Cummins South Africa — a company specializing in power technology, including the design, manufacturing, marketing, and servicing of diesel and natural gas engines — plans to rebuild 120 engines by the end of 2025 at its restoration unit in Midrand. Part of the production is destined for the Mozambican market, in addition to South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and Zambia, according to news portal Engineering News on Thursday, July 31.
According to the site, the company’s Master Rebuilt Centre (MRC) has the capacity to restore 14 high-horsepower engines per month, bringing them back to original factory condition with full warranty. The facility is part of Cummins’ global engine reconditioning network.
According to plant manager Aubrey Rambau, “Each engine can have up to four life cycles if rebuilt according to international standards. The engines undergo full-load dynamometer testing, simulating real-world operating conditions, before being delivered to sectors such as mining, transport, construction, power generation, agriculture, defense, and marine industries.”
The Midrand center works with models such as QST30, K15000, K18000, K2000 E, QSK38, QSK45, QSK50, QSK60, and QSK78, most of which are rebuilt to “zero-hour” condition — a complete overhaul that resets the engine’s operational time. There are also rebuilds for specific failures and conversions for technical adaptations, the manager explained.
The process begins with engine disassembly, component sorting and cleaning, electronic inspection of reusable parts, and replacement of any components that fail to meet brand specifications. Reassembly is carried out by certified technicians and includes 150 quality control checkpoints, followed by final performance tests before shipment. Cummins also offers a “swing engine” replacement program, allowing for immediate engine swap while the original is being reconditioned — a crucial option for operations that require continuous uptime, such as mining.
The company highlights that the MRC has a wastewater treatment system, allowing it to reuse 80% of the water used in industrial processes. As part of its global strategy “Destination Zero”, Cummins aims to achieve net-zero emissions in its operations and reach 90% material circularity in its new products. The Midrand facility recently installed 2,000 solar panels, generating between 800 and 900 kilovolt-amperes (kVA), ensuring the facility’s energy supply. By the end of 2025, the plant is also expected to implement a 1,500 kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery storage system.
Source: Diário Económico
