The Gast Group, a designer and manufacturer of compressors and vacuum pumps and a member of IDEX Corporation’s health and sciences division, has strengthened its Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) distribution network with the appointment of South Africa-based General Pneumatics Natal (Pty) as a distributor and authorised service centre.
Established in 1996 and originally specialising in the hose and fittings sector, General Pneumatics – a family-owned and operated business with its headquarters in New Germany, KwaZulu-Natal – successfully expanded into pneumatics in 2004 and soon after opened a second branch in Johannesburg. The company now employs over 40 staff, including seven field sales managers and seven internal sales executives. The company also has an established distributor base throughout the region.
Commenting for General Pneumatics, managing director William Saunders said: “Like Gast Group, we pride ourselves on attention to detail and unparalleled customer service, and we look forward to re-establishing the GAST and JUN-AIR brands in South Africa. We have a great relationship with everyone at Gast Group. Their people understand our business and our model; and are very supportive of our requirements for marketing and support.” He goes onto say that, with UK-based training for their sales teams, General Pneumatics is looking forward to growing the Gast Group product range in South Africa and beyond.
Commenting for Gast Group, sales director Andre Goodson said: “General Pneumatics is a progressive company that is passionate about pneumatics. Its positive approach to sales and marketing is making a significant impact in the region and helping to establish the business in the South African market. With the appointment of General Pneumatics, OEMs and end users of GAST and JUN-AIR equipment in South Africa now also have access to fast and reliable warranty and non-warranty service and maintenance, performed by trained engineers. They will also benefit from access to an increased level of OEM spares in the region and, in some cases, can take advantage of loan equipment while their systems are being serviced or repaired. The appointment also ensures that new and existing products are brought to market much more quickly and that global coverage of GAST and JUN-AIR brands is increased through a network of certified service providers.”
Summarising, Andre Goodson says: “In building relationships and ultimately taking control of where and by whom our air handling equipment is sold, serviced and maintained, we can improve product knowledge and training to better serve our customers.”
