The weakened Rand continues to place pressure on local companies importing products and components. This means that remanufacturing of components to OEM standards rather than purchasing new engine components is a solid option as it affords less downtime, quicker turnaround times and less capital outlay.

“There is a misconception that diesel engine component repair or remanufacture can only be done properly in Europe or America. However, Metric Automotive Engineering has proven otherwise with a solid record in southern Africa spanning 40 years. Our facilities and competencies are comparable to anywhere else in the world. In addition, it is far more cost effective to carry out such repairs or remanufacture locally due to the weak exchange rate,” says Andrew Yorke, director at Metric Automotive Engineering.

Not only is Metric Automotive Engineering able to refurbish large diesel engine components and offer services such as cylinder head remanufacture, cylinder block line boring, milling, honing and boring, camshaft grinding, crankshaft grinding, engine assembly and dynamometer testing, the company is also able to salvage major components that would otherwise be rendered unserviceable.

Metric Automotive Engineering realises that using the right technology, such as the newly commissioned Rottler F109 extra heavy duty multi-purpose CNC machining centre and Berco RTM 575 crankshaft grinding machine, will give the company the necessary capacity to remanufacture components. Significantly, the CNC machining centre is the only one of its kind in Africa.

Yorke points out that the case for remanufacturing engine components in South Africa is strengthened by the fact that many replacement parts are no longer available ex-stock in the country. This means that they would need to be shipped into South Africa and in instances where they are needed urgently air freight charges would add extra costs to the overall component price.

Another benefit Metric Automotive Engineering offers customers is the diagnosis and fault analysis service provided by its sister company Reef Fuel Injection Services. The ability of Reef Fuel Injection Services to remanufacture the latest generation fuel systems means that companies save substantial amounts on components that would otherwise be considered as waste.

“With the capabilities provided by Metric Automotive Engineering and Reef Fuel Injection Services, the local industry has access to an OEM standard component remanufacture service that can cover both engine and fuel system components. This affords them a faster turnaround time, which will naturally have a positive impact on their business operations, with the added assurance that component specifications and tolerances are strictly adhered to,” Yorke concludes.