The History of Bell Equipment

An OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in 1995 with an annual revenue of five hundred million Rand, Bell Equipment has since grown into a significant operation with annual revenue in excess of R3,5-billion.

This represents a quantum leap forward for a company that started in 1954 as a small engineering and equipment repair service. The business was founded by Mr Irvine Bell in Empangeni, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa and among his early inventions were the unique self-loading sugar cane trailer and the tri-wheeler machine developed for this industry.

Over the years Bell Equipment has developed into a leading global manufacturer and exporter of a wide range of materials handling machines. The company manufactures and markets an impressive range of over 50 models of Articulated Dump Trucks, Wheeled Loaders, Tri-Wheelers, Rigid and Articulated Haulage Tractors, Backhoes, Forklifts, Dozers, Motor Graders, Excavators, Compaction Rollers and a range of customized equipment for the mining, construction, forestry, sugar and related industries.

Bell Equipment produced its first ADT in 1985. This machine, now led by the new D-series launched at the end of 2001, is the company’s flagship and most popular export. In 2002 the B50D, the world’s first 50 tonne, 6×6 ADT designed specifically for mining applications was introduced into the range.

Bell Equipment’s policy in design and manufacture is to look for opportunities to create added value for our customers. Its success in this regard is best illustrated by Bell Equipment’s continued dominance of the South African ADT and front end loader markets.

Nature of business
Bell Equipment manufactures and markets a wide range of earthmoving and materials handling machinery for the mining, construction, forestry, sugar and related industries.

Products
Articulated Dump Trucks, Wheeled Loaders, Tri-Wheelers, Rigid and Articulated Haulage Tractors, Backhoes,Forklifts, Dozers, Motor Graders, Excavators, Compaction Rollers and a range of Customized equipment.

Date established: 1954

Major overseas markets
UK and the rest of Europe, North America and Asia

No. of employees
Over 2 400 worldwide

Head Office & Factory
Physical address: 13 – 19 Carbonode Cell Road, Alton, Richards Bay 3900, South Africa
Postal address: Private Bag X20046, Empangeni 3880, South Africa
Telephone: +27 (0)35 9079111
Fax: Admin: +27 (0)35 7974336