Importation and distribution company Smith Power Equipment (SPE) regards bauma CONEXPO AFRICA as a noteworthy platform to launch new products onto the market, as well as showcase its product range offering to clients.

SPE GM Tom Bloom enthuses that, owing to its global following – in addition to the local market – bauma encourages many international visitors to attend the local edition. This was evidenced at the previous bauma CONEXPO ARICA that the company attended in 2015.

Further, one of the companies from which SPE imports agricultural/construction products, multinational engineering company Kubota, in Japan, is well known globally, which also attracts visitors on a global scale.

At its first local bauma exhibition, SPE launched Kubota excavators for the first time onto the South Africa market. At this year’s expo, a range of new Kubota excavators will be launched, as well as some attachments and a number of other Kubota products for the construction industry.

Further, the company is hopeful that its 1.5 t Kubota U15 excavator will be available for display at the expo. SPE will also launch two AUSA models of compact 1.4 t and 2.0 t telehandlers and two AUSA rough-terrain forklifts. Bloom adds that SPE secured exclusivity to distribute an attachment range from Spain, which will also be introduced at bauma.

“As a sales organisation, we always want to drive sales, but we also want to launch solutions and products that can help our clients,” says Bloom.

bauma Strategy

SPE will be located at the Outdoor Area Esplanade, ES.254. Bloom explains that this outdoor stand location is to optimise the showcasing of industrial equipment and some larger equipment, as the large, open-stand design will facilitate this.

The company also aims to interact with clients, as well as promote engagement between international suppliers and customers, as representatives from SPE international suppliers will be in attendance.

Bloom informs that SPE will exhibit a Kubota excavator at the demonstration area, which will enable visitors to witness its capabilities first-hand and not just from a “brochure perspective”. This is particularly beneficial when the company has a “world-class” product that boasts benefits over that of competitors, he adds.

SPE is well versed in expo participation, owing to its having attended several expos, notes Bloom. He elaborates that such participation reflects the benefits to be gleaned from using such platforms as part of the overall company marketing strategy.

SPE has been driving awareness of its attendance at bauma on marketing platforms ranging from online to print. It has also engaged with current clients, and has invited them and a number of VIPs to the expo. Bloom acclaims that, thus far, the response has been positive.

“We encourage as many people to come to these types of shows and platforms to see what’s new in industry. Companies are exhibiting their best products and are launching new products; therefore, it is a great platform for the industries they cater for to gain insight into the latest developments.”

This year’s edition of bauma CONEXPO AFRICA will take place from March 13 to 16, at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, in Nasrec.

Looking Ahead

SPE has an extensive dealer network throughout Southern Africa, through which it offers customers products and services. Full aftersales service, support and parts are provided for all the company’s products.

The first products imported by the company were from landscape maintenance equipment provider Toro, and this has since been expanded to the current offering. Moreover, it is continuously upgrading this, with Bloom informing that the company will soon enter into a more residential landscaping platform.

“This year is going to be very exciting, as we are planning for strategic growth. Also, a lot of the industries we serve have come off the back of some tough years, and we think that, with the strengthening of the rand, and the more positive mood in the economy presently, 2018 will be our best year yet.”