Navitha Ramsunker is a trailblazer in CFAO Equipment’s Heavy Lift division, making her mark in the historically male-dominated heavy industrial equipment industry - and feeling empowered doing so. Heavy Lift’s National Product Specialist, Lenny Naidoo, says that Ramsunker has shown she is highly capable in her chosen role. “Navitha has worked her way up the ladder, taking on increasing responsibility and showing her mettle along the way.”

An Aftermarket Sales Representative at the business’s Durban-based operation, Ramsunker has gained vast in-depth knowledge about the different types of equipment, their parts and how her customers’ businesses operate, making her highly sought out by her customers.She began her journey at CFAO Equipment in 2015 as a Service Controller forToyota Material Handling in Durban. The business quickly recognised her ability to co-ordinate large numbers of technicians with ease, and she was soon appointed Breakdown Controller for the division.

Once she mastered the diesel and gas forklifts, she moved to CFAO Equipment’s Industrial Power division to gain greater insight into the battery technology that powered electric forklifts, taking on the roles of Service Controller and Aftermarket Administrator. While the role of Service Controller involves scheduling, dispatching and tracking of service requests, as well as managing work orders and communicating with all parties involved, the Aftermarket Administrator position requires dealing with the national office, purchasing batteries, receiving stock, pushing lines and submitting sales audits.

When the pandemic hit South African shores in 2020, Ramsunker moved to the business’s 600SA arm, which dealt mostly in cranes. She headed up the parts division, running the entire department on her own. When it was time to conduct stocktake, the department recorded zero discrepancies, a trend throughout Ramsunker’s time in the division. Always keen to learn more, Ramsunker moved to CFAO Equipment’s Heavy Lift division in Durban in 2023. “I wanted to move to bigger machines. My first job was as a Parts Counter Hand for Heavy Lift. It was a great move for me. I’ve learnt a lot and the people I work with have become family.”

Over time, she took on greater responsibility and began working with Heavy Lift’s customers. Today, she alternates with colleagues to be on standby to assist customers with parts 24/7, 365 days a year, successfully juggling work and family life. She says working in a largely male-dominated industry has been rewarding. “I’ve always felt supported by my colleagues, and they don’t hesitate to share their knowledge with me. I’m very hands-on and visit the workshop or consult with technicians to find out more about various parts. Some customers are visibly surprised when I speak about the equipment so knowledgeably.” She advises young women who are interested in the industry to just ‘go for it’. “From the outside, it may seem difficult, but it is an incredible experience where you get to learn something new every day. The more you invest in your role, the more you get out of it.”