Juanita Pienaar spoke with Shonel Reddy (Financial Director, Andru Mining); Craig “Sheppie” Shepherd (Key Account Manager, Barloworld Equipment); Douglas Morris (Executive Head: Sales & Supply Chain, Barloworld Equipment); Joe Naicker (Plant Director, Andru Mining); and Andronicca Masemola (Chief Executive Officer, Barloworld Equipment Southern Africa) during the official handover of the only CAT D8 Centenary Edition dozer in Africa - finished in the original Catepillar grey.
As Barloworld Equipment and Caterpillar celebrate 100 years of engineering, innovation, and partnership, this rare machine stands as much more than a high-performance earthmover; it is a symbol of trust, loyalty, and a relationship four decades in the making.
Honouring a century of innovation
Addressing guests, customers, suppliers, and Barloworld staff, CEO Andronicca Masemola opened the event by placing the celebration in historical context.
“For 100 years Caterpillar has been at the forefront of building a better world,” she said. “Whether it is infrastructure or mining projects much needed to drive human progress, we have been there with our customers, building nations.”
Masemola emphasised that this centenary milestone is both a celebration and a reminder of the values that have shaped Caterpillar and its dealer network: integrity, innovation, resilience, and unwavering customer support.
“As we reflect upon the years, we remind ourselves of the values that have guided us: integrity, innovation, and customer first,” she said. “These principles have allowed us to navigate challenges, embrace opportunities, and not only survive but thrive.”
The centenary D8 - painted in the classic Caterpillar grey used between 1925 and 1938 - embodies this heritage. Barloworld secured only one D8 for Southern Africa, and it was allocated to Andru Mining, a customer with an extraordinary history of commitment to the brand.
“This special piece is the only one in its class in Southern Africa,” Masemola said. “It is a symbol of our commitment to quality and innovation. May this equipment not only serve your needs but also remind you of the strong bond we have cultivated over the years.”
A partnership forged in loyalty
For Barloworld Equipment, the handover was not merely ceremonial. It was the recognition of a partnership spanning more than four decades - a relationship built on trust and shared resilience.
Douglas Morris, Executive Head of Sales and Supply Chain at Barloworld Equipment, highlighted the significance.
“We’ve been dealing with Andru Mining for 40 years as a company,” he said. “There’s a really great trust relationship between us, and they’re exceptionally loyal. They are by far our biggest D8 customer - in fact, I believe one of the largest in the southern hemisphere.”
To date, Andru Mining has purchased over 58 D8 dozers from Barloworld and currently operates around 30 active units in its fleet.
Morris added that securing the Centenary Edition D8 required a special request to Caterpillar in the United States. “We were thrilled when the request was approved.”
The global allocation is exceptionally scarce – this one is number 51 of a limited edition of 75 centenary D8 machines.
Why Andru wanted the only centenary D8
For Andru Mining, the machine represents more than exclusivity - it is a tribute to a partnership that has stood the test of time.
Plant Director Joe Naicker explained that the journey began at the Bauma exhibition in Germany.
“We saw the machine at Bauma and said, ‘Why don’t we get one?’ We’ve got a lot of D8s, and we’ve gone through struggles together with Barloworld in terms of the issues they had at the time,” Naicker said. “But it was all about the partnership. We stuck with them over the years, and it proved worthwhile - the machines are running very well now. So, we said, since the machine exists, let’s have one to show that commitment.”
Financial Director Shonel Reddy added that the centenary machine was a natural fit for a customer so closely tied to Caterpillar’s D8 lineage.
“We were impressed by the long relationship between Barloworld and Caterpillar - 100 years - and we wanted to be part of that celebration,” she said. “We’ve bought more than 58 D8 dozers from Barloworld and Caterpillar. Because of that long-standing relationship, it made sense to take one of the centenary dozers into our fleet.”
Reddy noted the machine’s rarity with pride: “I think it’s a privilege to be the only customer on the continent of Africa to be handed the Centenary Edition dozer. It’s quite an honour.”
Built on grit, trust, and shared values
During the formal speeches, Reddy delivered an emotional message recognising the relationship’s depth.
“Today is about legacy - a partnership built on trust and the kind of grit that literally moves earth,” she said. “With approximately 140 Caterpillar machines in our fleet… we’re not just customers. We are committed custodians of the brand.”
She described a partnership shaped through the highs and lows of operations, market cycles, mechanical challenges, and industry pressures.
“We’ve faced many tangles together… but through it all, we resolved issues not as adversaries, but as partners. Machines may move earth, but it’s the people behind them who move the future.”
Reddy also emphasised the values Barloworld has demonstrated: empowerment, inclusivity, innovation, and strong customer focus. “We’re proud to be associated with a company that empowers women and strives to be a partner of choice. That’s not just good business - that’s good values.”
A machine with a future - and a legacy
Although the Centenary D8 is destined for a fully operational life, Andru Mining has chosen a “softer” site.
“This one will go into one of our coalfield projects in Mpumalanga,” Reddy said. Naicker added: “It’s an easier operation for the machine not as harsh as some of our other sites.”
Many around the world will keep their Centenary edition machines purely as collector’s pieces. Morris noted: “Some customers aren’t even going to use them - they’ll put them in museums as showpieces. That’s how rare they are.”
While Andru’s unit will earn its keep, Morris suspects its long-term home will be equally distinguished. “I don’t think they’ll ever sell it. After working it, I wouldn’t be surprised if they store it as a showcase piece.”
Built to be rebuilt
Although the Centenary Edition retains the classic D8 configuration, Barloworld emphasised the strength of Caterpillar’s rebuild philosophy.
“These machines are built to be rebuilt,” Morris said. “You can run a second life and sometimes even a third. That brings down total cost of ownership and improves cost per hour and cost per tonne.”
He highlighted that the serviceability advantages of the D8 remain a key selling point. “It’s quicker to service than competitor machines. Plug-and-play, reliable, and with exceptional resale value. You can turn your metal into cash far more easily.”
A relationship worth celebrating
Craig Shepherd, Andru’s long-time Key Account Manager at Barloworld, summarised the sentiment that ran through the event.
“Andru Mining and Barloworld have been doing business for over 40 years,” he said. “They currently have 30 D8s in operation and ordered another four last week. Since 2015 alone, they’ve purchased 56 D8s.”
He acknowledged past challenges - including the launch of a new series with transmission issues - but emphasised how the partnership endured.
“Andru stuck with us through all of it,” Shepherd said. “That loyalty means a great deal.”
Looking ahead to the next 100 years
As the ceremony concluded and the crowd moved outdoors to photograph the iconic grey dozer, Masemola offered a final reflection on the legacy being built.
“Together, we look forward to the next century of innovation and partnership,” she said. “Thank you for being an essential part of our journey. Here’s to the past, the present, and a future filled with promise and opportunity.”
The Centenary Edition Cat D8 now joins Andru Mining’s fleet not only as a powerful tool, but as a symbol of a relationship defined by endurance, respect, and the shared commitment to building the future - one machine, one project, one partnership at a time.
