Hyundai Construction Equipment(“HCE”), a subsidiary of Hyundai Heavy Industires group, truly consider Africa as one of their most important markets since HCE would like to take parts in developing and supporting their infrastructure, logistics, their lives of livings. HCE as a manufacturer of earthmoving equipment, mining machines, material handling equipments is moving forward to supply quality products, satisfactory product support (A/S, parts, trainings) to their customers in Africa.
Steve (Suwon) Kim, Head of Business Development in Africa, began by explaining the company’s position and product offer. “In construction and material handling equipment business, we work with dealers and in about 50% of Africa are covered by our dealers such as South Africa, Algeria, Tunisia, Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, Egypt, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Sudan and so on. HCE is all the time cooperating with our dealers to improve their capacities and capabilities by our strong relationship and for open territories, we will develop long-term and strong dealer networks for the mutual benefits.
We have been involved with several projects such as infrastructure, mining, agriculture, warehouse fleet, harbor, etc. We have won some contracts like Nigerian international cement manufacturer, the tender of Angolian Ministry of Agriculture, Algerian Government Company, Food & Beverage enterprises in Egypt, mining customers in South Africa, and so on. HCE is endeavoring to build more sustainable strong relationship with our key customers.
We have participated in several exhibitions throughout Africa for Mining, Infrastructure, Agriculture and logistics sectors, such as Buildexpo 2019 in Tanzania as a main sponsor, SITP in Algeria, Mine Entra in Zimbabwe, etc. Due to the outbreak of Covid19, most of major exhibitions were cancelled, therefore, we could not participate in, but we are going to plan more events and exhibition participations.”
Bucking that trend is the uniqueness of their products. The company is supplying not only most ranges of earthmoving equipment such as excavators from 1ton to 125ton, wheel loaders, backhoe loaders, skid steer loaders, rollers and motor graders, but also material handling equipment such as forklifts from 1.5ton to 25ton. For any equipment, engine is most important part and most of our engines mounted are Tier 2 mechanical engines especially excavators which is one of their uniqueness sales points for African markets.
Altogether, Kim states that Hyundai Construction Equipment is still new in some of African countries comparing their main competitors, however the name of ‘HYUNDAI’ (Korean company) is globally well-known for quality products with competitive, attractive prices, strong product support. So, he advices, “for our potential customers that ‘why don’t you contact us and try Hyundai excavators, wheel loaders or forklifts?’ I am pretty sure you will be satisfied with the performance, easy maintenance and the cost”.
