In a market defined by fuel volatility, infrastructure pressure and tight delivery schedules, uptime is no longer a technical metric - it is a commercial one.

For Dave Black, Head of Operations: Transport Solutions at Babcock, the DAF dealer in South Africa, aftermarket performance is where fleet profitability is either protected - or eroded.

“In today’s environment, a truck standing still is revenue lost,” says Black. “Aftermarket isn’t an add-on to the sale. It is central to protecting cost per kilometre.”

Built for Throughput, Not Just Service

Babcock’s move to its expanded Isando facility was a strategic decision driven by capacity and control.

“Our previous branch faced space constraints, particularly for truck-and-trailer combinations,” Black explains. “During peak months, that limits throughput - and throughput directly impacts uptime.”

The Isando facility now operates 20 drive-through workshop bays capable of accommodating full truck and trailer combinations under one roof, supported by nine DAF-trained technicians and a dedicated service advisory team. With triple the wash bay capacity of the previous site and expanded yard space designed to handle complete vehicle combinations, the facility is purpose-built for efficient, high-volume throughput.

“Our parts fill rate currently sits at approximately 99% on fast-moving lines,” Black adds. “That significantly reduces vehicle standstill due to parts delays.”

For high-utilisation fleets, capacity and parts availability are not background factors - they are operational safeguards.

The Failures That Cost the Most

During peak operating cycles, certain risks surface consistently. Cooling systems come under strain. Air systems begin to show fatigue. Friction components such as brakes and clutches reach end-of-life faster when vehicles are not inspected at structured intervals. Battery neglect is another common contributor to roadside events.

“These failures are rarely sudden,” says Black. “They are usually the result of missed preventative windows.”

The financial difference between a planned intervention and an unplanned roadside breakdown can be significant - particularly once recovery, downtime and secondary damage are factored in.

Babcock’s average roadside response time across key corridors currently sits at approximately 2:30 hours, supported by 25 mobile service units nationally.

“Prevention will always cost less than recovery.”

Process-Driven Prevention

At the core of Babcock’s aftermarket strategy is the DAF RMI (Repair & Maintenance Inspection) process - a structured, OEM-led system that ensures each vehicle is inspected methodically and released only once quality standards are met.

“It’s not just about replacing parts,” Black explains. “Every vehicle is checked systematically against DAF requirements. That reduces repeat failures and protects lifecycle performance.”

Currently, approximately 98% of new DAF units delivered are supported by structured service or maintenance plans - reinforcing preventative discipline from day one.

This approach supports fuel efficiency, protects resale value and reduces unexpected downtime - three pillars of total cost of ownership.

Partnership Over Transaction

Black is clear that aftermarket performance is shared responsibility.

“The fleets that achieve consistent uptime are the ones who plan - who commit to scheduled inspections and preventative maintenance.”

Babcock supports this with tailored repair and maintenance programmes aligned to specific duty cycles, proactive follow-up on roadside incidents, and structured service planning.

“Aftermarket is not transactional,” he concludes. “It’s a partnership built around operational predictability.”