With a plethora of wheel loader brands active in southern Africa, there’s no shortage of choice for customers requiring a utility machine. However, new entrant into the market Barloworld SEM believes it offers customers a real edge in economy, efficiency and reliability with the medium-size SEM range of wheel loaders from China.“With SEM wheel loaders, we provide local earthmoving contractors with an alternative, cost-effective solution for lighter to medium duty applications in construction, mining and quarrying,” says Barloworld SEM operations manager Brandon Arnold.
SEM is a leading wheel loader brand in China and more than 50 units are already in operation in southern Africa. With Barloworld SEM as newly appointed dealer, contractors now have the opportunity to buy reasonably priced machines from a company with considerable resources, limiting the risks often associated with earthmoving machines in this category, says Arnold. “By their very nature, SEM wheel loaders will also be an attractive option for Chinese contractors in southern Africa.”
Barloworld SEM markets both the 92kW SEM 630 and 162kW SEM 650 series, comprising six models altogether with 1,7–3,3m3 bucket capacities and rated loads of three to five tons. The range will be expanded during the course of 2009.
SEM wheel loaders are well suited to the local market, says Arnold. “Simple to operate and maintain, they feature reliable engines and heavy duty axles and transmissions, and come with a 2 000 hour/12-month warranty and first-rate backup to help ensure productivity and peace of mind.”
As a subsidiary of Barloworld Handling, Barloworld SEM utilises the established Barloworld Handling customer support infrastructure, which includes a countrywide service centre network. Barloworld Handling has been the southern African dealer for Hyster materials handling equipment for 80 years, and its investment in customer support is regarded as a benchmark in the industry.
“Structures are also in place to ensure high parts availability and manage warranty issues,” says Godfried Heydenrych, chief executive of Barloworld Handling SA.
“With the SEM range, contractors will have the opportunity to buy reasonably priced earthmoving machines from people that understand their business and are able to supply appropriate levels of product support,” Heydenrych says.
SEM, formerly the Shandong Engineering and Machinery Company, was founded in 1958 and has the capacity to produce more than 15 000 wheel loaders annually. Its products are sold in more than 80 countries. Aiming to provide customers in the Middle East and Africa with zero-delay service and parts support, it has now also established a Service and Parts Centre in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
