Due to keen pricing, low operating costs and the reliability of its range of loaders, Lovol has awarded multi-franchise supplier, ELB Equipment, with dual distributorship rights alongside Dura Equipment’s established sales and service outlets.
The move provides the importer with the opportunity to tap into new markets through ELB’s comprehensive distribution network, among the largest of its type in southern Africa.
ELB Equipment CEO, Desmond van Heerden, says the distribution agreement is a match made in heaven. The companies have a nearly half-century long relationship and share similar outlooks with the emphasis on customer service and building lasting relationships. Staff cultures and ethics are aligned and, as an added bonus, the companies’ headquarters are less than ten kilometres apart.
Logistics
Mature supply chains are in place for the distribution of machinery and spare parts which are easily integrated to provide customers of either company with the same equipment, parts and service at a guideline for pricing. The biggest advantage for customers is of course having a Lovol wheel loader outlet nearby for sales, services, spares and support wherever they are in the sub-region.
The machines have a well-earned reputation in the earthmoving community due to their performance in the field in mines, construction, industrial, quarrying and agricultural operations. Evidence can be found among company owners who report consistent cost-of-ownership savings of about 40% over comparable brand machines including fuel, parts and servicing. In addition, the capital cost of the Lovol machines is up to 30% lower than premium competitors.
Proven record
Dura Equipment CEO, Ben du Randt, says the Lovol wheel loaders are well proven in the field with more than 500 in operation, many of which are in back-breaking applications such as chrome and iron ore with specific gravities well over the three ton per cubic metre mark. Nevertheless the company has not had a single frame loss nor have any cracks been recorded on the machines.
This is a superb reflection on the quality of the machines considering that many of the early machines have already clocked close to 33 000 hours which ELB is used to with the best of breed philosophy they adopt. Thanks to the low cost of ownership and exceptional performance of the machines it is unsurprising that the Lovol’s also have among the highest resale values and are in demand wherever and whenever they become available.
In fact, the South African specification machines have become the standard for countries with tough operating conditions such as the USA and Australia.
Factory representation
“We have full time onsite representation from Lovol to provide technical backup and to relay information from local operators to constantly improve and develop machinery to suit local requirements. Post-Covid markets demand value for money and this is evident in our order book going forward. There is equal excitement among ELB Equipment’s sales staff and we expect that the numbers of Lovol wheel loaders brought into the country will have to be radically adjusted in order to keep up with skyrocketing demand,” says Ben.
“We can safely send our machines to far-flung places and remain confident in the knowledge that they will be supported quickly and efficiently no matter where they are. We will also be able to offer ELB Equipment’s telematics systems with all loaders sold,” he adds.
Unbeatable value
Desmond concludes, “The Lovol warranties speak for themselves. As a supplier and friend of Ben going back more than 35 years now, working together finally fulfils our long-held desire to work together and make a difference in an industry that has been our bread-and-butter for so many years.
“There is a lot of synergy and passion among us and not only as far as the Lovol product is concerned. Dura Equipment has been selling our machines on a similar basis for a number of years now and there is the highest level of trust between us with the end result being better products and better service for our customers. As a result, with new stock arrivals and machines on the water, we are encouraging our customers to place orders now.”
