Standalone brand celebrates its first year
NEWS/ The 2017 bombshell of GMSA’s exit left owners of Isuzu Motors SA apprehensive. Now everything is back on track, writes Phuti Mpyane
The new Isuzu Motors SA (IMSA), established following the 2017 exit of General Motors, recently celebrated its first year of operating independently in this country.
Among the many aspects of repurposing systems to align with Isuzu’s international standards and protocols was the mammoth task of relocating its truck production facilities to the company’s new HQ in Struandale, Port Elizabeth, resulting in the merging of manufacture of the Isuzu D-Max bakkie and Isuzu’s three truck series under one roof.
“Having both Isuzu production facilities under one roof has many advantages, including driving a common team culture and the optimisation of shared resources,” said Michael Sacke, CEO and MD.
“We started with regular production of our market-leading trucks at their new home in Struandale in January 2019.
“These changes have resulted in greater efficiencies in terms of our manufacturing support resources and an opportunity to improve the application of our lean manufacturing system,” he said.
Compared to the old Kempston Road location, which operated for 21 years, a 50% improvement in space utilisation under one roof was achieved and a 22% improvement in the amount of space required, said the company.
“It took many months to study, plan and execute the truck plant move and offered the ideal opportunity to correct historical layout inefficiencies,” said manufacturing and supply chain executive Johan Vermeulen.
“Materials are now stored closer to the truck line, which reduces travel distances substantially. This improves efficiency and eliminates waste and unnecessary cost. We also used the opportunity to work together with our source plant to change the way that material is packed, providing us with easier access to the correct material at the correct time. We also came up with some innovative solutions with regards to material storage,” said Vermeulen.
“By uniting the two manufacturing facilities, the end result will be even better that is, quality products and services to both our truck and bakkie customers,” he said.
Isuzu is the market-leading truck seller in SA’s medium and heavy truck segments, with its N-Series and F-Series.
Strategic partnerships, among them the purchase of truck body building specialist Kanu three years ago, have contributed. As an official IMSA subsidiary, Kanu builds truck bodies for Isuzu customers, from the basic to the bespoke.
HAVING BOTH ISUZU