Namlog truck clocks more than two million kilometres
A truck in the fleet of a trans-national logistics company that started in Namibia, has completed more than two million kilometres, a distance that would take it around the globe almost 60 times.
Namlog, derived from Namibia Logistics and founded in 2002 has grown into an extensive supply chain group, made up of four companies with operations in South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana. Today Namlog has its head office in Johannesburg. The other companies in the group are Mellets Transport in Kuruman, SLI in Windhoek and Gentex in Gaborone.
The group employs more than 500 people and manages numerous distribution centres on behalf of global and blue-chip clients through long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships.
“Two Bar” is the fitting nickname for Namlog’s Hino 500-Series 1324 freight carrier that has covered more than 2.3-million kilometres since it was purchased new in 2009.
The Hino has covered this distance without any major mechanical problems. The bottom end of the engine is original, as is the gearbox and rear axle. The engine had the cylinder head reconditioned and only high-wear items like the clutch plate, the starter motor and the alternator have been replaced. For this year, a cabin respray has been budgetted.
Its operating cost is still so low that there are no immediate plans to retire this incredible Hino. Average fuel consumption is about 22.5l/100km which is acceptable for this type of operation where the average load is about five tons. Servicing took place every 30,000 km when it was on long-distance routes and the interval has been cut to every 20,000 km for shorter runs.
Namlog is one of the major contractors involved with moving Toyota, Lexus, and Hino parts from the distribution centre in Ekurhuleni to the network of dealers in South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana.
“These operations all function on the Just-In-Time Kaizen principle with limited time windows for collection and delivery so we need reliable trucks above all else,” explained Albie Greyvenstein, Namlog’s National Fleet Manager.
Namlog has more than 60 Hino trucks in its fleet and recently added a further, four being a 714 automatic and two 1326 freighters all fitted with tautliner bodies as well as a 1018 with a drop side body. The company is in the process of replacing some of the delivery vans in the fleet with Hino 300-Series trucks with automatic transmission.
Usually Namlog considers replacing its trucks when they have covered between 700 000 and 800 000km as they start costing money in terms of repairs, so the Two Bar Hino is very much an exception to the rule and is now on its way to covering three million kilometres.
Pictured with Namlog’s Hino 1324 freight carrier that has covered more than 2.3-million kilometres are (from left): Garth Middleditch, Sales Executive at Hino East Rand; Albie Greyvenstein, Namlog’s National Fleet Manager; Leslie Long, Hino SA’s Senior Manager – Marketing, Product, and Demand Planning; and Christo Swartz, CEO of Namlog.
