Marcopolo S.A.

MARCOPOLO S.A.

D

ue to the COVID-19 pandemic, both global and national industries have been hit hard by reduction in demand and the adaptation required to continue safe operations across workplaces and sites.

South African manufacturing, for example, decreased by approximately 3.5 percent in November 2020 as compared to the same time in 2019. Despite this, the beginning of 2021 has shown that many companies have adjusted to the challenges of

2 | Africa Outlook issue 91

MANUFACTURING

MANUFACTURING SINCE 1949 We take a look at Marcopolo S.A. and the company’s design, manufacture and business collaboration to supply bus bodies to the South African market Writer: Marcus Kääpä | Project Manager: Ryan Gray

Africa Outlook issue 91 | 3

ALP AFRICA PTY LTD Innovators in polymer technology

EPDM Mats – Our vast range of EPDM mats not only conforms to the aesthetical requirements but are also long lasting. This range includes various safety flooring options such as Rubber Tiles and Gym Mats in various colours and patterns. This range also consists of EPDM Underlay which is used as Acoustic barrier between floors. In addition to a variety of Door, Car & Scooter Mats, the company has a range of Mats which are blended with fibre for superior strength to suit requirements across LCV & HCVs. From Mud Flaps to Bed Mats, this blended range guarantees best quality and durability.

EPDM COLORED GRANULES Features • High Quality EPDM polymer base • ROHS Compliance • REACH Compliance • HIGHER ELASTICITY • NON-CARCINOGENIC • HALOGEN FREE

Applications • Children Play Ground Area • Athletic Track • Jogging Track • Sports flooring • Anti-Slip flooring

Aflex-ECO is a closed cell flexible elastomeric foam made from Nitrile rubber. This material has low thermal conductivity and high water vapour diffusion resistance. It is CFC/ HCFC free and dust and fiber free. It ensures energy saving in eco-friendly manner. This product meets insulation requirement in diverse fields such as the automobile, air conditioning & refrigeration industry, construction industry, pharma industry, hotels/ hospital and cold storage industry.

Elasto roof is a NBR foam insulation sheet laminated one side with highly reflective aluminium foil and other side open cell.

It reduces 95% radiant heat, minimizes condensation and reduces noise transmission.

MARCOPOLO S.A.

have remained for more than 40 years and that is where I grew up watching Marcopolo buses arrive and depart. One of my greatest childhood joys was when the bus drivers invited me to go from one city to another with them. And this is how my interest in working for one of these public transportation companies was awakened.

Africa Outlook: Can you tell us how you came to work for Marcopolo S.A.?

Lucas Gabardo, General Manager: “I was literally born into the automotive and bus industry.

“My father was an intercity bus driver during the 1970s and my parents decided to set up a business in a bus station in a small town in Brazil, where I was born. There they

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“At the age of 16, I started my journey as an office assistant, and it did not take long before I was back and forth driving the company’s buses. In 2011, already studying mechanical engineering, I decided to pursue a new direction and I was hired as an intern in the engineering department of Marcopolo. Later, after graduating in 2015, I could live my first international experience for the company, going to Colombia.

The following year I was appointed to be responsible for the engineering department at GBPolo, joint venture of Marcopolo in Egypt, where I

stayed for one and a half years.

“In 2017 I was appointed as the leader of a special project in the United Arab Emirates, and the year after I was assigned to lead an engineering team at Marcopolo’s Mexico unit. In 2019, back to Brazil, I became responsible for the global management system of the company, the “Marcopolo Way”.

In this area I had the opportunity to cover and interact with all the company’s departments across all the company’s operations worldwide. At the end of 2020 I was appointed to the current position, as General Manager of Marcopolo South Africa.

“Here, our mission is to transform the industry and promote the best mobility solutions for our people and we are proud to maintain a production unit. We will continue with ambitious plans to expand the brand in the continent.”

ALP AFRICA PTY LTD

ALP Africa was formally known as Glengyn (Pty) Ltd. and was trading in South Africa since 2008. ALP Africa acquired Tensile Rubber Extrusions in December 2014, which is situated in Rosslyn, Pretoria. Group’s main focus has been on the Automotive, Mass transportation, HVAC & R, Packaging, Industrial, Construction & Building sealing industry. ALP Africa is situated in Rosslyn, Pretoria next to the assembly plants of NISSAN and BMW, supplying products to various industries and customers.

Innovators in polymer technology MANUFACTURERS & IMPORTERS OF INDUSTRIAL RUBBER & NITRILE AND PLASTIC EXTRUSIONS AND MOULDING. ALP Africa is a part of ALP Group – www. alpgroup.in - Leaders in EPDM & Rubber polymer based products.

ALP group was founded in 1985 in India with a vision to become the largest manufacturer of synthetic rubber extrusion company in India.

The ALP Group has got an extended foot prints in India with global representation in South Africa, USA, Europe, Thailand, Australia and New Zealand.

The ALP Group is a USD 160 million group constituting of companies spread across the globe, with core expertise in Research, Design & Development and the manufacturing of polymer based products.

The 36 year old group has a portfolio of over 10,000 products for the global Automotive and Mass Transport sector, as an OEM and Aftermarket supplier for weather sealing systems and accessories. The global Construction & Building Industry use the groups products for weather sealing, thermal and acoustic insulation.

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T +27-12 541 7691

• Highest quality of rubber extrusions and rubber moulded products, • Excellence in service and delivery performance, • Value-add to a variety of industries in sealing technology for a wide range of uses.

At ALP Africa we have the expertise & ability to extrude and mould a range of materials namely EPDM, SBR and NBR. We also process Nitrile Rubber for our insulation products. For special application we do look at TPE/TPR, Neoprene and PVC.

HVAC & R, Packaging and Industrial industry use the groups product extensively for insulation and sealing systems.

alpafrica.co.za

The reputation of ALP Africa has been built on three pillars:

ALP AFRICA PTY LTD

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+27- 12 541 0716

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E info@alpafrica.co.za

MARCOPOLO S.A. COVID-19, and even though the pandemic is still present, these businesses are moving forward with endurance during this “new normal”.

Having adapted to the new reality of the industry, and continuing to supply South Africa in the manufacturing space, is Marcopolo S.A.

MANUFACTURING QUALITY Marcopolo S.A. is a Brazilian company founded in 1949 that actively participates in the development and implementation of solutions for the collective transport of passengers

MARCOPOLO S.A. – COMPANY VALUES RESPECT AND APPRECIATION FOR PEOPLE - Marcopolo S.A. believes that the most important aspect of a company is to have committed and engaged people.

MAKE IT HAPPEN WITH EXCELLENCE - Performance with excellence is what sets the company apart.

CLIENT SATISFACTION - Marcopolo S.A. has a commitment in everything they do to result in client satisfaction.

ETHICS AND INTEGRITY – Marcopolo S.A. actions are a reflection of its words.

SUSTAINABILITY – Keeping a solid company in the present and thinking about the future is what makes Marcopolo S.A. strive forward.

TEAMWORK - Through collaboration Marcopolo S.A. can accomplish much more.

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in the international market. The company’s product line covers coaches, city bus, commuter and micro bus models.

Headquartered in Caxias do Sul, Brazil, Marcopolo S.A. has three production units in the country and 13 abroad, existing as one of the world’s biggest bus body builders. It continually invests in its improvement, technology and expansion, being considered a world reference in bus bodies with more than 400,000 units produced in total. Among the company’s core principles are those of teamwork and respect for its employees and associated organisations and individuals, valuing diversity and the construction of respectful professional relationships.

As a 100 percent subsidiary of Marcopolo S.A., Marcopolo South Africa Ltd (MASA) continues to replicate the group’s domestic successes in one of its key global markets.

Valeo Valeo is an automotive supplier, partner to all automakers worldwide.

As a technology company, Valeo proposes innovative products and systems that contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions and make mobility cleaner and safer.

Within its Thermal Business Valeo has a leading position in the bus market, developing and manufacturing customized A/C and heating systems, roof hatches and smart electronic control units.

As a long term business partner of Marcopolo, a major supplier and service provider Valeo TCV has played a key role in the success of Marcopolo worldwide including Africa.

www.valeo-thermalbus.com

Picture: ©CoreDESIGN/stock.adobe.com

MANUFACTURING

We make mobility cleaner and safer Heating and climate control systems for busses. Worldwide.

For more than 60 years.

VALEO THERMAL COMMERCIAL VEHICLES SA (PTY) LTD. | PHONE +27 11 422 2720 | WWW.VALEO-THERMALBUS.COM

“MARCOPOLO S.A. ALWAYS SEEKS TO CREATE INNOVATIVE AND TRULY VALUABLE TRANSPORT SOLUTIONS FOR CUSTOMERS, PASSENGERS, COLLABORATORS AND BUSINESS PARTNERS - GENERATION 8 REPRESENTS THIS. A CONCEPT DESIGNED TO MAKE BUSES SAFER, MORE COMFORTABLE, MORE EFFICIENT AND MORE PROFITABLE, OUR GOAL WAS TO DESIGN A VEHICLE CAPABLE OF TRANSFORMING THE TRAVEL EXPERIENCE” – JAMES BELLINI, CEO, MARCOPOLO S.A.

Africa Outlook issue 91 | 9

MARCOPOLO S.A. “With factories on five continents, the vehicles produced by Marcopolo S.A. drive on the roads of over one hundred countries,” Lucas Gabardo, General Manager for MASA, tells us proudly. “The South African operation now completes its 20th anniversary and is proud to contribute to the socio-economic development of the region in which it operates, promoting investments and providing hundreds of jobs that encompass its entire supply chain. We serve mainly the right-hand drive (RHD) markets of the sub-Saharan Africa region with a complete product portfolio that meets all requirements of our customers.”

A core part of MASA’s vision is to be key providers and enablers in the sustainable mobility solutions space. The company strives to become the preferred bus body builder and manufacturer in Africa, leading with quality and an innovative product portfolio. MASA ensures

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“THROUGH TEAMWORK WE DELIVER PRODUCTS THAT ARE A WORLD REFERENCE IN TERMS OF DESIGN, SAFETY, QUALITY AND INNOVATION” – LUCAS GABARDO, GENERAL MANAGER, MARCOPOLO SOUTH AFRICA that at all stages of production and manufacturing there is the highest level of professional treatment as well as endeavouring to be the fastest solution provider on the market.

“What differentiates us from our competitors is our people,” Gabardo says. “We have passion for what we do, and our values are our motivators.

We always operate with excellence to exceed the expectations of our customers. Through teamwork we deliver products that are a world reference in terms of design, safety, quality and innovation. The ethics and integrity of each one of our collaborators allows us to have the

confidence of our customers and partners.

“When we talk about our products, it is essential to remember that Marcopolo S.A., and each of its subsidiaries, tests extensively all the vehicles that go to market. With a team of approximately 300 engineers, durability, safety and reliability tests are conducted and have top priority.

We invest heavily in technology and innovation driven by our vision to be protagonist in mobility solutions in a sustainable way.”

NEXT GENERATION The consistency of testing and

MANUFACTURING

safety, as well as the enduring highquality echoes throughout all levels of Marcopolo S.A.’s manufacturing operations around the globe, and spurs the company forward in the market. The company is currently presenting the launch of the most awaited models in the national and international intercity bus markets Generation 8.

“The new line represents a breakthrough in innovation for the brand, with unique standards of safety, comfort, connectivity, handling and ergonomics, for both the passengers and drivers,” Gabardo informs us. “Composed of the traditional models such as the Viaggio and Paradiso lines, Generation 8 was developed for the chassis models of the biggest automakers and, from August onwards, they will leave the assembly line at the Ana Rech plant, in Caxias do Sul. Initially focused on the Brazilian market, its arrival in the African continent is expected in the

The company is currently presenting the launch of the most awaited models in the national and international intercity bus markets - Generation 8

next few years.”

Generation 8 stands out in the market due to its striking appearance.

It follows the Marcopolo S.A. design DNA that values the fluidity of lines in a clean and modern design to convey a sense of streamlining and

speed. The design of the project was carefully thought out to benefit operators, drivers and passengers, and was a collaborative effort made by the design, engineering, and industrial operations teams at Marcopolo S.A. Africa Outlook issue 91 | 11

MARCOPOLO S.A. “In the South African operation we have recently finalised the delivery of a batch of 100 units Torino G7 to our customer PUTCO, one of the largest commuter operators in South Africa,” Gabardo tells us. “We at MASA are honoured to participate in this great project, and we give our special thanks to Mr. Franco Pisapia, Executive Director and Mr. Harry Makitla, Technical Executive, for their trust in the company and for guiding and supporting us during the development of this product.”

Always concerned with customer satisfaction, Marcopolo S.A. also recently launched a new model Torino S. The primary objective of this model is its ease of maintenance, and it is presently available for MercedesBenz OF1723, Scania F95, and Hino 500 bus chassis.

PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATION Besides the fruitful partnerships formed with Scania and MercedesBenz, now, together with Hino Motors, the Japanese manufacturer of commercial vehicles and diesel engines belonging to the Toyota Group, MASA have signed a partnership for the development of a new model of urban bus focused on the needs of African countries.

The goal is to expand the presence of both companies in the region with more robust and efficient products, affordable purchase costs and a wide network of technical assistance and after-sales service.

“The partnership unites the competitive differentials of both brands,” Gabardo states. “The flexibility, market knowledge and production capacity of MASA, with the chassis technology and broad network of 65 Hino dealers present in the continent.”

The end result, the impressive Hino 500, is modern and robust with low maintenance costs and a high level of reliability and quality that MASA 12 | Africa Outlook issue 91

ensures for its customers.

This level of quality would not be possible without Marcopolo S.A.’s supply chain partners, and of course, its hard-working employees.

“It is important to be able to differentiate yourself from the competition and being aligned with your good suppliers is always a step ahead,” Gabardo elaborates.

“Strengthening relationships with suppliers also means getting to know each one’s processes and way of working better. With an open and

frank dialogue with our partners, we can better organise our production and sales chain, and consequently a positive impact on costs and customer service.

“On top of this, our team is made of people committed to doing their best. We value and respect each one of our employees, and we enhance their skills and knowledge through constant training. MASA also encourages its people to pursue better results every day and achieve company goals.”

MANUFACTURING

A HISTORY OF SERVICE Founded on August 6th, 1949, Marcopolo S.A. was born in Caxias do Sul, Brazil, with the name Nicola & Cia. Ltda. The company opened its doors with eight partners and 15 employees and was one of the first Brazilian companies to manufacture bus bodies in the industry.

Marcopolo S.A. is a reference to the development of solutions for public transport on five continents; a pan-continental link, just as the historic figure was a mercantile link between Europe and Asia in the late 1200s. The brand was consolidated by the tradition of quality and innovation of its products, designed to meet the needs of customers and the demands of the markets where it operates.

THE YEARS AHEAD For the rest of 2021, MASA is looking forward to a market upturn. The company has high hopes that an accelerated vaccine rollout will consequently lead to improved tourism and greater bus use and sales across South Africa. In line with this optimism, MASA is aiming to broaden

its export base and exploring new possibilities in the market.

“We will also be looking at new sources of revenue and diversification, focusing on the sales of parts and components and the services provided to our customers, such as refurbishment of units and accident repairs. We are also open to discuss new partnerships and business possibilities to collaborate and develop mutually beneficial relationships in the market.”

MARCOPOLO S.A. Tel: +27 11 4180800 info@marcopolo.co.za www.marcopolo.co.za

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MARCOPOLO S.A. 2 Barlow Road Industrial west, Germiston P.O. Box 1157, Germiston 1400 South Africa Tel: +27 11 4180800 info@marcopolo.co.za www.marcopolo.co.za

PRODUCED BY AFRICA OUTLOOK MAGAZINE