Marcopolo SA launches new face-lift
Marcopolo SA launches a highly anticipated face-lift of their commuter buses.
Staying true to their tag line, ‘Bringing people together’, Marcopolo SA did exactly that at the exciting launch of their new commuter buses last Tuesday.
Associates, suppliers and consumers operating within the bus industry came from different area codes within the country, while others flew in from distant lands such as Mozambique, Malawi and Brazil to bear witness to the evolution of Marcopolo.
All guests convened at the Southern Sun OR Tambo International Airport, before being transported in luxury buses to Marcopolo Germiston, where an informative factory tour and the final reveal of the new game-changing product awaited.
Johan Kruger, the production manager at Marcopolo SA Germiston, reminisced about the official opening of the production plant in 2001, stating that their production had improved drastically from back then until now and recalled how their work earned them prestigious collaborations.
“Ahead of the 2010 World Cup, we built 460 coaches participating in bringing nations together in such a memorable time for our country,” he said.
“We manufactured buses suited for our colourful nation and continue to do so today not only for SA but sub-Saharan countries as well.
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“Over the years we have shifted to lean proficiency in our manufacturing processes.
“This allows us to ensure the perfect value of creation in our plant which aligns with the standards of Marcopolo worldwide.”
The production manager further stated that he believed that if the processes used in the production phase were correct, the end result would continue being perfect.
Over the years the company has invested in its staff by coordinating programmes dedicated to upskilling them, and it endeavours to continue the people development strategy for its internal and external staff in sales and after-sales.
Following the factory tour, esteemed guests like Danilo Aziz and Valdemar Jessen from Mozambique, as well as Bonisile Mhlongo from Nkqayi Transport Services, expressed their excitement and anxiousness for the big reveal.
Tendai Mapondera, supply chain manager at Marcopolo SA, gave audiences a glimpse of the logistics and procurement process before revealing the new face-lift, putting guests further in suspense.
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“We ensure components are the right quality and cost, further ensuring that they are delivered to the right place at the right time with the correct documentation,” he said.
“With our Verticalisation Strategy, we continuously improve our processes, resulting in reduced lead times, quality and cost improvements and customer service.
“We have also increased on localisation by buying components locally rather than importing them from other countries. We proudly comply with Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE); therefore, we are involved in sustainable job creation methods.”
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A number of delegates followed after Tendai congratulating and expressing their happiness for the evolution, and soon it was time to reveal the new Paradiso G7 FL, Andare FL and Torino, labelled, the evolution of Marcopolo.
New features on the Torino include aluminium side panels, new parcel shelves, new bonnet and dashboard, new front dome and headlights, new rear dome and tail-lights and new material colours.
The internal body packs 66 fixed-back vinyl seats, a parcel rack, electronic destination, a two-leaf pneumatic passenger door, hot air demister and wheelbase luggage lockers.
The Andare FL features a new front dome and headlights, new rear dome and tail-lights, new bonnet and dashboard and new material colours.
On the Paradiso G7 FL consumers can expect all new LED headlights, front grille with stainless steel finish, new front and rear bumpers, new stairway lights, new material colours, new design on rood fibre, new stainless steel finish on sides, external mirrors, engine door and brand identification, as well as a new design of seats.
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