Interactive events, conferences, workshops, networking opportunities and a vast array of blue chip exhibitors are expected to turn this year’s two-day TruckX extravaganza – to be held at Kyalami on July 11 and 12 – into an event to remember for members of Southern Africa’s commercial vehicle and fleet markets
Now in its fifth year, TruckX – Southern Africa’s all-encompassing, premier, interactive event for the commercial transport industry – has shifted up a gear. With a new headline sponsor, new industry partnerships and new events in parallel, the event is poised to break the record attendance figure it set last year.
“In line with our vision of creating an industry event that gives visitors an interactive, hands-on, practical experience, a full-blown exhibition and outside events were added to TruckX in 2017,” explains John Thomson, the exhibition organiser.
“To accommodate the expanded format, TruckX moved from the Sandton Convention Centre to the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit, attracting its highest number of visitors ever – over 2 100 people.”
Thomson expects to increase attendance at this year’s show by 50%, since support from the industry for the enlarged expo and conference has been extremely encouraging – as borne out by some of last year’s attendees.
“There is a crying need for a conference and exhibition of this calibre,” says Japie Burger, Transport Manager at ZZ2, a farming conglomerate that operates a fleet of 104 trucks.
Norman Pillay, managing director of Jesslyn Carriers, agrees: “Last year’s expo showcased how technology in the transport industry is changing rapidly and evolving with the times. TruckX provides an excellent opportunity to get updates of events and to stay ahead of industry developments,” he says.
Global energy group Shell has taken headline sponsorship for this year’s event. Commenting on this exciting news, Bongani Motloung, Sales Manager of Shell Fleet Solutions South Africa, says: “We believe that TruckX and FleetX are invaluable industry events. Shell South Africa is proud and delighted to have been afforded the opportunity to be one of the headline sponsors for 2018.”
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles also makes its début at this year’s FleetX, the co-located event dedicated to the light commercial vehicle and fleet segments of the industry. The world’s eighth largest auto maker will be supplying the express courier vehicles used for the highly popular “Speed in a Suit” competition.
The event pits courier industry leaders against one of Fiat Chrysler’s top drivers to see who is fastest around Kyalami’s dynamic handling track, using the least amount of fuel.
“The Speed in a Suit competition at TruckX/FleetX provides us with the perfect opportunity for members of the South African Express Parcel Association to experience first-hand just how flexible our products are,” says Robin van Rensburg, CEO, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles South Africa.
“Our wide range of Fiat Professional vehicles offers solutions for any size or type of business. We are able to meet even the most diverse mobility and transport needs. We are proud to be a partner at this important industry event.”
The popular and well-supported conferences – which retain the expanded, two-day format introduced last year – have been designed to highlight practical solutions to everyday challenges and problems associated with running large commercial or passenger fleets as well as offering insights to technological trends within the vehicle and telematics industries.
Speakers at the TruckX conference, which takes place on the opening day, Wednesday, July 11, include:
- Eugene Herbert, CEO of MasterDrive, who will address issues regarding truck safety and driver training;
- Gavin Young, CEO of Bridgestone South Africa, who will offer insights into how transport operators can obtain maximum mileage from commercial vehicle tyres;
- Craig Parker, Mobility Manager at Frost & Sullivan, who will discuss connectivity trends in the commercial vehicle space;
- Juan Marais, Group Head, Sales and Marketing, Cartrack South Africa; and
- Bongani Motloung, Sales Manager of Shell Fleet Solutions South Africa, who promises to offer plenty of fuel for thought for commercial vehicle owners.
Day Two, Thursday, July 12, will see the conference spotlight shift to the light commercial and passenger car sector. The speaker line-up includes:
- Arnold du Plessis, CEO of the BB Group, who will discuss the future of vehicle dealerships in an increasingly digital age;
- Collins Khumalo, CEO of the Automobile Association, who will deliver a presentation on the importance of vehicle safety and the meaning of NCAP’s Safer Choice Africa award;
- Paul Jackson, Operations Manager of Absa Vehicle Management Solutions on the SAVRALA Board, who will discuss latest trends in vehicle ownership; and
- Robin van Rensburg, CEO of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles South Africa, who will present an assessment of the challenges facing South Africa’s fleet industry.
Established in 2014, the annual TruckX expo has seen a significant increase in popularity due to its relevance in the marketplace. The objective of TruckX is to host an informative and effective event for the trucking sector, and to showcase latest products available in the commercial vehicle and fleet markets.
Participants and representatives include a variety of service providers, among them tanker and trailer manufacturers; tyre suppliers; parts distributors; telematics, insurance and finance providers; fuel and lubricant companies; refrigerated transport specialists; driver training and road safety advisers; environmental agencies and fleet service experts.
Among the exhibitors are Global Track; JMC; Haweka SA; Babcock/DAF; Cancom SA; Bridgestone SA; Digisky Tracking; Goodyear; Datadot; Lift & Shift Equipment; Isringhausen SA; AutoX; Continental SA; RAF and ENX Corporate.
On each morning at TruckX, Supply Chain Today magazine, alongside the Federation of Eastern and Southern African Road Transport Associations (FESARTA) and CVLC, will run a number of jam-packed and informative workshops under the title Making Inter-State Transport Work in Africa.
The agenda includes topics such as The Impact of the Revised RSA Customs Act; Cost Implications of Border Inefficiencies in the SADC region, as well as Carnet and Cargo Tracking Systems. A significant number of delegates from a wide range of African countries – backed by a cross section of speakers representative of the continent – are expected to attend.
“TruckX is the only industry event that offers live demonstrations – a place for visitors to experience and interact with trucks,” says Thomson. “It is a much-needed home for trucking industry suppliers – and one which is supported by the trucking industry and broader commercial vehicle transport industry.”
TRUCKX AND FLEETX CONFERENCE AGENDAS
DAY ONE, WEDNESDAY, JULY 11
TRUCKX
From 08.00 Registration
09.30-09.35 OPENING NOTES
Ferdi de Vos, Master of Ceremonies
09.35-09.40 WELCOMING ADDRESS
Wynter Murdoch, Future Group
09.40-10.10 TRUCK SAFETY AND DRIVER TRAINING
Eugene Herbert, CEO, MasterDrive
10.10-10.40 GETTING THE MOST FROM COMMERCIAL VEHICLE TYRES
Gavin Young, CEO, Bridgestone SA
10.40-11.10 FUEL FOR THOUGHT
Bongani Motloung, Sales Manager, Shell Fleet Solutions
11.10-11.40 COMFORT BREAK
11.40-11.45 RESUMPTION NOTES
Ferdi de Vos
11.45-12.25 CONNECTIVITY IN THE COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SPACE
Craig Parker, Mobility Manager, Frost & Sullivan
12.25-12.55 USING TELEMATICS TO EFFICIENTLY MANAGE TRANSPORT OPERATIONS
Juan Marais, Group Head, Sales and Marketing, Cartrack
12.55-13.00 CLOSING NOTES
Ferdi de Vos, Master of Ceremonies
DAY TWO, THURSDAY, JULY 12 FLEETX:
From 08.00 Registration
09.30-09.35 OPENING NOTES
Ferdi de Vos, Master of Ceremonies
- WELCOMING ADDRESS
Wynter Murdoch, Future Group
09.40-10.10 THE FUTURE OF VEHICLE DEALERSHIPS
Arnold du Plessis, CEO, BB Group
10.10-10.40 VEHICLE SAFETY: NCAP LAUNCHES
‘SAFER CHOICE AFRICA’ AWARD
Collins Khumalo, CEO of the Automobil Association
10.40-11.10 FLEET SOLUTIONS
Bongani Motloung, Sales Manager, Shell Fleet Solutions
11.10-11.40 COMFORT BREAK
11.40-11.45 RESUMPTION NOTES
Ferdi de Vos, Master of Ceremonies
11.45- 12.25 LEASING AND RENTAL VERSUS VEHICLE OWNERSHIP: TRENDS IN THE PASSENGER CAR AND LIGHT COMMERCIAL MARKETS
Paul Jackson, Operations Manager of Absa Vehicle Management Solutions
12.25-12.55 CHALLENGES FACING SOUTH AFRICA’S FLEET INDUSTRY
Robin van Rensburg, CEO, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
12.55-13.00 CLOSING NOTES
Ferdi de Vos, Master of Ceremonies
