Bearings International (Bi) has, since 1958, consistently set the benchmarks in innovation and excellence as a leading distributor of bearings, power transmission and interconnected mechanical consumables that sustainably facilitate and optimise operations for mining and industrial customers across Southern Africa.
This is effectively achieved through the organisation’s continuous commitment to reinforcing powerful partnerships with customers within its key focus segments – mining, industry, FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) and agriculture.
Christian Chipamaunga, Bi General Manager: Key Accounts Sales | Automotive, highlights the significance of building solid long-term customer relationships: “Bi customers rely on our product, technology and service solutions to support operations across their regional footprint. Continuously seeking ways to innovate and streamline our processes and services is crucial to ensuring business sustainability. This mind-set applies to both our customers and to Bi, embodying our shared philosophy of continuous innovation and improvement. A great example of this is our recent introduction of Tech-Top (Alpha) IE3 motors to support customers in complying with the new MEPS regulations.” He adds that the continued extension of annual renewable national contracts by their customers are testament to the trust they place in Bi.
As the ‘Fast’ in Fast Moving Consumer Goods implies, the plant-to-consumer supply chain demands lightning-fast production cycles to get goods to market at breakneck speed. Central to this is the efficiency and reliability of plant equipment, which drives up-time and ensures high production levels.
Over the past six plus decades, Bi has been supplying the FMCG segment with an extensive range of essential components. Bi’s premium quality bearings and accessories, V-belts, torque transfer solutions, motors, geared units and industrial chain that are helping to keep millions of South African homes and businesses supplied with trusted products.
Key components of Bi’s offering is comprehensive on-site product training and countrywide service and after-market support. Chipamaunga elaborates: “Our training is delivered by highly skilled Product Application Engineers (PAE) and tier-one suppliers. Across South Africa, our customers can count on unparalleled support through our vast network of over 50 branches and agents in all provinces, guaranteeing swift service delivery and rapid response times. This countrywide support ensures customers are equipped with the necessary knowledge, products and services to get the best performance from the components and subsequently their machines and equipment.” Bi’s recently relaunched Field Services offering further enhances access to expert support as and when needed.
“In line with Bi’s commitment to providing customers with premium, world-class products and technologies tailored to their needs, we forge strategic partnerships with reputable global companies that share our focus on quality, service excellence and our passion for fostering a healthier environment,” continues Chipamaunga. “Having the right partners and global brands behind us has been critical to the success of our customer partnerships. We work together with our valued strategic suppliers to craft tailored, cutting-edge solutions that deliver the very best results and help position Bi and our strategic brands as the first choice for customers.”
Chipamaunga welcomes structured feedback from customers, such as documented improvements in up-time and efficiency which have directly contributed to cost savings and profitability, which assists Bi to foster a culture of continuous improvement. “This mutual engagement enables Bi and our customers to move forward together, resonating with our value proposition – keeping our customers ‘in motion’!”
Chipamaunga concludes: “Our close customer collaborations continue to energise South Africa’s FMCG landscape. We are proud to support our customers in delivering the products South Africans rely on every day and we look forward to building on this strong foundation for many more years to come. We remain committed to reinforcing partnerships built on shared goals of performance, uptime and continuous improvement to power plant efficiencies and optimise the performance of our customers’ operations across all our focus segments, ensuring their success now and throughout their future journeys.”
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