Fast and accurate supply coupled with a total solution that ensures production will not be left at a standstill are the biggest demands in the mining industry regarding maintenance tools and machinery maintenance, says cutting solutions company First Cut.
The company provides cutting machinery and consumables to the mining industry, as well as a 24/7 technical service to assist with the maintenance and buying of machinery.
“Whenever First Cut acquires new technology, we assess what kind of training customers need, to ensure that the maximum benefit is derived from the equipment. Therefore, we also send our technicians overseas for training to provide customers with the necessary skills to operate the technology,” says First Cut director Steve Van Wyk.</libya gypsum process equipmentp>
The company has trained five technicians since the beginning of this year in order to educate and assist customers that buy its laser machine technology.
Further, First Cut director Gary Willis says the most common challenge regarding maintenance tools used in the mining industry is that customers are not always adequately trained to use them.
“That is why it is important for us to provide training along with our products. Some customers have probsingle toggle jaw crusher partslems placing a blade on a machine and strip its teeth in the process. We are able to send a technician to assist them in operating and maintaining the machinery the correct way.”
Willis asserts that the company’s triangular service approach played an important role in helping the company stay strong during the 2008/9 global economic recession.
While First Cut, as with many other companies, was also affected by the economic recession, it was able to quickly responrock phosphate exporting countries of worldd by offering tools, maintenance and training services to the industry, which at that point, favoured maintaining existing machinery over buying new technologies.
Van Wyk adds that the mining industry still seems to prefer maintaining its existing machinery and measuring equipment to buying new products to replace them.
“An increase in the cost of electricity plays a big part in how maintenance needs in the mining industry have changed. Businesses are also stiljaw crusher stone made americanl feeling the effects of the economic recession,” he notes.
As a result of this, Willis states that First Cut is constantly trying to provide affordable solutions to the mining industry without compromising on quality.
Another example of the company’s focus on providing a quality service is its call centre, which helps First Cut maintain a record of services for customers so that they are kept informed of what is happening in every step of the process, adds Van Wyk.
&ldqdry matiral crusher distributors turkeyuo;Our call centre has been in operation since 2005 and, as business has progressed and technologies have improved, we have improved our service and support accordingly.”
Further, Willis says imitation products are not yet a concern in the mining maintenance industry, since mining companies rely heavily on trusted brands and companies have to tender for contracts.
Van Wyk says participating in exhibitions plays a big part in the exposure of the company’s products and services.
“We aim to partici- pate in all exhibitions, whether they are big or small, and regularly attend overseas exhibitions as a way of strengthening and forming partnerships.”
First Cut will be attending this year’s Electra Mining Africa exhibition from September 10 to 14, in Johannesburg.
“We are excited about this event and have booked a 190 m2 stand where we will mainly feature our capital equipment and cutting solutions,” says Van Wyk.
He says the Electra Mining Africa exhibition provides international exposure as many international visitors attend this event, while students from technikons and universities also pass through.
Electra Mining Africa is ranked as the second largest mining show in the world and is the biggest trade exhibition in South Africa. The show is seen as a gateway for local and global investors to new business opportunities in the mining, construction, industrial and power generation industries in Africa, says Van Wyk.