Bell now offers specialist services of complex engineering, heavy fabrication and machining to all industries in the country through its newly formed division.
Company says that Bell Equipment’s normal work could utilise the plant for one or two shifts, while a third shift could use the same equipment (such as plasma cutters) to make products such as railway bogies or excavator buckets.
Bell Equipment has identified complex engineering, heavy fabrication and machining and underground mining as opportunities for growth. It has created a dedicated OEM business division to pursue this goal, including expanding the existing product range, providing specialised customer support, and establishing new global markets. Anton Wheeler has been appointed to head up this division.
“A key part of our strategy is to grow our portfolio of products,” said Wheeler. “Currently, we have two underground mining products, our Bell Underground Articulated Dump Truck (ADT) and a Bell Rock Scaler. Both products have been well accepted in our existing African markets for their built-in levels of safety, use of latest technology, and lowest cost per tonne productivity, and we see the opportunity to develop our range further.”
Bell now offers specialist services of complex engineering, heavy fabrication and machining to all industries in the country through its newly formed division
According to Wheeler, Bell has identified as an opportunity a 6t low profile Load Haul Dump (LHD) loader to enhance the group’s offering. This machine is in the design phase and will be commercialised by 2024. “Our strategy is to grow the product portfolio rapidly over the next few years to be able to meet the needs of customers involved in this industry.”
“Bell Equipment’s underground mining products have recently been sold and branded through a dealer in South Africa, but we feel that it is better to be closer to our customers by managing the entire value chain from design to onsite support. We will be fully geared up to support both new machines as well as any historical units that are in service.”
Understanding the complexities and requirements of this specific sector, a specialised underground mining division has been established within the group’s own South African dealer network, Bell Equipment Sales South Africa (BESSA), to provide dedicated and focused sales, parts, and aftermarket support for the underground product portfolio in South Africa. Appointments are underway to make sure we can deliver to our customers’ expectations.
Bell now offers complex engineering, heavy fabrication, and machining
With almost 70 years of demonstrated expertise in complex engineering, heavy fabrication, and machining for its own range of material handling equipment, Bell Equipment is now offering these specialist services to all industries in the country through its newly formed division, Bell Heavy Industries (BHI).
The Bell team in Richards Bay consists of over 800 machinists, welders, and assemblers
Bell Equipment’s Group Business Development Director, Stephen Jones emphasises the current scarcity of companies providing these vital services locally. “South Africa has seen a huge reduction in engineering companies, and, in response, we have strategically positioned our South African manufacturing facility to fill this void by providing project engineering and contract manufacturing through BHI.
“The growth of Bell as a well-established mining, earthmoving, and agriculture equipment manufacturer, both domestically and in terms of exports around the world, is a testament to the skills available and the quality of products that we make in Richards Bay. We’re confident in our ability to expand into other industries and believe this will benefit not only the manufacturing sector but the whole country.”
Bell has also received accolades for its demonstrated performance from organisations such as the South African Capital Equipment Export Council (SACEEC), the Mining Equipment Manufacturers of South Africa (MEMSA), and the Department of Trade and Industry, which hosts the South African Premier Business Awards together with Proudly South African and Brand South Africa.
The 45 000m² undercover manufacturing area in Richards Bay complies with the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System
Bell is well equipped with specialist machines including both horizontal and vertical CNC (computerised numerical control) machining centers, 5-axis boring machines, laser cutters, high-definition oxyfuel and plasma cutters, bending brakes, and advanced welding technology
The 45 000m² undercover manufacturing area in Richards Bay complies with the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System and welds to the internationally recognised ISO 3834-2 Appendix 10 standards. It is well equipped with specialist machines including both horizontal and vertical CNC (computerised numerical control) machining centers, 5-axis boring machines, laser cutters, high-definition oxyfuel and plasma cutters, bending brakes, and advanced welding technology. A blasting plant, phosphating tanks, sealed spray booth, galvanising bath, and an automated powder coating installation are available to take care of surface treatments.
The Bell team in Richards Bay of over 800 machinists, welders, and assemblers is among the best in the country thanks to the company’s own training centre, which plays a crucial role in internally developing world-class skills from the surrounding community. “This is complemented by our highly skilled team of welding, quality, and industrial engineers, along with onsite calibration facilities, equipment to perform material checks, and a number of highly specialised co-ordinate measuring machines.”
Bell has a strong focus on process development
Bell can also tap into a wealth of group resources, notably a team of over 100 South African design engineers, enhancing its suitability for local manufacturing across diverse industries
“Together with our strong focus on process development, BHI can guarantee consistent quality to customers. BHI can also tap into a wealth of group resources, notably a team of over 100 South African design engineers, enhancing its suitability for local manufacturing across diverse industries,” adds Jones.
Bell Equipment’s manufacturing operation, which is 55% black-owned and 24% black women-owned, contributes to B-BBEE scores and creates localisation opportunities for potential customers. “Over the years we have established a global supply chain with access to world-class suppliers. Procurement staff are well skilled in international logistics and our strategic sourcing department has strong commodity expertise, which ensures stringent input cost control.”
“We have always maintained that manufacturing has massive transformation potential for the South African economy and employment, so we are optimistic about this new division and will be actively engaging with those looking for the expertise we now offer outside of our traditional market segment,” he concludes.
For further details visit www.bellequipment.com
