Amid ongoing research and development (R&D) of diesel engines for trucks and other vehicles, and the optimisation of engine emissions, US engine designer, manufacturer and distributor Cummins South Africa was not immune to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Cummins South Africa partners with original-equipment manufacturers as part of its R&D strategies, but did experience a slowdown during the pandemic, the company tells Engineering News.

“At Cummins, we have committed to keeping our staff safe throughout the pandemic while maintaining and keeping the commitments we have made to our customers. It is for that reason that we have leveraged our experience as a global presence to use collaborative tools with suppliers to meet the needs of not only our customers but also our staff,” says Cummins South Africa engine sales manager Wesley Henning.

He notes that Cummins South Africa experienced a dip in demand for overall engine supply in 2020. This dip was common in a number of industries related to engine assembly and development and further affected some tenders, which were put on hold.

“However, we do believe that there is a great need for public transportation across the country and we at Cummins are ready to support our customers, despite the challenges posed by the pandemic.”

As with most companies, the pandemic had an impact on supply chain from different levels in the industry in South Africa. This challenge was mitigated through the relationships that the company has built with suppliers over the years, thus allowing Cummins in South Africa to ensure uptime for customers.

Despite these challenges, Cummins in South Africa has adapted accordingly, which it has also done in regard to environmental developments pertaining to vehicle engines.

“Our diesel engines meet the current emission standards set globally and are constantly being developed to meet future emission standards that have been defined such as the US Environmental Protection Agency 2024 regulations.

“We have buses running with natural gas engines and we are also actively pursuing hydrogen technology and electrification, as we believe that is where the future may be heading and we want to be ready when that happens,” explains Henning.

Cummins is one of the leading brands in the New Power space which comprises of multiple institutes spear-heading global change.

“We currently have engines in South Africa running with a Euro 5 emissions standard. We believe in creating a safe environment for all our communities and this will continue to be a driving force moving forward, especially as there is an ever-increasing focus on reducing emissions globally.

Customers have reported seeing improved fuel economy, providing end- users with a financial saving when using newer technology that meets more stringent emissions requirements,” Henning concludes.