Sunward expands presence in South Africa with new distribution, service centre

Drilling, earthmoving and construction equipment supplier Sunward South Africa has unveiled its dedicated distribution facility in Jet Park, Boksburg, to serve the Southern African mining and construction markets.

Sunward South Africa is part of the Sunward Equipment Group, which is a Shenzen-listed top 50 global construction equipment manufacturer, producing more than 11 000 excavators and drill rigs a year.

While Sunward South Africa is now in a position to distribute to and service machinery of customers directly, black-owned Azize Equipment will also remain a distributor of the company’s range of equipment.

Sunward has numerous machines operating in Namibia, Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Sunward South Africa offers three distinct Sunward surface drilling machines; two crawler-type Top hammer models (from 64 mm up to 115 mm diameter with hole depths up to 25 m) and a range of down-the-hole drill rigs (from 90 mm up to 255 mm diameter, with hole depths up to 36 m).

Rounding off the product portfolio is the Sunward excavator range with 105 mm to 165 mm diameter and up to 36 m hole depth capabilities.

Powered by Tier 111a engines, the fuel efficient, low-emission Sunward machines uphold standard ergonomics and safety designs, featuring cab air conditioning and radios, as well as light-emitting diode lights.

Sunward South Africa’s flagship drill model SWDE165 has served coal miners particularly well, with the company continuously improving the machine's performance, fuel consumption levels, simplicity of operation and quick and easy maintenance.

Responding to what distinguishes the Sunward brand from other manufacturers in the market, Sunward South Africa CEO Ferry Meng explains the company’s commitment to innovation makes for a positive advantage in the market, with the machines featuring best-in-class components yet being less complex to operate compared with many other options in the market.

The company, however, does not compromise on robustness, reliability and serviceability in favour of simplicity.

Meng explains that the group’s software enables superior fuel consumption and operational performance, which Sunward plans to continuously refine and develop further.

Sunward first set up a South African subsidiary in 2019 but has now grown to have its own 3 000 m² yard and warehouse, which it plans to expand further with more employees and increased service capability through workshops.

Meng confirms the facility currently employs five people, of which one is South African; however, Sunward South Africa plans to hire more local engineers and service assistants over the next three years.

Commenting on the market conditions, Meng says South Africa is a major mining market for the group, with solid demand for mobile crushing screens, excavators and dump trucks.

He is confident the company will grow its market share not only in South Africa but also on the rest of the continent as a reliable mining and construction equipment supplier.