IN an industry where equipment performance and lifespan directly influence plant sustainability and profitability, Atlas Copco’s Power Technique business area continues to raise the bar in aftermarket service and customer support excellence.
Roelf van Niekerk, Power Technique sales engineer, has been an integral part of the Power Technique team since July 2013. With over 30 years of sales experience and five years as an instrumentation sales engineer, Van Niekerk brings a rare combination of deep technical insight, sales acumen and people skills which has been instrumental in driving continued success.
“Customer satisfaction is always a top priority and one of my core objectives,” says Van Niekerk. “Our role goes beyond selling equipment – it’s about helping customers get the most out of their machines and building lasting partnerships. We stay true to our organisational vision of First in Mind-First in Choice, translating it into real-world value for our customers and stakeholders.”
Integral to good customer service is the Power Technique service team’s strong commitment to delivering after-market support excellence. “This is one of the most powerful differentiators that positions us as an industry leader,” says Van Niekerk. “Supplying our high-performance equipment – mobile compressors, generators, light towers and pumps – is only the beginning of our long-distance journey with our valued customers. We also provide technical expertise, proactive service and long-term care to maximise their uptime and productivity.
This comprehensive support strategy reflects our narrative of trust, reliability and partnership. Being there for our customers before, during and long after the sale, is embedded in our vision. We drive sustainable, profitable growth by providing exceptional support from day one and across the entire lifecycle of the equipment.”
Van Niekerk explains a service engineer’s success is underpinned by the ability to play a hybrid role that includes mastering both technical proficiency and customer-facing sales capabilities. “My deep product knowledge and an understanding of the engineering behind the products or services being sold enables me to provide accurate and effective solutions tailored to each customer’s needs.”
Van Niekerk also emphasises the importance of problem-solving skills combined with the ability to diagnose issues to propose effective technical solutions. He adds that continuous learning to stay current with dynamic industry trends, technologies, and product updates is essential for delivering exceptional customer service.
He says the human factor is what ultimately elevates service professionals above the rest. “Paring equipment knowledge with the right skills to connect with customers, understand their challenges and deliver solutions are what make a real difference.” He asserts that effective communication requires not only the ability to clearly convey and simplify simplify complex technical concepts for customers but also the equally important skill of active listening.
