www.automobil.co.za
August 2023
NEWs
KF South Africa is proud to announce that
they have awarded Mechanic Artisan Cer-
tificates to the first group of 20 artisans
who have successfully passed the Lubrication
Equipment Qualification.
SKF South Africa is a QCTO (Quality Council
of Trades and Occupation) approved Skills De-
velopment Provider and Trade Test Centre with
the ability to conduct specialised mechanical en-
gineering training, Apprenticeship training, ARPL
assessments and trade testing for mechanical
fitter and lubrication equipment mechanic trade
qualifications.
Nationally recognised by the QCTO, this new
Occupational Qualification places the qualified
artisans in the advantageous position of being
able to articulate into the occupations of Lubrica-
tion Analyst and Condition Monitoring. Addition-
ally, they may also enrol for Machine Lubricant
Analyst and Machinery Lubrication Technician
courses provided by the International Council of
Machinery Lubrication (ICML).
The development of the Artisanal Quali-
fication, which is open to South African and
non-South African citizens, was prompted by
the fact that a South African registered quali-
fication related to the automated lubrication
field did not exist. Although there are advanced
practices in various countries, there is no qual-
ification comparable to this one, making the
Lubrication Equipment Mechanic Qualification
a world first.
The two-day trade test is conducted at SKF’s
Test Centre in Jet Park, Johannesburg, which has
the capacity to offer pre-assessments and train-
ing facilitation for twelve candidates at any given
time. Comprising over 400m² of both practical
and theoretical areas, the centre is fully equipped
with all lubrication systems training panels fitted
with lubrication equipment, specialised lubri-
cation tools, an electrical testing training panel,
work benches, drilling and grinding machinery as
well as hydraulic, electrical, pneumatic lubrica-
tion equipment and pumps.
The curriculum of the two-day trade test con-
tains the following key content: Hand skills, lubri-
cation theory, lubrication systems repair, main-
tenance, installation and commission, lubrication
equipment repair, maintenance, installation and
commissioning. Single line, two line, progressive
and spray oil/grease lubrication systems as well as
oil circulation systems are applied in the course.
SKF awards artisan certificates
unlop Tyre’s entrepreneurship booster pro-
gramme, Business in a Box, is raising the
bar in the taxi tyre fitment space through
a unique partnership with the Dolphin Coast Taxi
Association. It aims to provide taxi operators in
the bustling business and residential hub of Ballito,
located on the north coast of KZN, with safe and
reliable tyres, as well as efficient tyre services.
Simunye Tyres, launched in July at the Ballito
taxi rank, is the culmination of a strategic alli-
ance between Daisy Govender, the owner of Tyre
Track Ballito, and the local taxi association.
With funding provided by the Small Enterprise
Finance Agency (SEFA), the new fitment centre
adds to a growing list of successful small busi-
nesses that are tapping into Dunlop’s innovative
plug-and-play business solution to serve local
communities.
Lubin Ozoux, CEO of Sumitomo Rubber South
Africa, manufacturer of the iconic Dunlop tyre
range, said this was a unique partnership that
was certain to raise the bar in the taxi tyre fit-
ment industry.
“We are extremely proud of our Business in
a Box solution. It is the improved version of our
Dunlop Container project that has more than 80
outlets and around 400 people employed around
the country. With the improved Business in a Box
solution, we aim to establish 48 centres across
SA by the end of 2024. The launch of Simunye
Tyres in Ballito is one of our early success stories
for Business in a Box, and testament to the com-
mitment we have to see small businesses grow
and play a part in the local economy. The centre
provides a much-needed service for taxi owners
and drivers, but more than that, will be contrib-
uting to a safer public transport system with our
quality safety-tested tyres,” says Ozoux.
Dunlop’s Business in a Box solution incorpo-
rates a partnership with SEFA to facilitate fund-
ing for successful applicants, creating a seamless
process from application to installation.
The inspiration for Simunye Tyres came from
Govender, who, after her husband’s sad pass-
ing, had taken over operations at his Tyre Track
centre in Ballito. In February 2022, she left her
well-established career in the real estate indus-
try for unfamiliar terrain in tyre fitment.
“It was a new journey for me, and while it was
a challenge getting to grips with the industry, I
soon found a rhythm and looked towards setting
a new challenge. I realised I had to think out of
the box,” she recalls.
A mere two minutes away from her business
premises, was the Dolphin Coast Taxi Association
rank, a hub of transport in the north coast of KZN.
“I had learnt about the Business in a Box op-
portunities from trade shows that I attended, and
realised this provided a business opportunity in
our area. At present, the local taxi association,
which comprises around 270 taxis, is forced to
drive to Stanger and Tongaat for any tyre relat-
ed issue. This long drive negatively impacts on
business as it means downtime from ferrying
paying passengers to their destinations, as well
as extra petrol costs to drive further from their
area of operation. Installing a Business in a Box at
the taxi rank would mean shorter down time, and
less fuel costs,” says Govender.
Simunye Tyres will offer tyre fitment, tyre
repairs, wheel balancing, wheel rotation, and ex-
pert advice and will also incorporate another lo-
cal business, AutoZone, to support with addition-
al motor accessories sales such as wiper blades,
brake pads and discs, and batteries.
For more information on Dunlop’s
Business in a Box solution,
visit: https://www.dunloptyres.
co.za/business-in-a-box
Dunlop launches business in a box