Win-win situation

Mastering a robust selection process meant that the Scania G460 was the ideal choice for Nugulu Bulk Carriers

Ngululu Bulk Carriers, one of South Africa’s largest black-owned, heavy-duty trucking operations, recently acquired 97 new Scania G460 truck tractors. The deal forms part of the fleet-replacement strategy of the 335-rig Ngululu Bulk Carriers fleet.

With its main depot in Steelpoort, Limpopo, Ngululu Bulk Carriers (a subsidiary of investment company, Ngululu Holdings) was established in 2002. It services the mining market with short and long-haul, side-tipper transport.

Most recently, the fleet has diversified its haulage capacity to include fuel tankers, tautliners for consumer goods and, in future, it will include flatbeds for multiple applications.

According to Chris Luvhani, executive chairman, Ngululu Holdings: “While 80 percent of our revenue comes from blue-chip companies based in South Africa, our focus is to operate in the whole of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. Our long-haul capabilities and efficiencies are, therefore, critical to our strategic direction.

“The Scania G460 went through a robust selection process, which included four weeks of test runs for comparative analysis with our existing benchmarks. Ultimately, the Scanias offered us the lowest possible total lifecycle cost.”

Scania Finance facilitated the deal with a flexible and tailored repayment solution. The trucks are backed by a three-year/600 000 km driveline warranty and a full maintenance and repair contract.

The Euro-3, 343 kW (460 hp), 6×4 Scania G460 is ideal for on/off-highway applications, with 2 250 Nm of torque for effective tractive force off-road and in mountainous conditions.

The semi-automatic Scania Opticruise transmission with a retarder assists in delivering optimal fuel efficiency, as does the aero-kit, which comes as a standard fitment on the double sleeper cab.

“The G460 delivers a fuel saving of between five and seven percent and has a lower tare mass than the other trucks in our fleet, which boosts the profitability of each trip,” says Flip Myburg, executive director: Fleet & Technical, Ngululu Bulk Carriers. “Our drivers are also extremely happy with the vehicles’ comfort and ease of driving.”

Raimo Lehtiö, MD of Scania South Africa and executive chairman of Scania Southern Africa, says: “We are not just a supplier of truck hardware. Our dealer network extends to eight other countries in southern Africa, and is ideally positioned to support the Ngululu Bulk Carriers fleet as it expands into the region.”

In conclusion, Luvhani states: “The combined elements of this deal, from the best-rate financing package and the efficiency of the truck, itself, to the extensive Scania support network in the SADC region, makes for a win-win situation.”