“Just about all our clients in this region is involved in agriculture and one thing that strikes you is that a farmer always has a plan up his sleeve,” says Morné Botha, regional manager of Scania in Bloemfontein. His region ranges from the Northern Cape. Through the Freestate and Eastern Cape, ending on the beach.

Morné and his family recently migrated from Johannesburg to Bloemfontein. He says it feels like a home-coming. “It is a different lifestyle; we are simply part of the community.”

Christopher Magson, sales manager, is an old Bloemfontein citizen. “I know the people and understand their needs.”

A personal approach is part of the Scania culture. The company believes in assisting clients in the establishment of viable undertakings so that everybody can grow together. However, the continuing droughts and other uncertainties in the past years made it no easier to grow in the agricultural environment.

“From an economic viewpoint agriculture contributes a huge portion of South Africa’s gross domestic product,” says Morné. “In the first two quarters of 2018 agriculture and its related sectors went through a hard time and contributed to general negative growth. In the third quarter, however, both sectors revived strongly and contributed towards positive growth compared with 2017.”

He says the increase of 22% in the diesel price also did not improve the situation for the farmer. “In this value chain the farmer is the first to be affected because of delivery costs of agricultural equipment and supplies, and product transport costs to the market. The consumer only feels the result of fuel price increases much later in the process.”

In spite of these conditions Scania still experienced satisfactory sales of new and second hand trucks. Morné ascribes this to the following factors:

“Apart from diesel savings by Scania trucks to the farmer, we continue assisting our people with made-to-fit solutions. We formulate a package for the individual client in terms of the asset and its maintenance, financing and logistics management. In such an interview all factors, such as seasonal fluctuations and cash flow, are considered to present a viable solution.”

The fact that Scania itself is involved with financing, makes it possible to adjust a package to fir the client’s needs.

Christopher Magson says consulting with the client entails much more than financing and package deals. “Our aim is naturally to sell new trucks, but when I see that a truck will only travel about 50 000 km per year, I will recommend considering a second hand vehicle. The second hand trucks from the Scania stable come with a complete maintenance plan. This could be instrumental in helping the farmer to develop his transport section in such a manner that he has to buy a new truck in three years’ time.”

Further there are extended guarantees when a horse is mot used for many kilometres per year. This even covers unpaved roads because Scania trucks can deal with dirt.

Morné says their aim is to be known in the region as trustworthy advisors. All options will be considered and, if a farmer really needs a truck in season, renting may be the option. Scania has a fleet of more than 400 rent trucks.

Farmers have many plans . . .

Morné says it is becoming more general for farmers to make use of trucks instead of tractor and trailer, and even bulk loaders, for shorter distances – literally from land to silo. Fuel consumption is lower, time is saved and the payload on a truck is much higher than on a tractor and trailer.

Farmers have even more plans up the sleeve. With two or three different trailers they do contract work between seasons. Today a truck is used to take mealies to the silo, or cattle to the abattoir; tomorrow it transports sand or aggregate for the mining industry, or even to take tractors to NAMPO!

Carrying loads means income. Morné says ‘boere maak planne’: Doing freight work means turnover. Scania will make a plan to ensure that a farmer has the best truck with the best maintenance support to ensure his peace of mind when he diversifies.

Phone Christopher Magson of Scania, Bloemfontein, on 072-122-5705, or Scania head office on 011-661-9600 for information about your nearest dealer. You can visit the Scania website  www.scania.co.za  for more information regarding the Scania’s bullseye transport solutions.