A South African provider of industrial and warehousing solutions, Shumani has recently become an importer and distributor for Anhui Heli, a global leader in forklift and warehousing equipment. This new partnership has led to the introduction of a unique South African-owned brand, Bheka, manufactured by Anhui Heli.
The collaboration allows Shumani to offer a locally branded product while benefiting from Heli’s advanced technology. The Bheka brand represents a significant step in Shumani’s growth strategy, highlighting the integration of local branding with global expertise and solidifying its market position as a key player in the industrial equipment sector.
“Anhui Heli is the leading manufacturer of forklift and warehousing equipment in China and ranks seventh globally. With the growing presence of Chinese forklift manufacturers in the past five years, partnering with one of the fastest-growing companies in the sector was a logical step for us in our quest to grow in Africa.”
comments Shumani MD Victor Nemukula.
Shumani’s partnership with Anhui Heli involves outsourcing 90% of its manufacturing to Heli, which delivers fully branded equipment under the Bheka name. This strategy enhances Shumani’s product offering, allowing it to provide a full suite of forklift and warehousing equipment, including terminal tractors, to the South African market.
Nemukula adds that the Bheka brand complements and extends Shumani’s existing product range, with all models available immediately and more additions planned for the future.
“We have evolved from being a sub-dealer to representing an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) in South Africa. The growth opportunities with our own brand are limitless, extending beyond South African borders.”
he highlights.
Shumani plans to leverage its established brand presence to grow the Bheka brand.
“We are already a significant player in the local market, and Bheka will benefit from that awareness. We are aggressively promoting Bheka forklifts in the market.”
says Nemukula.
In addition to product availability, Shumani remains committed to delivering high-quality service and maintenance. Customers can expect the same standard of care they have come to rely on, with Shumani offering 24/7/365 service and a 98% uptime target for Bheka equipment.
To further support the growth of the Bheka brand, Shumani will continue to provide flexible purchase options, including outright purchases, full maintenance leases ranging from 36 to 60 months, and short-term rentals. Nemukula also hints at potential launch specials tailored to meet the needs of various customers.
Speaking on behalf of Anhui Heli, spokesperson Andy Zhang stressed the company’s commitment to providing green, efficient, and affordable logistics solutions in South Africa.
Zhang points out that the partnership goes beyond selling forklifts.
“We hope to establish a good cooperation with Shumani and achieve a win-win situation in the market. Our aim is to provide high-quality, eco-friendly products that will contribute to South Africa’s economic development.”
he concludes.
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