DAIMLER Truck AG has been a leader in the commercial vehicle industry since the creation of the truck more than 125 years ago and is currently one of the largest commercial vehicle manufacturers in the world.
Daimler Truck Southern Africa Ltd, which was founded in South Africa more than 60 years ago, along with its affiliates Sandown Motor Holdings (Pty) Ltd and Daimler Truck Financial Services South Africa (Pty) Ltd, offers an ideal experience for our valued clients based on a wide range of goods and services.
The Group's top brands, including Mercedes-Benz Trucks, Mercedes-Benz Buses, and FUSO Trucks, as well as, its provision of parts and services for Freightliner and Western Star trucks, are the foundation of its success.
Its market-leading value-added services in Fleetboard, Truckstore, Truck Training, and Financial Services support its product line. The company's headquarters are in Pretoria, the South African capital, and all of its goods are produced locally in its East London production facility. Southern Africa encompasses South
Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Botswana, Eswatini, Namibia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Previously, Daimler' group headquarters in Stuttgart served as the primary management location for Southern Africa. The business has remained even more responsive to the market as a result of further decentralisation. In this regard, the many years of product and service-related expertise are just as valuable as the diverse product portfolio provided by the group's many commercial vehicle brands.
End of last month I was fortunate enough to be invited to South Africa to witness the official opening of their imposing majestic eco-friendly office park building in Centurion, South Africa.
The new office facility and business campus of Daimler Truck Southern Africa (DTSA) were formally opened by both the international and local governing authorities. The campus is situated to provide convenience and easy access. It houses its headquarters, training facilities, used and new car retail facilities, as well as a completely dedicated Daimler Truck Financial Services firm.
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Nomalungelo Gina, the deputy minister of trade, industry, and economic development for the Republic of South Africa, officially opened the new DTSA building in the presence of its major players, including clients, dealer partners, general distributors, suppliers, and business partners.
Karin Rådström, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Trucks and a member of the Daimler Truck AG management board, Stephan Unger, head of Financial Services of Daimler Truck AG and a member of the board of directors, German Ambassador to the Republic of South Africa/eSwatini/Lesotho, Andreas Peschke Michael Dietz, president and CEO of Daimler Truck Southern Africa; Andreas von Wallfeld, Head of Daimler Truck Overseas; and the DTSA board of directors.
Karin Rådström, member of the board of management Daimler Truck AG and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Trucks, commented on this historic occasion and noteworthy accomplishment: "I am excited to be part of the DTSA headquarters' inauguration, reaffirming our commitment into one of our strategic markets in Africa.
“The investment demonstrates our deep passion for people and diversity, two qualities South Africa is known for, in addition to confirming our position as a major player on the international commercial vehicle scene. The team is now appropriately equipped with the new headquarters to serve our customers in this crucial area for Daimler Truck.”
Member of the Daimler Truck AG board of management and head of Financial Services Stephan Unger adds: "The new headquarters is a warm home for our employees in South Africa. The idea of combining financial services and sales and marketing under one roof is a wise move in our quest to provide our clients comprehensive transportation options”.
Daimler Truck Overseas CEO Andreas von Wallfeld stated: "I am very pleased of our new home for our employees here in South Africa. Being truly customer-centric and having an all-inclusive commercial vehicle campus that handles every area of our business is benchmark.
“As a team, we are incredibly humbled by how far we have gone since becoming an independent company on December 1 2021,” said Michael Dietz, president and CEO of Daimler Truck Southern Africa Ltd. “This day is a terrific beginning for us, and I am looking forward to developing a great workplace for our staff, as well as totally satisfying our clients and consistently providing for all those that keep Africa running.”
In order to set up this establishment, which started in the first quarter of 2021, it was necessary to purchase an 11-hectare campus, renovate the current workplaces, add a special training facility for DTSA, and most significantly, build new Daimler Truck Southern Africa headquarters.
The DTSA headquarters and TruckStore facilities, which house about 600 employees throughout the property, were built with the express purpose of fostering a comfortable and sustainable workplace.
These structures' design incorporated a number of green elements.
To reduce electricity demands and decrease solar heat absorption, all windows and facades are screened. Low heat gains and losses are further ensured by high quality low-E double glazing. In order to accommodate future solar installation and rainwater collecting on one facade, the roof slopes toward the north.
Utilising parking spaces and roof spaces to produce electricity lessens the need for non-renewable resources. Around 350 kW of electricity is produced from 752 solar panels. This is consistent with the goal of being net-zero.
The DTSA Group of Companies' dedication to its clients in South Africa and the whole Southern Africa region is clearly demonstrated by this grand opening. It is a clear sign that Daimler Truck Southern Africa is expanding its operations into the region to take advantage of growth opportunities obtaining in Southern Africa. Zimbabwe stands to benefit from skills, technology, new products and parts availability from this drive into Southern Africa by DTSA.
andrew@muzamhindo.com.
