Bridgestone Southern Africa (BSAF) has relocated its Bridgestone Mining Solutions store from the Northern Cape town of Postmasburg to the Kathu mining town in the same province.
The store’s new site officially launches in March 2022, offering its comprehensive range of Off-The-Road (OTR) Tyre repairs and wheel alignment for passenger vehicles.
It will also now offer 4IR Technologies, such as iTrack 2 and Toolbox, digital systems that ensure tyre safety and efficient usage management, on top of traditional tyre fitment offerings, making it the flagship store in the Mining Solutions network.
“This relocation brings us closer to our mining clients in the region, so we can provide them with an enhanced service,” says Anton Wessels – Commercial Sales Director at Bridgestone Southern Africa. “OTR tyre repairs require specialised expertise and a close working relationship with customers. Also, the iTrack 2 is a specialised technology that is a game changer for tyre safety, which ensures the efficient use of tyres, whilst maximising productivity for mining clients.”
In addition to moving closer to existing mining customers and new potential customers (including Mokala Mine and East Manganese, to name a few) and thus reducing the distance for customers and improve service times, Bridgestone is also looking to enhance the working environment for employees and provide a better customer experience. Furthermore, it hopes to increase its service offering (including wheel alignment for passenger vehicles) to the general public and customers from the mining industry.,
The R10 million investment in the new store is an operation of 15 highly skilled individuals, and the figure is set to increase to 20 over the coming year, with a recruitment drive focused on wheel alignment technicians and tyre repair centre employees.
“Over the past year, we saw record prices and a demand for gold, platinum, iron ore and even coal, with the industry exceeding all expectations,” Anton says. “With the economy coming out of a global pandemic, we anticipate an even higher demand, as economies transition from fossil fuels. This move will require resources that will come from resource-rich countries like South Africa,” Anton adds.
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The South African automotive industry has gained some breathing space following the latest move by the United States Senate to extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act, or AGOA, to the end of 2028.
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