for the access and lifting industry. With a refurbishment programme that delivers cost-effective sustainability, a national parts distribution network designed to minimise downtime, the launch of the Franna crane, and a forthcoming training academy for operators and technicians, the company is steadily building a reputation for reliability and innovation.
The message is clear: whether customers need new machines, a second life for ageing fleets, or long-term technical support, CAS has the expertise, infrastructure, and premium brands to deliver.
Talking point
“The jewel in the crown of CAS’s recent expansion is its refurbishment centre, which has been operational for less than a year.”
Neil Kendrick, Technical Director at Concord Access Solutions (CAS).
Machines move through sandblasting, non-destructive testing, spraying, painting, and final quality checks before load testing. It even has a 5-tonne crane for major repairs.
Supporting the refurbishment centre and customer fleet is a new Parts Distribution Centre (PDC).
The model showcased at the launch was the FR 17, built in India to the same specifications as the Australian machines and ideal for tight spaces, such as power stations, mining, industrial, chemical plants, harbours and building sites, where mobility is critical.
CAS is positioning itself as a one-stop partner for the access and lifting industry.
