By Raphael Ndakala Atanda
Cummins C&G, which specialises in the sales, service and support of Cummins engines and power equipment across East Africa, has officially opened its state-of-the-art workshop in Kenya. Launched on Monday by Erick Sangoro, the Managing Director of Cummins C&G, Vijay Gidoomal, the Chief Executive Officer of Car & General (Kenya) and Ignacio Gonzalez, the Executive Director of Cummins Powergen Markets EMEIA; Europe, Middle East, India and Africa, the engine rebuild centre is located along Lusaka Road in Nairobi.
Speaking at the launch Gidoomal said, “In the region, the Cummins’ brand is strengthened by Cummins technical expertise and C&G’s local market knowledge and network. This has enabled us keep our mantra of making customers smile in every street, every town.”
The workshop features a dynamometer test, a generator performance test that involves a genset being connected to a dyno load bank that simulates real working conditions and measures how the generator performs under different loads including output power, voltage and frequency stability, fuel consumption and efficiency, cooling system performance, exhaust emissions.
On his part, Sangoro said, “Dyno testing verifies the rated capacity, ensures genset reliability and safety, validates designs and repairs and detects issues like over-heating, unstable voltage, poor fuel efficiency and mechanical faults early. This ensures compliance with standards, builds customer confidence and reduces risk of field failure by catching defects before deployment.”
Apart from general generator repairs, engine rebuilds will also be undertaken here. This is the restoration of a worn-out or damaged generator engine to a close to new condition. Rebuilt engines run reliably and efficiently.
The centre will also be used as a technical training facility for customers.
At the same time, Gonzalez noted, “We are happy about the relationship between C&G and Cummins Inc that goes beyond transactions and focuses on collaboration. This has enabled us ensure that our customers remain happy.”
Car & General was appointed the Cummins distributor in 2006. In 2017, the Cummins C&G 50:50 joint venture was formed with Cummins Inc. In 2023, C&G re-acquired the 50 per cent stake from Cummins Inc, making it a wholly-owned subsidiary once again.
Car & General is a diversified distributor of motorcycles, three wheelers, tractors, forklifts, generators, earthmovers among other equipment in East Africa.
It represents Cummins in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia and Seychelles.
Jerameel Kevins Owuor Odhiambo 
Mt Kenya Times