Springbok in the Northern Cape is home to one of FUCHS Lubricants South Africa’s unique branches.
It supplies the complete lubrication requirements of leading mining businesses in the area.
Area Manager Dirk Coetzee explains that Springbok is part of a wider network serving the broader mining industry, including strategic locations such as Kuruman and Emalahleni. FUCHS Springbok currently services eight major customers and a host of smaller mining and private companies.
“What is interesting is that we are diversifying our reach in the Northern Cape region by branching out into other industrial sectors,” notes Coetzee.
He attributes this to the broad product range offered by FUCHS, combined with its focus on niche markets. Its exemplary customer service continues to distinguish the Springbok branch, with two field service technicians on standby to attend to any specific client issues.
With 24 years of experience, Coetzee maintains longstanding business relationships with his key clients. He began his career in the lubricants industry in November 1998 at Lubritene, which was subsequently acquired by FUCHS. “We grew rapidly and had to move premises a couple of times,” notes Coetzee. At that time, the focus was largely high-performance grease, but Coetzee quickly expanded the branch’s product offering to include commercial oils, which are also sold in Namibia.
Today the Springbok branch is six employees strong, including one in Namibia. There are two warehouses comprising 700 m2, together with offices and stores.
“We also offer our clients on-site services, pump-on services and much more,” highlights Coetzee. Stock is sourced from the main Isando, Johannesburg facility 1 400 km away. Due to the extensive logistics involved, Coetzee always ensures sufficient stock to meet the needs of the branch’s regional client base.
FUCHS has been a trusted partner of the global mining industry for over 85 years, offering a comprehensive range of lubricants for the arduous operating environments represented by surface and underground applications.