13 September 2024
Celebrating six decades of partnership with Botswana, Barloworld Equipment southern Africa today inaugurated a cutting-edge dealership facility in Phakalane.
This significant investment underscores Barloworld’s commitment to delivering exceptional customer service, fostering local economic growth, championing sustainability, and further strengthening its enduring legacy in the nation.
Since 1964, Barloworld Equipment has been a steadfast partner in Botswana’s growth, supporting key industries and contributing to the development of its infrastructure. This new facility marks a new chapter in this journey, further enhancing its capacity to serve customers across mining, construction, energy, and transportation.
“This milestone underscores our commitment to Botswana,” said Andronicca Masemola, CEO of Barloworld Equipment southern Africa.
“The Phakalane dealership empowers us to provide even greater value to our customers with optimised equipment, service, and advisory capabilities.”
Sustainability takes centre stage
As a testament to its commitment to environmental responsibility, Barloworld Equipment’s Phakalane facility is one of the first of its kind in Botswana to achieve Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies (EDGE) certification. The facility boasts significant energy and water savings and incorporates eco-friendly materials throughout.
Key sustainability highlights include:
- Solar power: Plans are underway to install a grid-tied solar photovoltaic system, expected to provide 30-50% of the site’s power.
- Water recycling: A custom-designed hydrocarbon and water recycling system will deliver significant water savings.
- Waste reduction: Comprehensive waste sorting and storage facilities promote recycling and minimise environmental impact.
Investing in Botswana’s future
Barloworld Equipment is dedicated to empowering local communities and nurturing talent. The Phakalane facility employs 270 Brand Champions, of which 97% are Botswana nationals, further demonstrating its commitment to local empowerment. Barloworld Equipment Botswana commits to skills transfer by ensuring the appointment of local Brand Champions as understudies to all foreign nationals who occupy technical and critical positions within the business.
This entails increased cross-functional collaborations between departments to ensure adequate skills transfer. Skills gaps within the team are identified and addressed, allowing for targeted training and development initiatives to enhance overall capabilities. For example, the dedicated training centre within the facility will offer specialised courses in equipment operation, maintenance, and technical diagnostics, providing employees with the skills needed to thrive in the industry.
“Collaboration is key to progress,” Masemola added.
“This facility strengthens our ability to partner with government, customers, and industries to drive sustainable growth and development in Botswana.”
A legacy of partnership reimagined
Dominic Sewela, Barloworld Group CEO, emphasised the company’s enduring commitment to Botswana.
“For 60 years, we’ve worked hand-in-hand with Botswana, and this new facility represents our commitment to building an even brighter future, together,” Sewela explained.
“It reflects our values of partnership, progress, and sustainability.”
This state-of-the-art facility will provide customers with a seamless experience, including faster turnaround times on equipment repairs and maintenance, access to a wider range of Cat equipment and machinery, and enhanced technical support from our team of experts.
The new Phakalane facility marks a significant milestone in Barloworld Equipment’s journey in Botswana, reaffirming its dedication to delivering world-class service, driving sustainable growth, and empowering local communities for generations to come.
