Now how’s this for a significant milestone? The Reinhardt Group has taken delivery of its 1 000th Volvo Truck making it the first independent private operator in the world to have reached this milestone figure.
This formidable business relationship started in 2000 when Derick Reinhardt, founder of the Reinhardt Group, decided to invest in the Volvo truck brand to replace the multi brand fleets he had acquired over the preceding years.
He assessed the Volvo vehicles on offer during a visit to the production facilities in Sweden in 2000 and saw the potential of the FM12 truck-tractor with a low sleeper cab, low weight and low wind resistance.
Over the years, the group continued to buy Volvos as part of its vehicle replacement policy , arguably one of the most proactive in the industry – and currently, the group has 270 Volvo vehicles in its fleet. They are primarily the Volvo FH440hp with sleeper cabs, VEB (Volvo engine brake) and the I-Shift gearbox. The vehicles run with side tipper trailers and transport coal and other bulk material.
The handover of the 1 000th vehicle was marked by a gathering of employees from both the Reinhardt group and Volvo in Nigel at the transporter’s head office.
A framed picture of historical Volvo images was presented by Anders Lindblad, the local President, Volvo Area Southern Africa to owner Derick Reinhardt on behalf of Volvo President & CEO, Staffan Jufors who had penned a personal message of congratulations stating: “In recognition of many years of a successful business partnership. Congratulations on your 1000th truck.”
Derick Reinhardt is proud of this achievement and pays high tribute to Volvo saying that the trucks “have proven to be an excellent fleet vehicle offering us reliable performance, driver comfort, good fuel economy along with a good re-sale value.’
Graham Gaskell, chief operating officer for the Reinhardt Group, is also complimentary about 5Volvo’s performance. “It is a reliable product and we get excellent product support. In recent years we have moved from doing our own servicing and now opt for the Volvo Gold Maintenance contract. We will continue with the Volvo brand into the future following our replacement policy of three years or 600 000 kilometres.’
It was some time ago that FleetWatch quoted what is probably one of the most pertinent statements we have yet come across for business dealings. “Successful businesses are built on relationships, not on transactions.’
It was Professor Andy Andrews who coined this phrase and if ever there was proof of the truth of this phrase in action, it lies in the relationships between the Reinhardt Group and Volvo.
FleetWatch congratulates both companies on this wonderful event. In a world where fast food, fast communications, fast everything seems to dominate, it is good to see a lasting and fruitful relationship that has stood the test of time.
SA motor industry ‘˜a compelling case for Government investment and support’
The role of the automotive industry in the South African economy and particularly in creating employment – has made a compelling case for the government to invest significantly to support further growth in this sector says South Africa’s Deputy President, Kgalema Motlanthe.
Addressing guests at an executive breakfast organised by the Motor Industry Staff Association (MISA) at Automechanika SA held in Johannesburg in March, Motlanthe said the current Motor Industry Development Programme (MIDP) and Automotive Production and Development Programme (APDP) that will be implemented in 2013, remain important industrial policy tools to support, promote and advance the future sustainability of the South African automotive sector.
He added that the government is alive to the need to gear its efforts to addressing some outstanding areas in the automotive sector. “For instance, despite notable successes achieved by the passenger car, medium and heavy commercial vehicle sectors, there is still a sore need to build adequate capacity in this sector. This is the area where the financial back-up from the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), as stated by President Jacob Zuma in the recent state of the nation address, will be critical to our objective of making improvements on a broader schedule.’
He went on to say that encouraging domestic production of automotive products in South Africa will undoubtedly contribute to the creation of more jobs in our country and that as an engine of economic growth, the automotive industry will continue to enjoy considerable government support to raise growth and prosperity.
