Serco ready to surge ahead
TRUCK and trailer body building company Serco’s new factory building in Phoenix Industrial Park, Durban, is complete, adding an extra 6 000m of undercover space to the existing premises.
All that is left now is for the green light to be given by the eThekwini Municipality and for the panel-manufacturing press to be commissioned.
“Then there’ll be two or three months of training and testing before we go live early in the new year,” said Serco’s managing director, Clinton Holcroft.
“When the new line is fully commissioned with the new machinery in place we’ll be able to double our capacity, giving us a lot of scope for growth over the next few years.
“It looks impressive, and we are excited about the potential of the new facility, which is going to change the way we manufacture. A production-line principle will bring improved efficiencies and increased output.”
Green elements include clear sheeting along the sides of the building to provide natural lighting, and a system to store rainwater for use in the wash bays. Also in place is a sophisticated fire sprinkler system.
Another feature is a dock leveller for efficient handling of materials. Holcroft said the injection panel manufacturing process made possible by the new press would be a first in southern Africa for refrigerated vehicle building. “It will set a new benchmark for us in terms of panel strength and thermal efficiency.”