Following an announcement of a change in strategic direction back in July, Berco has announced the launch of ‘Berco Aftermarket S.r.l.’, a new company exclusively dedicated to serving the Aftermarket worldwide.

The new company, which will service all countries apart from the North American region, which will be covered by Berco of America, is 100%-owned by Berco S.p.A.

As a spin-off of the existing business, Berco Aftermarket S.r.l. will focus on providing replacement parts services, in order to take customer satisfaction to the next level, it says.

“We are in the midst of exciting times at Berco, and our new Aftermarket company is a prime milestone of our future path,” Piero Bruno, CEO of Berco S.p.A, says. “Our famous Original Equipment hallmarks of high quality and performance in the field are about to be transferred to the replacement parts industry. This, in turn, will be beneficial to our whole worldwide dealer network.”

The creation of this new organisation is a prudent step forward for the Berco Group, owned by thyssenkrupp, and will strengthen the Aftermarket activities to contribute to the group’s development strategy.

Its success will be based on increased flexibility in production and product life-cycle management, which will ultimately strengthen Berco in being a proactive player in the replacement parts sector, it said.

“By extending our already leading support for our Aftermarket customers, we will also increase customer satisfaction and, as a consequence, sales growth within the group,” Bruno added.

The new company will place an even greater emphasis on product availability, with customer service situated at the very centre of its supply chain concept, and the goal of reaching top service levels.

The new concept will increase efficiency in the replacement business and put an even stronger emphasis on collaboration with the company’s dealer network in real time. This will be achieved thanks to a dedicated Aftermarket team.

At the same time, Berco Aftermarket S.r.l. plans a significant extension of its current product portfolio – far beyond the existing Service Line – to include additional undercarriage-related components.

The company’s high-quality product range for the mining industry – the Platinum Line – will equally continue to grow to supply customers in this traditionally strong Berco segment, it said.

To further facilitate accessibility and the serving of customer requests, the new company will run its own warehouse at Interporto in Bologna. There, Berco Aftermarket will be partnering with Gruber Logistics, a transport company with expertise in moving heavy loads and special cargo worldwide. The warehouse will provide 700 Stock Keeping Units, with a minimum stock level of more than 6,000 t across 12,000 sq.m.

Diego Buffoni, Managing Director of Berco Aftermarket S.r.l., said: “By providing an extensive product portfolio and a world-class service to our customers, Berco Aftermarket S.r.l has the goal of becoming the market’s leading company when it comes to replacement parts. As a result, we expect a 50% growth within the next few years thanks to our unique dealer network.”

The new organisation is located close to Copparo, where Berco S.p.A. was founded and currently holds its main factory. While the Copparo facility will continue to be the main source of the company’s renowned Original Equipment production and R&D facilities, Bologna provides Berco Aftermarket S.r.l. with the perfect location to thrive in the replacement parts business, the company said.

The new Aftermarket-dedicated warehouse in Bologna will serve as a buffer between the world’s largest undercarriage plant (Copparo) and the company’s dealers, which require flexibility and short lead-times when purchasing from Berco’s product range.

“This will ensure that purchase deliveries to our customers’ premises will be sped up significantly – which is crucial for the Aftermarket demands as well as for the recently launched E-commerce business,” the company said.

Berco Aftermarket S.r.l. will begin operations in October, in line with the beginning of its parent company’s new financial year.