To meet a growing global demand for Bell Trucks the company has announced a major investment in its global production and aftersales structures.
In 2017, the articulated dump truck (ADT) manufacturer recorded a 30 per cent increase in sales.
As an answer to the increase in demand, the company has announced a 12,000 square metre facility will be constructed at its European ADT plant in Kindel-Eisenach, Germany. The facility will accommodate the fabrication of all ADT bins for the Northern Hemisphere. The plant is expected to be operational in the second quarter of 2019.
“Most of the high-quality steel for our bodies is sourced in Europe, therefore this will optimize our supply logistics and allow us to react quickly to customer demand,” said Tristan du Pisanie, Bell’s ADT product marketing manager. According to Bell, the new plant will not affect production at the South African production headquarters in Richards Bay.
“We are experiencing an upswing in all ADT markets around the world. As a sup- plier, we want to guarantee short lead times and good availability throughout our whole range,” du Pisanie said. “Part of this is the commencement of two-shift production at Eisenach from the middle of this year to meet the growing demand.”
As well, the company has announced construction is now underway on its new American Logistics Centre (ALC).
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Located in North Carolina, the facility will be positioned to service its expanding dealer network and rapidly growing truck population in North America.
The American Logistics Centre will operate in cooperation with the company’s European Logistic Centre in Germany and the Global Logistics Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa.
New Bell CEO
Bell was recently one of numerous heavy equipment companies to exhibit at Intermat in Paris. The show served as the last global event for CEO Gary Bell. As of June 1, Leon Goosen will serve as the company’s chief executive officer.
Although leaving the CEO position, Bell has been appointed as non-executive chairman of the board of the Bell Group.
“Our aim (at Intermat) was to demonstrate our commitment to the global ADT market and we succeeded with in-depth interactions with customers and partners throughout the show,” Goosen said.
