Bell Equipment has announced intentions to enter Southern Africa’s tipper truck market through a partnership with KAMAZ, a Russian-based company.
Synonymous with providing purpose designed trucks to the harshest applications, KAMAZ’s consistent strong performance in the challenging Dakar Rally is to spur, the company’s portfolio expansion.
“After a long period of investigation we are now ready to take this milestone step and enter the tipper truck market.”
“By expanding our one-stop-shop offering to our southern African customers, we are able to satisfy more of their needs and further our goal of being partners rather than suppliers,” said Stephen Jones, Bell Equipment’s Group Marketing Director.
Jones said finding the right partner has been key because there have been a lot of new entrants trying to penetrate the market.
“We identified KAMAZ as our preferred partner some time ago due to the demonstrated performance and product attributes fit, which we had experienced through mutual customers and applications where Bell trucks are working in Russia.
“Further confidence was gained from other Bell partners, with a stake in KAMAZ held by Daimler AG, which also has a stake in Mercedes Benz, the engine supplier for the range of Bell Articulated Dump Trucks.”
Established in 1969, KAMAZ manufactures out of Naberezhnye Chelny in Russia and accounts for half the trucks sold in that country, as well as being represented in 80 countries across the world.
“KAMAZ shares our values and focuses on understanding applications and customer expectations, and designs products that speak to these,” continues Jones.
“As a 14 time winner of the Dakar, the world’s toughest off-road endurance race, customers can rest assured that KAMAZ trucks are tough and reliable. This ties in with our Bell ethos of providing strong reliable machines.”
According to Bell Equipment Product Marketing Manager, Brad Castle, the first phase of the KAMAZ introduction will consist of four models, which will be available as left hand or right hand drive vehicles. The models will include two 6×4 trucks with payloads of 15 and 20 tonnes, a 6×6 truck with a payload of 19,5 tonnes and a 8×4 truck with a payload of 25,5 tonnes.
Across the range, well matched engines and drivetrains bolster performance and the ability to deliver results while stronger fabricated structures promote durability.
The trucks also feature air-suspended seats and cabs to create industry-leading comfort that drives productivity, safety and ensures driver satisfaction.
Rafail Gafeev, General Director of KAMAZ Foreign Trade Company said the partnership will bring great value to both companies.
“The KAMAZ products have been tried and tested in the most challenging environments resulting in uncompromising products that are uncomplicated and tough.
We believe that the KAMAZ product philosophy coupled with Bell Equipment’s extensive distribution network of over 50 branches and dealers, world class aftermarket service and technical support is a clear recipe for success to meet the southern African customers’ needs,” Gafeev said.
