Could you provide an overview of the company’s performance in FY24?

In 2024, we registered record turnover, with robust, double-digit growth - the second year of successive rapid growth. Major milestones over the past two years include the introduction of the Manitou brand into our portfolio (which comprises of JLG and Linde Material Handling), and opening a new standalone Repair & Service Centre to cover customer’s Manitou equipment. Our offering has significantly broadened, and the introduction of the Manitou product range has allowed Eazi Access to start servicing underground mining units and develop this market. Manitou has a strong brand in South Africa, and Eazi Access’ footprint will help bring this brand closer to customers across the sub-Saharan region. We’re also offering, for the first time, Manitou TLBs, skid steer loaders, and forklifts.

What drove the opening of the Repair and Service Center in Pretoria?

Eazi Access recognised the opportunity to tap deeper into the after-sales demand, particularly for sourcing spare parts, offering technical maintenance, repairs and refurbishment, as many mining companies no longer have the full in-house technical teams or parts inventory they once had due to cost-cutting or restructuring.

The weak Rand means importing new machinery and parts is expensive, so instead of buying new equipment, our customers are more interested in extending the life of their existing equipment. We are capitalizing on this trend by offering affordable local repair and refurbishing services to extend the life of units as an alternative to replacement. Beyond saving costs for our customers and helping them reduce downtime, creating a second life for existing equipment also offers environmental benefits.

What products or features are most in demand today across Eazi Access’ portfolio?

Eazi Access has significantly increased our telehandler fleet, which goes both to our mining customers as well as our renewable energy customers, whether solar, wind or hydro power. South Africa is undergoing a boom in energy infrastructure, which presents us with an opportunity to expand our business. 

In terms of technological features, safety remains the priority. Our operators are trained to support customers on the latest safety features and safe usage of equipment. Automation and monitoring features improve equipment reliability (reducing breakdowns), maximizing availability, and preventing downtime are some of the most important aspects our customers seek out in their machinery they operate.

How has Eazi Access helped expand the market share of the brands it represents?

JLG is the original OEM brand Eazi Access created awareness for through focused marketing activities. These marketing initiatives have been acknowledged by JLG with Eazi Access receiving The JLG Best Marketing Award for the EMEAI Region in 2022 & 2023, with JLG becoming the number one work-at-height brand in South Africa. This is something we are immensely proud of and a testament to our dedication and strategy.

Manitou already has a well-established brand recognition within the South African and sub-Saharan markets. Eazi Access has further enhanced the brand through driving our customer solutions offering through the Manitou product range.  We have extensive coverage through our existing footprint, commercial acumen, and expert operators to further penetrate these markets on the back of our existing large customer base into new territories. 

Looking at the main industries you serve, what’s your outlook going forward,?

In the construction sector, demand is steady, with several warehouses being built, and the government playing a bigger role in supporting infrastructure projects. In the mining space, Eazi Access has continued expanding its presence, and supporting new mining application solutions, such as specialist underground equipment and services. The energy sector is booming, with developments like TotalEnergies’ big gas project in Northern Mozambique and South Africa’s heavy investments in wind and solar to offset current grid shortages. I personally see a runway of another 20 years of energy investments in South Africa alone. We are partnering with these new energy investors on projects and with mines with lifetimes between 30 to 100 years, so we believe there are long-term growth opportunities for Eazi Access for decades to come.

What are your main priorities in the next 12–18 months?

Our priority is, and will always be, to improve our solutions driving customer centricity. It may all start with a product, but it is much more important to partner with our customers, understand the challenge, and help customers improve productivity while driving safety and mitigating risks.