News

FAW Vehicle Manufacturers SA (Pty) Ltd has started 2015 with yet another milestone added to its already remarkable track record. The truck manufacturer officially started up its own Body Shop facility, adjacent to the Coega-based Assembly Plant, in order to build its own truck bodies.

The layout of the Truck Body-building facility has been designed in accordance with environmental recommendations and standards. The build and logistics flow is highly efficient and cost-effective. The 3300 m3 building is well equipped with abundant ventilation, natural light and wide aisle space.

The ergonomics for employees are such that much of the work is done standing upright, as unnecessary bending or crouching has been avoided wherever possible.

Once an SKD pack is off-loaded it is thoroughly checked for component quality. The bulk of the pack, namely the bin, is checked for preparation to the assembly line. If minor reworking, including welding and grinding, is required, this is done first, before the bin proceeds along the assembly line to the scalding and degreasing chamber where it is thoroughly cleaning, treated chemically and dried. After the basic metal preparation the massive bins are moved safely along gantries to the fitment stations.

Other components, once checked, are moved to the ‘in-sequence’ stations where their fitment will take place - these include all hydraulics, lift arms and shafts.

Once the tipper body is carefully fitted, the completed vehicle is prepared for the Paint Shop. With the all the required hydraulics and the body fitment complete the FAW vehicle is primed, painted and finished through the impressive Paint Shop, and parked in the Drying and Final Inspection lanes.

FAW Vehicle Manufacturers SA (Pty) Ltd is one of few local OEMS to have built a large-scale Truck Body-building Shop, together with an appropriate Paint Shop Facility on this magnitude. It is equipped using the latest and best global technology for long-lasting truck body paint and finish.

High on the list of priorities are the SHEQ principles - Safety, Health, Environment and Quality – and FAW allows no compromise on any of these, as skilled employees in this region of the Eastern Cape are a prime consideration.

FAW will progressively expand its truck body offering to possibly include other configurations, even customised trailers, depending on demand from customers through the FAW dealer network.