Scania, renowned for its premium trucks, is enhancing it’s presence in Southern Africa with a new state-of-the-art facility in Aeroton. To support their high production requirements, Scania South Africa has placed an order with RGM Cranes for a range of overhead cranes to be installed by mid January 2025.

Scania’s decision to invest in this new facility stems from their significant growth in the region. Christian Håkansson, head of production at Scania South Africa explains, "Scania is doing exceptionally well in South Africa. Our production volume has increased significantly over the past 7-8 years, and we have outgrown our current plant. This new facility is necessary to meet the increasing demand."

RGM Cranes, a trusted partner of Scania South Africa, was chosen for this critical project due to their proven track record and expertise in the motor industry. “We have an existing relationship with RGM Cranes in that they have consistently supported us with servicing our cranes, load testing and lifting tackle inspection. Their ability to deliver quality brands and meet tight deadlines made them the ideal choice for this project,” adds Cornelius Viljoen, Workshop Manager at Scania.

Several factors contributed to Scania selecting RGM Cranes as their supplier. "We have a strong relationship with RGM Cranes and have had very productive discussions about development," says Håkansson. "We did explore the market and received quotes from several companies. Ultimately, we believed that RGM Cranes could meet our tight timeline and deliver the quality we need."

Viljoen elaborates, "During a site visit to RGM Cranes' facility, we were highly impressed by their operational structure, extensive stockholding, and technical expertise. The RGM Cranes team have been involved from the planning stages, providing invaluable input and guidance. Their organised approach, availability of spare parts, and deep knowledge stood out compared to other suppliers."

The new order from Scania South Africa includes a variety of cranes designed to handle heavy-duty lifting requirements essential for assembling bus and truck chassis. The order comprises eight 125 kg jib cranes with Planeta Pitch hoist units, four 1.2-ton single girder cranes, one 1.6-ton single girder crane, two 3.2-ton single girder cranes, and four 5-ton single girder cranes. The cranes will feature top-of-the-range equipment from Planeta and Güralp, ensuring they meet the high European quality standards that Scania demands.

“Scania is known for its premium truck offering, and we require premium equipment to support our production,” states Viljoen. "While there are cheaper options available, we need the reliability and quality that RGM Cranes and their equipment provide."

One of the standout features of the new cranes is the Guralp hoist units, which come with a crane monitoring system. This advanced system offers real-time feedback on crane operations, enabling Scania to maintain optimal performance and safety standards. The monitoring unit tracks various parameters such as motion, load limits, and operational hours, allowing for precise maintenance scheduling and reducing the risk of downtime.

RGM Cranes will also install the necessary DSL system to power these advanced cranes, ensuring seamless integration into Scania’s production processes. "The cranes are a necessity for our operations," Viljoen emphasizes. "They facilitate the assembly of our trucks and buses, handling engines, axles, and even entire chassis."

Scania’s new and improved facility in Aeroton, is set to become their operational hub for southern Africa, and beyond, and represents a significant investment in the region's industrial capabilities. With the support of RGM Cranes, Scania is poised to enhance its production efficiency and meet the growing demand for its premium vehicles.

As this project progresses, the partnership between Scania South Africa and RGM Cranes continues to exemplify the synergy between premium products and reliable support, driving both companies towards a prosperous future in the southern African market.