Juanita Pienaar spoke with Stefan Bekker, Business Line Manager Aftersales at Astec, to find out how the company’s rebuild and aftersales services are helping clients extend equipment life, optimise performance, and reduce environmental impact across Africa and the Middle East.
Rock-solid support from rock to road
Founded in 1972, Astec has built a global reputation for delivering state-of-the-art equipment backed by world-class customer service. “Astec was founded with the vision to apply creative thinking and state-of-the-art technology to traditionally low-tech industries,” explains Stefan Bekker. “Bolstered by a corporate culture renowned for putting customer service first, our market-leading brands have become a global leader in the manufacture of equipment from Rock to Road.”
Astec’s Johannesburg-based South African division plays a central role in supporting the broader region. “Astec Industries SA supports business relationships across Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia, providing a range of products and services to these regions,” says Bekker.
With a strong footprint across infrastructure, mining, and aggregate industries, equipment reliability remains a top priority. “Equipment reliability is crucial in these sectors as it directly impacts productivity, safety, and operational efficiency,” Bekker notes.
Rebuilds that rival new
Astec’s full overhaul rebuild services provide a strategic alternative to purchasing new equipment, offering both economic and environmental benefits. “Astec’s rebuild services involve restoring equipment to OEM ‘like-new’ condition by replacing worn or damaged parts, upgrading components, and ensuring the machine meets current performance standards,” Bekker explains.
This comprehensive approach sets a high standard. “Our method is a full overhaul: complete disassembly, inspection, and replacement or repair of all parts to bring the machine to like-new condition as per OEM specifications and standards,” he adds. “This is our default standard unless otherwise advised by the client or in an emergency repair.”
The most commonly rebuilt items include key assets from the mining and aggregate sectors. “Mining and aggregate equipment, such as our entire crusher range, vibrating equipment, and other major components, are typically sent in for rebuilds.”
Clients can rest assured that rebuilt machines offer performance on par with new units. “The QC and quality process involved is the same as for new equipment,” Bekker confirms.
A Sustainable and collaborative approach
Beyond the cost advantages, rebuilds offer a tangible sustainability edge. “By refurbishing and reusing components instead of discarding entire machines, rebuilding significantly cuts down on industrial waste,” Bekker says. “Rebuilding is usually cheaper than buying new, providing a more economical option.”
The process is highly collaborative. “The piece of equipment remains the property of our client. As such, it is of utmost importance that the client is actively involved following our assessment,” Bekker explains. “Their engagement is essential in ensuring they have full peace of mind regarding the necessary full overhaul requirements to ensure customer satisfaction and long-term reliability.”
A typical rebuild spans several weeks from start to finish, depending on equipment type and the complexity of the overhaul. While full overhauls are performed at Astec’s Johannesburg facility, smaller repairs can be completed on-site by the experienced service team.
To determine what needs to be repaired or replaced, the team performs rigorous inspections. “The assessment involves a thorough inspection of the machine by our QC department in accordance with our OEM standards and drawings,” says Bekker.
Long-term partnership and peace of mind
For Astec, rebuilds aren’t simply a repair job; they’re part of a broader commitment to aftersales excellence. “The repair process is a critical component of our broader aftersales strategy,” Bekker says. “It aligns directly with our commitment to extending equipment life cycles, optimising performance, and delivering long-term value to our clients.”
This commitment includes support well beyond the workshop. “Yes, we offer a standard three-month warranty,” he notes. “However, Astec will support the client on a failure that indicates premature failure that wasn’t caused by operational issues or lack of maintenance.”
Rather than pointing to a single standout rebuild, Bekker sees success in every completed project. “With our product offerings that form part of the critical production requirements, we, as Astec, see every repair as successful that significantly benefited our clients,” he says. “It provides them with peace of mind when it comes to the reliability and performance of their equipment.”
Meeting evolving industry demands
As industries evolve, so too do the needs of customers and the capabilities of OEMs. Astec’s aftersales team is constantly adapting its services. “Astec is continuously evolving its rebuild services to meet changing industry needs by incorporating new technologies and expanding its service offerings,” Bekker says.
One key driver of long-term partnerships is the company’s consistent on-site presence. “Our on-site support remains a critical component in ensuring client success, particularly as we continue to introduce advanced technologies to the market,” Bekker explains. “Our presence not only provides timely technical assistance but also ensures that our clients benefit from the full capabilities of the solutions we deliver.”
According to Bekker, demand for rebuild services has remained stable in recent years - an indicator of client trust and satisfaction. “We’ve had a steady demand for repair over the past few years, indicating client trust and satisfaction in our long-term partnership.”
Looking ahead, Bekker says Astec is excited about what’s next. “At Astec, we are driven by our vision statement: ‘To build industry-changing solutions that create life-changing opportunities.’ With this guiding principle, we are always excited to be part of emerging initiatives and transformative technologies.”
Astec’s approach to rebuilds exemplifies a future-forward mindset: one that values customer relationships, embraces technological evolution, and delivers reliable, sustainable outcomes. For industries that demand performance without compromise, rebuilds may be the smartest investment yet.
