In any large market, successfully serving a company’s customer base encompasses more than the supply of quality products. Aftersales service, technical back-up and support are equally important but can present challenges. Christo Buys, channel sales manager EMEA, Rockwell Automation, discusses the important role that distributors and channel partners can play.
The Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA) market is the largest automation market in the world and as such it presents both unique challenges and opportunities. While there are numerous growth opportunities, the sheer size of the market impacts on the reach of the company and its sales activities. For companies like Rockwell Automation the solution to these types of challenges is the appointment of trusted, quality channel partners, such as distributors.
Distributors generally enjoy a closer relationship with customers and end users, helping to ensure that they enjoy quality of service and support. In addition, distributors often have a large stock holding on site to help ensure the constant availability of spares and reduce lead times on new stock, especially for remote areas.
Rockwell Automation has an extensive channel partner network – companies that have comprehensive product knowledge on the Rockwell Automation and Allen-Bradley range and who are able to offer excellent supply chain capabilities.
Strategic guidelines are made available to channel partners and distributors to assist in achieving market access and ensuring consistency of service to customers and end users. In addition, Rockwell Automation selects only those channel partners that meet the company’s stringent requirements.
One such company is Johannesburg-based CraigCor Distribution, an AAA+ distributor.
CraigCor Distribution is an authorised member of Rockwell Automation’s extensive channel partner network
CraigCor has been distributing Rockwell Automation’s Allen-Bradley products for over 10 years and enjoys an excellent, supportive relationship with the company. Rockwell provides CraigCor with extensive pre and post-sales support. In turn, CraigCor meets requirements by offering its customer base excellent product knowledge – being an Allen-Bradley specialist – comprehensive stockholding, and service and support through a dedicated field service division. The company is also a three time recipient of the Rockwell Automation Distributor of the Year Award.
Reinstatement opportunity for ECSA registration
News
In 2023 the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) announced a special opportunity for engineers in South Africa to reinstate their registration status if it had been cancelled. This exclusive offer is available until the end of August 2024.
Read more...Pepperl+Fuchs Channel Partner Conference Pepperl+Fuchs
News
Pepperl+Fuchs recently hosted its Channel Partner Conference. Under the theme ‘Together, Breaking Ground in Africa’, the conference served as both a celebration of partnerships and a strategic forum focused on future growth.
Read more...Bühler celebrates expansion, innovation and sustainability
News
Bühler has marked another milestone in its dedication to regional support with the expansion of its Cape Town Service Centre. Hosting its annual customer day, the company showcased the facility’s new offerings and highlighted its commitment to service excellence, local innovation, and sustainability.
Read more...From the editor's desk: First break it, then fix it Technews Publishing (SA Instrumentation & Control)
News
Welcome to another year with SA Instrumentation & Control. May it be a happy and healthy one where you can rise to the challenges ahead and still enjoy all the good things we have in this country.
...
Read more...SEW-EURODRIVE’s new service and repair centre SEW-EURODRIVE
News
As part of its strategy to ‘close the loop’ in its service offering, SEW-EURODRIVE has broken ground on a new 17 000 m2 Service and Repair Centre. The establishment of the state-of-the-art facility plugs the gap for expert repair services for gearboxes in Africa.
Read more...EtherCAT Technology Group holds its annual Plug Fest
News
The 2024 EtherCAT Plug Fest of the EtherCAT Technology Group offered participants a valuable opportunity to test the interoperability of their 9 EtherCAT MainDevices and 10 EtherCAT SubDevices. Using the knowledge gained, they will be able to improve compatibility and optimise their products for use in the field.
Read more...Leading the way in industrial automation and digital transformation Iritron
News
As a pioneering engineering, integration, and manufacturing firm, Iritron has built a reputation as a trusted partner in critical industries such as mining, energy and manufacturing. By embedding innovation and expertise into its four foundational pillars, the company continues to deliver tailored solutions that meet the evolving needs of modern industry.
printer friendly version