Power transmission and bearings supplier Bearings International (BI) has relaunched its BI chain offering, with an emphasis on refining its strategy and strengthening relationships with strategic suppliers.

Showcasing its range of premium brand chain solutions – KOBO and Zexus – alongside its renowned private label offering – Roller Chain Opti (RCO) – during the launch, on March 14, BI product management GM Robert Sillis explained that the company began reviewing its business concept two years ago, which included a “reset” of strategies and a review of the company’s product portfolio to define its strategic suppliers based on the company’s value proposition.

“The enhanced strategy is all about partnering with our customers, understanding their challenges and working very closely with our strategic partners to design and implement the right solutions relative to our customers’ requirements. So it is absolutely quality over quantity,” he said.

“We value having a complete open and transparent relationship with our strategic suppliers,” he added.

Sillis explained that the comprehensive strategy consisted of a complete marketing, pricing and competitor analysis, brand positioning, understanding the success factors, and defining an action plan in terms of what the company needed to do to improve in those areas.

Additionally, BI key account sales GM Christian Chipamaunga added that the company’s strategy focussed on robust segments that drove the economy, such as mining.

“From a key accounts perspective, we get to understand the customer, we understand the decision-makers, we understand the critical projects and then, together with product management, we strategise and tailor the right solutions for our customers,” he said.

In a media release, BI torque transfer product leader Hilton Woest explained that the relaunch presented an ideal platform to share with internal and external stakeholders the company’s dynamic chain growth strategy for this year and to provide more clarity on targeted market segments.

The relaunch will also coincide with a national roadshow to all provinces to share the value proposition and provide training so branches can provide effective uptime solutions to our valued customers.

Highlighting the importance of chains, BI has described this component as “indispensable” in areas such as mining, industrial and agricultural applications, transferring power in machinery and seamlessly moving objects and materials.

The company noted that its range of “top-tier” chain products was widely used across all industrial segments, efficiently delivering reliable performance and meeting the diverse demands of countless applications.

"While we remain committed to meeting the unique needs of all industries, our product offering primarily focuses on the mining, industrial, agricultural and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sectors.

“We’ve been leading the way in the sugar chain industry for over two decades, proudly supplying the renowned Zexus brand. Our KOBO German-engineered precision chain delivers unmatched performance and reliability for the mining, industrial and FMCG sectors.

“We've also proudly and successfully marketed our trusted, private label RCO chain across these segments, extending its reach to the agricultural market as well,” said Woest in the release.

He outlined BI’s chain service and after-market offerings, beginning with a focus on the company’s strategic branch network.

In the release, he explained that BI’s chain offering was available throughout South Africa through the company’s extensive network of over 50 branches and agents across all provinces, ensuring expedient service delivery and rapid response times to inquiries and orders.

He noted that the company also offered chain modifications and repairs at its two engineering sites in Johannesburg and Durban.

“Our team of highly qualified technicians, equipped with extensive engineering and field service expertise, are skilled in conducting site inspections, providing technical, maintenance and lubrication support and handling urgent on-site repairs with precision,” said Woest in the release.

BI’s chain services also extend to chain drive system design, installations and drive alignment as well as chain wear and elongation reports.

Woest expressed that BI's business concept was to provide “high-quality” interconnected mechanical components through a team of expert technical advisers to improve its customers' production uptime.

“At BI, we value our strategic suppliers and work closely with them to help position BI and our strategic brands as the first choice for customers.

“Our innovative industrial chain solutions are the crucial link that powers plant efficiency and optimisation, driving the sustainable performance of our customers' operations and keeping them in constant motion – now and into the future,” he concluded in the release.