Scania is on a bit of a roll in New Zealand, with their business growing fast since the factory owned Scania NZ operation was set up in 2018. They have around an eight percent market share now, which they have ambitions to grow strongly.
Part of this is looking at how they can improve their service offering for clients. To assist with this, the Scania Connect system allows them to see anonymised data of truck start-up locations on a map; this helps identify operating areas. From this they identified that the South Auckland area – part of the Golden Triangle of Auckland – Waikato – Tauranga was under serviced. To cater for this they have set up the new service (and sales) centre to service this area and as a demonstration of best in class servicing.
They started with the vacant premises, previously the home of a large construction company, which provided the base building and a spacious yard area. The new service facilities can accommodate four vehicles with a large canopy area being added and plenty of room for future expansion. Around $1.5 million has been spent on the facility but more impressively they have invested $5.5 million for parts stock at the facility (supplemented by the National Parts Warehouse in Mt Wellington). The parts collection was impressive as was the stated policy that if they have to order a part they don’t have in for a job, they will get two, so they have one on hand next time. On a six-day week 7.30-5pm basis, they can turn around 21 jobs a week but have plans to double shift (6am-10pm) with a target of 50+ jobs a week. Currently there are 13 staff, but this is planned to grow to 25 with one of the constraints being finding suitably trained staff (they want experienced technicians but can train the Scania specific knowledge). Alongside the new facility Scania is also committing to upgrading availability of specialised tools and training across the local service network of 21 service agents.
As well as the service centre, the facility will also be home to the national training school which will offer 48 different training courses including Euro 6, brakes and many more with both local and international resources available.
The workshop equipment was sourced through Sulco, with some specialised tools direct from Scania. Sulco supplied the two sets of Steril Koni hoists which have four wirelessly connected units (recharged overnight). This allows the workshop to be pit free for health and safety. Sulco also put together the technician tool kits (each technician is supplied with a full tool kit) and bulk oil distribution set-up which dispenses Scania brand lubricants.
