General Motors South Africa on Monday turned the first soil of the 85 000 square metre plot in the Coega Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) on which a state-of-the-art parts distribution centre will be built.
GMSA said the Pan African Parts Distribution Centre (PAPDC), an investment of R250-million, would replace the existing GMSA Parts and Accessories (P&A) facility in Kempston Road, Port Elizabeth.
The new facility will house all P&A operations under one roof.
According to John Astbury, GMSA after sales vice-president, the current facility supported six brands, 212 models and a current SA car park of 580 000 vehicles.
Astbury said the new hi-tech warehouse aimed to optimise storage and logistical operations and accelerate the distribution of parts and accessories to GMSA's 142 local dealers, Israel and 10 SADC/African countries.
"The new facility will enhance our capabilities and efficiencies and further improve service delivery to our customers ensuring we retain the highest levels of customer satisfaction in the future.
"Ongoing parts support during and beyond a vehicle's production life cycle is always a key customer concern.
"This investment should provide confidence that we take this seriously and that together with our dealer network intend to provide industry leading after sales support for many years to come," said Astbury.
The construction of the facility commences within the next few weeks and should be fully operational by October 2010.
However, the first shipment to dealers is planned for July 2010.
Astbury said about 120 employees will be relocated to and employed at the PAPDC.
Astbury added that the Coega IDZ was an ideal location for the establishment of this world-class PAPDC as it is close to a harbour, would enjoy the CDC's world-class infrastructure, and was in close proximity to GMSA's new vehicle conversion and distribution centre in Aloes where
accessory upfitment was done to the company's vehicles.
"In addition to local suppliers we source our parts and accessories from 25 different countries," said Astbury.
Speaking at the event, the Eastern Cape MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison, Gloria Barry, said the decision by GMSA to invest in the Coega IDZ showed that by working together; both business and government can create the environment for one of the world's leading automotive manufacturers to make a multimillion-rand investment in the future of the country.
The CDC said the progress of the project is a further boost to investment in the Coega IDZ. To date, the Coega IDZ has generated commitments from the private sector in excess of R49-billion and has created nearly 25 000 jobs.
"The decision by GMSA to invest in the Coega IDZ is further proof of the value and competitive advantage the CDC and the IDZ can provide to investors.
"Not only do we offer fantastic infrastructure and close proximity to a world-class port, but we also ensure our investors receive all the support they need, from human capital through to ongoing advice on how best to set up their operations," said the CDC's CEO, Pepi Silinga.
