Fleet downtime is expensive. So we visited Renew-It Truck Centre in Witfontein, Kempton Park for a behind-the-scenes walk-through with Operations Director, Wayne Willers, to see how their new heavy commercial vehicle facility turns damaged trucks back into earning assets.
“Our job is simple,” says Willers as we step onto the workshop floor. “Return assets to service—safely and fast—without budget surprises. That’s the business value every fleet manager expects.”
Why the site matters to Joburg fleets
A few minutes off the R21 corridor between OR Tambo and Pretoria, the location is built for logistics: easy drop-offs, straightforward collections, and fewer dead kilometres.
“Location removes friction,” Willers notes. “Fleets don’t want a repair that adds transport headaches. Here, you get in, get assessed, and get moving.” Address and contact details are on the company site for routing and scheduling.
First stop: estimating without the guesswork
Inside reception, Willers points to the estimating bay. “Hidden damage—gearboxes, electronics, structural components—creates the ‘surprise’ costs everyone hates. We strip and assess properly before finalising the quote. That transparency saves time on re-authorisations and keeps budgets accurate.”
For fleets needing speed on the front end, Renew-It offers drive-in or mobile quoting with insurer-ready estimates and 24-hour quote turnaround—useful for planning loads and driver rosters.
The 5 000 m², floor: scale, tooling and OEM standards
The workshop spans 5 000 m², laid out for structural repairs, panel work and paint, with heavy-duty lanes designed to move units through fast. The centre operates to OEM-authorised standards and is insurer-aligned for smoother authorisations.
Willers stops at the chassis and alignment area. “We’ve invested in the right kit for repeatable quality:
- JOSAM cab and chassis straightening (Sweden) for structural accuracy.
- Bee Line chassis straightening and wheel alignment equipment — Bee Line is a USA-based manufacturer known for heavy-duty alignment and frame correction systems.
- Four inline AEROCURE spray booths for high-throughput refinishing, consistent curing and cleaner finishes.”
What does that mean for fleets? Straighter frames and correct alignment reduce tyre wear, fuel drag and driver complaints after a repair. The four inline booths keep paint flow moving, shortening cycle times without compromising finish quality.
Parts without the runaround
“Parts delays kill uptime,” Willers says flatly. “We work an expanding supplier network and source proactively to secure the right part quickly—not a substitute that risks rework.”
Keeping claims moving (so trucks do)
Every fleet client is assigned a dedicated claims handler. Behind the scenes, an internal online system updates job status as a truck moves between departments, pushing real-time progress to clients.
“The less you chase, the faster the claim closes,” Willers explains. “Alignment with insurers and brokers is deliberate—clear documentation, correct formats, predictable touchpoints—so cycle times shorten.”
Turnaround you can plan around
For most repairs, turnaround averages 3–15 working days depending on the damage and parts availability. “We triage revenue-critical trucks first,” Willers says. “Fleet managers need predictable schedules and cash-flow planning. We communicate early if anything threatens the timeline.”
Handover with warranties in writing
Before handover, each unit goes through post-repair quality checks. The centre backs its work with 12-month workmanship and 12-month OEM-parts warranties, plus a lifetime paint warranty.
“If it leaves our floor, it must be right,” Willers says. “Warranties should reduce your risk, not add paperwork.”
Why this matters to fleet owners, brokers and insurers
- Predictability: Proper strip-and-assess, insurer-ready quoting and real-time status updates make timelines and budgets reliable.
- Repair quality: OEM-authorised standards plus Beeline and JOSAM deliver trucks that track true, cutting operating costs post-repair.
- Throughput at scale: 4 inline AEROCURE booths and a 5 000 m² layout keep jobs moving and return assets to service faster.
- Credibility: Insurer-aligned processes and formal warranties reduce risk for all parties.
Planning a visit
Renew-It Truck Centre — Witfontein, Kempton Park Phone: 071 642 1180 • Mon–Fri 07:00–17:00 • renew-ittruckcentre.co.za
