Arthur Rushmer Engineering (ARE) was established in 1997 as a specialist service supplier for rotary vane compressors and the sole distributor for Mattei rotary vane compressors in South Africa.
Kevin Rushmer, CEO of ARE, says the company distinguished itself in the market by providing expert services as well as industry-leading products. "Subsequent to gaining the Mattei distributorship, our service and support brought a number of blue chip companies to our door and we were engaged at various smelter plants in SA and Mozambique.
"We therefore decided to enhance our rotary vane services with rotary screw products and services, most significantly gaining sole distributorship of the Champion range of air compressors in 2002."
It was then that ARE's management realised the market needed more than good products and service. ARE was the first company in its field to offer comprehensive maintenance contracts. Rushmer says these 'Aircontracts' are similar to the motor plan available on many cars today and provide for mandatory servicing of the products throughout the duration of the agreement.
The company was very successful in this endeavour and soon found it could not supply Mattei and Champion products in sufficient numbers. In 2005, the group gained the Kaiser distributorship to supplement its product line.
These products are handled via a subsidiary company, Air Bank Corporation (ABC), which is responsible for the servicing, condition monitoring and maintenance of all the units rented to customers on a maintenance contract. The clients, of which there are now over 100, are given the option to purchase their compressors at the end of the contract period.
ISO 9001/2000 certification
At the moment ARE is not planning to bring any new compressor products into the country, but has embarked on an even more difficult task, ISO 9000/2001 certification. Rushmer says this is to ensure the company operates in a completely transparent manner in all its contractual dealings.
This will also ensure its customisation of products for this market will be carried out professionally. "Our competitors attempt to offer this service at a premium to the purchase price, while ARE includes it in the price," Rushmer explains. "Again, we make sure our customers get the best deal."
As part of the company's ISO certification, and to ensure it handles customer information timeously and through the appropriate channels, ARE is in the process of computerising its entire operation with a Customer Relationship Management system. All company documents and communication will soon be digitised and stored electronically to ensure they are processed appropriately and by the right people.
The IT system has been developed in-house and will ensure all the necessary processes associated with ISO certification are followed and that the company's focus on quality is maintained.
Power generation
One new area of operation the company will be entering in the near future is that of supplying and servicing power generators. MQ Power, one of the top manufacturers of power generators in the USA, recently approached ARE with a view to distributing its products in South Africa.
MQ has done its homework and found that energy shortages and power outages in the southern African region will treble in the next decade, making this a lucrative market. Never one to turn away a good business deal, Rushmer says ARE will begin distributing generators in the 15 kVA to 3 MW range in 2008.
The company is in the process of upgrading its facilities and installing new compressor and generator testing facilities to better support its existing and new business lines.
With 25 people on board, ARE focuses on finding, training and retaining people with the appropriate expertise to deliver the services its clients demand. It also takes its social responsibility obligations seriously and is committed to skills enhancement for its entire staff.
For more information contact Kevin Rushmer, Arthur Rushmer Engineering, +27 (0)11 908 4169, [email protected], www.are.co.za
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