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After several years of collaboration,
Sandvik has now entrusted SMT Africa with
additional distribution of surface drills,
dozers, SDLG which is part of the Volvo advertising packages
Volvo Penta. It is also the offi cial dealer of
Equipment Bus and marine and industrial engines with spare parts and drilling tools across the
Sennebogen Green Line, Dressta tracked
Mr Haglund commented: “SMT’s invest-
West Africa territory.
ments are focused now in developing our
Group, Sandvik, Dongfeng, Marcopolo and
organisations, in competence develop-
mining
ment, service and maintenance, contracts,
Customer Focussed reach, SMT acquired the Kuiken Group, spare parts sales and availability in Africa.
In 2015, to expand its international
Volare.
“That’s the name of the game in Africa:
a Netherlands dealership dating back to
to sell the machine and look after the
1946 when the cooperation started with
client and ensure the machine is working.
Volvo CE (Bolinder Munktell at the time).
We always work closely with partners and
As a family-owned business, Kuiken
clients.” In 2021, SMT Africa also opened
had a long track record in distributing
a new branch in Yaoundé, Cameroon’s
and maintaining construction equipment.
ONE-STOP dealership in Belgium and Luxembourg, While logistics and distribution can be a
VCM, the brand name for the Volvo CE
capital city.
since 1984 and added the Sennebogen Striving for
became part of Kuiken Group in 1992.
It was already active in these countries
the Volvo CE dealership in Great Britain. excellence
dealership in 1993. In 2017, SMT acquired
challenge in Africa, “we strive to maintain
the best standards possible for our clients,”
Privately owned since it was established in
asserted Mr Haglund. “Due to Covid-19,
1962, it was partially controlled by Volvo CE
Solution Hub in 1989 and became 100% Volvo-owned in container shipping costs from China have
tripled, and it is now up to fi ve months
delivery time into the DRC as an example.
One-stop solution
It appears there is a crisis in the transport
1995.
sector, and that can be an issue for us.” He
said: “We diff erentiate ourselves from the
competition as we are fl exible, willing to
hub
“We create added value for customers,
listen to customers and understand their
excellent integrated solutions,” continued
ervices Machinery & Trucks (SMT), re vealed
Mr Haglund. “Each is tailored to every
the solutions we put in place.
“We understand it’s not a one size
environment and country we are active
SJohan Haglund, Vice President of SMT Af- suppliers and employees, by off ering needs, a foremost after-sales service and
fi ts all approach. We represent Volvo
in, and always seek to exceed customers’
rica, has done something rare in business.
premium brands and have a complete
expectations.” He added: “We have gone
Rather than a company advancing from its
mining
and
from a dealership in one country in Africa
equipment, their trucks, transportation
construction
European base to expand into Africa, the very
to a workforce of over 1,600 people across
of
and the complementary brands. “It is a
range
year period. We have maintained pretty
product portfolio and be competitive in
reverse has happened.
awesome growth that has been both
diff erent segments of the market. We also
Launched in 1998 as a single Volvo dealership in the 29 countries in 19 subsidiaries in a 15- key strength of ours to have a complete
have stock availability for fast delivery.”
organic and through acquisitions.
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), SMT is now active in
“We have brands and products that
In terms of establishing client relations,
cater to the budgets and needs of
25 African countries and has branches across Europe, notably
SMT is a company with people on the
Great Britain, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg.
clients in Africa and Europe, so we have
ground in various countries to aff ect their
coverage across the market and under
As a leading full-service distribution company specialising
crucial policy. He concluded: “Our values –
one umbrella. We look like Volvo and
in machinery, trucks and transportation vehicles, its focus
‘caring, daring and sharing’ – encompasses
feel like Volvo, and have other partners
is providing equipment for the extraction, construction,
all our business interests. We pursue
complementing this off ering, so that we
material handling, recycling and transport industries in these
innovation, strive for excellence, celebrate
countries. The company holds a longstanding track record
One of the signifi cant milestones of recent
of working exclusively in their markets with global quality
very essence of SMT and paints a complete
times is SMT extending its partnership
brands, such as Volvo CE and Sennebogen. In Africa, SMT also
picture of what we stand for in each and
with Sandvik across West Africa. SMT was
initially an offi cial distributor for Sandvik
works with other premium and value brands.
every nation we operate in.”
in Algeria since 2016 for underground and
Industry-beating standards can be a one-stop shop for our customers.” success and embrace diversity. This is the AFRICAN POWER Mining & Oil Review Vol 32, ISSUE 33 | 41
surface drilling machines, crushing and
“We set industry-beating standards and aim to keep them high
screening equipment, and all tools and
throughout all our business ventures,” said Mr Haglund. “As our
parts associated with these products.
market transitions from product to solution-oriented, we are at
that forefront, with fi rm beliefs in cooperation and transparent
SMT Africa, headquartered in Belgium, off ers the full range
from Volvo: Volvo Construction Equipment, Volvo Trucks, Volvo
communication.”
40 | AFRICAN POWER Mining & Oil Review Vol 32, ISSUE 33
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