The Emalahleni branch of FUCHS LUBRICANTS SOUTH AFRICA, located in Mpumalanga, offers a specialized pump-on service to major coal-mining clients to ensure uninterrupted operation of essential equipment like draglines and excavators. Branch Manager Stefan Venter explains that they have two FUCHS trucks on standby to supply lubricant to a dragline's 3,000 kg capacity tanks. This closed-loop system prevents contamination issues and enhances efficiency by connecting directly to the equipment through quick couplers, emptying a 1,200 kg bulk bin at a time. This value-added service is tailored for the coal-mining industry in the region.

FUCHS also deploys field service technicians on-site at most of its significant mining clients, responsible for overseeing the lubrication system, conducting tests, identifying faults, and reporting and repairing any issues. Ensuring lubricant availability at all times is crucial, as the productivity of a non-operational dragline significantly impacts operations.

Venter acknowledges that the coal-mining industry has experienced a 10% to 15% decline in recent years due to the general downturn in the global mining industry. Nevertheless, South Africa's continued reliance on fossil fuels for power generation offers opportunities, particularly with the opening of new coal mines, especially those focused on underground mining. However, he notes that overall production in the coal mining industry has decreased compared to previous years.

Aside from the coal mining industry, the Emalahleni branch also supplies FUCHS' well-known automotive lubricants and caters to niche sectors such as smelters, machine tools, chrome mining, and power generation. Their main products for the coal mining industry are specialized high-performance lubricants designed explicitly for large machines like draglines, along with greases for pins, bushes, open gears, bearings, and rope dressings. These products make up 60% to 80% of their overall business, with smaller-volume products like gearbox, hydraulic, and compressor oils completing their product range.

Stefan Venter has been with FUCHS since 1999, starting as a service technician at the legacy company Lubritene and later becoming the Emalahleni branch manager in 2005. Under his leadership, the branch has grown significantly from its humble beginnings in Middelburg to a dedicated site in Emalahleni. In 2020, the branch moved to a prime location in Watermeyer Street in the Klipfontein area, boasting a 650 m2 warehouse and 100 m2 office space. Venter leads a team of 20, including two key account managers and four to eight service technicians.