Mercedes-Benz Uptime Proves To Be The Blueprint For The Long-term Success Of Clark Logistics Solutions!
Clark Logistics Solutions (CLS) is one of the industry’s leading independent transport and logistics companies tracing its roots in South Africa in 2008. Over the years the company grew in leaps and bounds with customer business needs at the pinnacle of everything that they do. With a 100% Mercedes-Benz Trucks fleet in its stable, CLS has entrusted the success of its operation on Mercedes‑Benz Uptime - a ground-breaking system launched in South Africa three years ago as a service that is included in the Complete Maintenance Contract or alternately added as the Best Basic Service Contract on selected Mercedes-Benz Actros and Arocs models.
CLS forms part of the “Clark Group” of companies and over the years the operation has continued to make giant strides in the industry by providing transport and logistics solutions predominantly for small, medium, large retail, and FMCG organizations - focusing on the lower LSM markets and the distribution of bulk goods. Today it proudly flaunts an extensive national footprint with branches in Durban, Cape Town, and Johannesburg. CLS’s proven track record extends across linehaul, dedicated contracts, and local distribution throughout South Africa and in some neighbouring countries.
CLS has been a long-time and staunch supporter of the Mercedes-Benz Trucks brand, and today the company operates a fully-fledged Mercedes-Benz trucks fleet of 56 vehicles, which is a mix of Mercedes-Benz Actros and Axor models as well as approximately 75 Interlinks. Out of the total trucks in operation, 30% of the fleet has been successfully running with the Mercedes-Benz Uptime technology for over a year now. As a company that has been dependent on this system to have full control of its fleet, CLS believes that Mercedes-Benz Uptime is indeed a game-changer.
Always on the move, thanks to Mercedes‑Benz Uptime
The transport and logistics industry in South Africa is undeniably one of the paramount business services offered and as the industry continues to evolve, customer expectations are also increasing greatly. Customers expect to get their goods faster, more flexible, and safe and CLS has been able to achieve this, thanks to the support of the forward-thinking Mercedes-Benz Uptime system. With the system you can avoid any unplanned workshop visits as the system proactively identifies servicing requirements in the early stages, before becoming significant problems and causing the vehicles to be off the road longer.
Kobus Oosthuizen, Fleet Manager Clark Logistics commends the system’s technology: “I am pleased to say that we have been reaping the benefits of this leading-edge system for some time now and one of the biggest advantages for us has to be the preventative measures. As a result of the early warnings we receive, we are able to efficiently plan all our repairs and maintenance requirements way in advance, which has largely contributed to us preventing breakdowns and downtime before they actually happen. I am proud to say that our trucks are on the road as long as possible and are even more reliable now. Furthermore, we have set the bar high when it comes to on-time deliveries for our clients”.
Vehicle technical information; all just clicks away
Fleet managers are usually busy with no extra time on their hands, so with the help of a fully automatic telediagnosis, Mercedes‑Benz Uptime which continuously checks the status of vehicle systems in the truck in real-time can help free up fleet managers’ time so they can focus on other aspects of the business. With a mere click on the Mercedes‑Benz Uptime link, an overview of the customer’s fleet appears showing possible cases of maintenance and repairs. The data is interpreted, critical states identified, and where necessary, the customer is even immediately provided with a specifically tailored solution.
Oosthuizen further adds: “We all know that as fleet owners one of our biggest pain points are breakdowns and downtime. So with Mercedes-Benz Uptime we are now able, at a glance have a full view of the technical conditions of our vehicles whilst they are not onsite. This helps us to see when a vehicle has a problem and immediately plan all our workshop visits. In addition to this, the workshop can order all the necessary parts in advance which helps us to significantly minimize downtime”.
Dealer support is key to the success of the business
New Vaal Motors is one of the longest-serving medium dealerships for Daimler Truck Southern Africa (DTSA), situated in Duncanville Vereeniging next to the R59. The dealership is renowned for its uncompromising commitment to providing the highest level of customer service and being an integral part of its customers’ businesses. CLS hails the dealership for being the intrinsic ingredient to the success of the company by ensuring the company takes full advantage of the Mercedes-Benz Uptime technology to move its business forward and provide day-to-day support.
Oosthuizen expands on the critical role dedicated dealer support plays: “I am delighted to say that we have maintained a very close relationship with New Vaal Motors and to say the least, I can safely say that our business is in capable hands. We have created open communication channels which allow us to contact the workshop manager and the dealer principal at any given time. Niki van der Walt, Service Advisor for the dealership has been exceptional in ensuring that we quickly adapt to the Mercedes-Benz Uptime system, she always sends us daily updates, to ensure that we do not miss out on any servicing requirements that are due. We are excited about future collaborations as our business continues to grow”.
Exciting future ahead with Mercedes-Benz Uptime
Moving forward into the future, it is evident that the logistics and transport industry is quickly becoming fully data-driven allowing fleet owners to keep track of their fleet around the clock. With future-ready technologies and services such as Mercedes-Benz Uptime, CLS is optimistic about the future success of its operation and looks forward to having its entire fleet completely fitted with the seamless and hassle-free Mercedes-Benz Uptime system in the upcoming years.
“We are excited and ready to further expand our footprint across the country and beyond. In line with our growth strategy, we are expecting another delivery of new Mercedes-Benz Actros 5 models in the next few weeks which, with no hesitation will also be fitted with Mercedes-Benz Uptime to keep them on the road where they belong. It has been an incredible journey with the Mercedes-Benz Trucks team and New Vaal Motors, and we are not expecting anything different as we transition into a remarkable future ahead”, concludes Oosthuizen.