Southco reveals its unrivalled ‘Global Full Service Supplier’ proposition to off-highway OEMs

Alex Wakeley, Industry Manager for Transportation at Southco describes the key advantages of global full service supply in the sector: “Today’s tough market conditions have focused the minds of OEMs and end-users to review and re-shape their strategies and operations – particularly in the areas of design, functionality, technology and manufacture.

“There’s a need for greater security, lower cost of ownership, improved driver comfort, ‘green’ technologies, and re-aligning of manufacturing sites to support emerging markets.

“In the absence of a specialist single supply source, OEMs and users have, traditionally, been forced to use a diverse collection of different product suppliers for different components, making it virtually impossible to restructure their operations in line with this new focus effectively, efficiently and economically. With our ‘Global Full Service Supplier’ approach, they can now get the necessary expertise, innovation and support across their entire access hardware platform to enable them to move forward. At Southco, we have a product for everything – from interior latches and fasteners to the cab’s entry door system, and virtually every single access point on the chassis. In addition, we have the global footprint to deliver every facet of a total solution wherever it’s needed throughout the world.”

Interior solutions with a ‘Touch Point’ focus
When developing its access hardware and position control solutions for cab interiors, Southco recognised that - for those spending most of the day in a vehicle - safety, comfort and general well-being are a top priority for any cab design. From precise control of the cab environment, including the angle of the armrest and the position of LCD touch screens, to a range of access hardware options which enables everything to be securely stored yet easily accessible, Southco has given careful attention to detail across a wide range of interior solutions.

With cab ergonomics becoming increasingly important, everything has been engineered with a ‘Touch Point’ focus for driver comfort and convenience. A host of interior application areas that have been given the ‘Southco touch’ include escape hatches, air filters and air conditioning access panels, LCD screen mounts, fuse panels, storage compartments, windows, and seating. The company’s extensive platform of intuitive ‘Touch Point’ products for interior applications include ergonomic latches to secure access panels, doors and storage enclosures, position control devices that consistently hold display screens, armrests and headrests, and electronic access systems that provide convenience and security for storage, access doors and ignition.

Chassis solutions
Southco has developed a comprehensive range of off-highway chassis solutions comprising a portfolio of robust, compact and reliable vibration resistant latches that provide complete protection from unauthorised access. In addition, they last the lifetime of vehicles, help keep them running and lower the overall cost of ownership by reducing the need for expensive maintenance contracts. Chassis application areas include tool storage, safety guards, engine cowling, access panels, engine hoods and cooling systems.

Alex Wakeley takes up the story: “Over the past few years we have created a series of chassis solutions through further developing our existing medium duty vise action compression latches, such as the N4 with a large handle and special cup, and introduced new products for applications requiring even more rugged latches. These include the heavy duty N2 folding handle range of compression latches.”

Entry door systems
Southco is now able to complete the chassis jigsaw with the last piece, the entry door system itself, with a range of push-to-close R4 rotary latches, actuators and cables. With all eyes of the off-highway sector focused on security, Southco has worked closely with OEMs to introduce a comprehensive package of electronic access control systems (EAS) that the market demands. This EAS range has been designed to combine robust rotary latch security and electronic access convenience in a single integrated solution.

The focus is to address the issue of preventing theft – of both vehicles and in-cab equipment - by incorporating sophisticated access systems into the vehicle design, from key code flexibility to electronic access systems, providing a wide range of solutions for differing levels of security which don’t compromise end user convenience and flexibility.

Global full service supplier
Rather than just being a product supplier, Southco is now truly a ‘Global Full Service Supplier’ and can offer a comprehensive service to the industry, unmatched by its competitors. Wakeley: “Our service is supported by a whole product development system which manages products and projects across the worldwide off-highway sector. Whether it’s just a latch, fastener or a custom-designed complete entry door system, we will specify it out, put together the CAD model and prototype and test these with customers. Production will be set up in the most appropriate location to the point of consumption, every process will be validated and a logistics plan will be produced.

”One of the big issues at the moment is cost pressure. Western Europe and America have been badly hit by the downturn and OEMs from the west are going out to places like China, India and Russia to target these high growth markets while also helping to reduce manufacturing costs. At Southco, we recognise that to stay ahead of the game we have to offer that little bit more by ensuring we have full representation right across the world. As a global full service supplier we can now provide global supply and a localised service to OEMs and users wherever they are. This includes the provision of customised solutions, holding product wherever it is needed and the ability to provide full technical support.”

Southco has detailed its global full service solution for the off-highway industry with the launch of a special brochure pack which can be customised to meet individual requirements. A complete pack comprises three leaflets, each demonstrating Southco’s product and service offer for a specific area of application, namely, interior, chassis and exterior. A fourth leaflet gives an overview of the total global full service.