Cummins offers a lifeline to the mining industry due to its global supply-chain network
 | Cummins offers a lifeline to the mining industry due to its global supply-chain network _ Approved | 173.91 KB | Download |
 Preview | A key to Cummins’ continued success in mining is its longstanding relationships with key clients | 817.06 KB | Download |
 Preview | Cummins has ensured a consistent supply of parts and spares during the global pandemic | 4.62 MB | Download |
The mining industry has kept the pedal to the metal throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, notes Dave Rehse, Director Mining Africa, Cummins Africa Middle East. “Business has largely carried on as usual. We are just entering some very good rebuild cycles right now. Overall, I would say that the industry has remained buoyant throughout this difficult period.”
Specific commodity sectors such as diamonds are showing green shoots, while the open-cast mining sector has also proven quite resilient. Having worked at Cummins for over 30 years, of which the bulk has been in the mining industry, Rehse highlights that a particular challenge has been the restrictions on travel and having to deal with problems on client sites remotely. However, these restrictions are easing globally, which is signalling a slow return to normal for the mining industry.
A particular achievement for Cummins during the pandemic has been ensuring a consistent supply of parts and spares, despite the global constraints in this regard, stresses Marco Gouveia, Parts Marketing Director, Cummins Africa Middle East. “We have manufacturing facilities worldwide, and different countries have been impacted by Covid-19 at different times, and also responded differently in how they have dealt with the pandemic.”
A major headache has simply been circulating manufactured goods around the globe, with airplane and shipping space at a premium due to a reduced number of flights and even a shortage of shipping containers to contend with. Despite these challenges, Cummins’ resilient supply chain network has ensured a steady supply of parts and spares globally.
“It is imperative that our mining clients are up and running at all times, as any parts-supply issues can impact rebuild or service times and have a major impact on uptime. In this regard, the global Cummins team has done a sterling job in literally keeping our engines running worldwide,” adds Rehse.
Genuine Cummins ReCon Engines and Parts remain a critical component of this global supply chain, notes Gouveia. “It is important that our mining clients adhere to their rebuild cycles, as this directly affects the total cost of ownership in terms of their equipment fleets. We are also able to tailor-make packages to suit specific requirements. We do have clients who prefer to carry out the work themselves, and here we strive to ensure that parts are always on hand when any major interventions are required with their engines on-site,” explains Gouveia.
A key to Cummins’ continued success in the mining industry is the longstanding relationships it has forged with major mining houses, from Zambia to Mozambique and even Namibia. “We have good relationships with key clients throughout Southern Africa, and this has really stood us in good stead to get through any rough patches.”
Commenting on the mining industry’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Rehse stresses that no expense has been spared to ensure the safety of all employees, which extends to third-party suppliers such as Cummins when its technicians are required to go on-site. “As a key supplier, we part of the mining fraternity, and all safety measures and protocols for mineworkers are extended to us as well to ensure a ‘zero harm’ working environment.”
As to the future and the possible negative effects of new variants breaking out in major mining regions, Rehse believes that the mining industry has already done its homework and has a good foundation in place to deal with any contingencies. “We ourselves as Cummins have refined our own internal processes and procedures throughout the pandemic, so we are in a strong position to continue to support the mining industry as it recovers and shows renewed growth going forward.”
—ends—
Connect with Cummins on Social Media to receive the company’s latest news
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CumminsAfricaME/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cummins-africa/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Cummins_Africa
About Cummins Inc.
Cummins Inc., a global power leader, is a corporation of complementary business segments that design, manufacture, distribute and service a broad portfolio of power solutions. The company’s products range from diesel, natural gas, electric and hybrid powertrains and powertrain-related components including filtration, aftertreatment, turbochargers, fuel systems, controls systems, air handling systems, automated transmissions, electric power generation systems, batteries, electrified power systems, hydrogen generation and fuel cell products. Headquartered in Columbus, Indiana (U.S.), since its founding in 1919, Cummins employs approximately 57,800 people committed to powering a more prosperous world through three global corporate responsibility priorities critical to healthy communities: education, environment and equality of opportunity. Cummins serves its customers online, through a network of company-owned and independent distributor locations, and through thousands of dealer locations worldwide and earned about $1.8 billion on sales of $19.8 billion in 2020. Learn more at cummins.com.
Cummins Contact
Sbu Gule
Executive Director
Legal & Corporate Services
Cummins Africa Middle East
Direct: +27 11 451 3400
Email: Ame [dot] abo [dot] communication [at] cummins [dot] com
Media Contact
Nomvelo Buthelezi
NGAGE Public Relations
Phone: +27 11 867 7763
Fax: +27 86 512 3352
Cell: +27 83 4088 911
nomvelo [at] ngage [dot] co [dot] za