Atlas Copco expands rental services in Africa

Atlas Copco Group’s Specialty Rental Division has announced the expansion of its rental services into Africa led by a dedicated team to serve customers in the region

East Africa has been identified as the first phase of the strategic initiative with operations centred in Nairobi, Kenya. Rental equipment is sourced from rental specialist, Rand Air, which was acquired by Atlas Copco in 1999. Equipment is rented under the Rand Air brand in South Africa and as Atlas Copco Speciality Rental in region beyond southern Africa.

The expansion will be spearheaded by a dedicated leadership team comprising Rudi de Vry, business development manager for Africa; and Michaela Kock, business development support (both based at Rand Air Johannesburg), who will work with Muthee Maina, business development manager for East Africa, who operates from the Nairobi office.

According to de Vry, Atlas Copco has built a reputation as a prominent world-class brand across Africa and “it therefore made sound business sense to leverage this well-established presence by simply adding on premium quality rental services, managed by Atlas Copco Specialty Rental Africa, which is part of Atlas Copco’s Power Technique business area.”

Available air and power solutions

In line with the strategic initiative, Atlas Copco Speciality Rental will offer a comprehensive product lineup of air and power solutions tailored to effectively meet the demands of the region’s manufacturing, oil & gas, mining and geothermal sectors. “Our air rental portfolio comprises a range of high-pressure air compressors, including both oil-free and oil-injected models with capacities ranging from 1000cfm (25 bar) to 1200cfm (35 bar), alongside the PTS 800 oil-free medium-pressure diesel compressor,” explained Maina. He added that robust diesel generators serve the region’s power rental needs.

Maina also surmised that Atlas Copco Specialty Rental Africa will draw on the expertise of Atlas Copco Power Technique and Compressor Technique business areas that are based at Atlas Copco ACEA Nairobi Kenya, to service, maintain and repair rental units in East Africa. “This collaboration aligns with our objective of ensuring that our rental services maintain the high standards of excellence for which both Atlas Copco and Rand Air are renowned.”

“Once our rental services gain momentum in East Africa, we will set our sights on expanding further into North and West Africa,” continued de Vry, before adding that discussions are already in progress to collaborate with a potential reseller in a bid to enter the West African territory.