The most important facet of Mbali’s job? Communication. Whether it’s juggling enquiries, tackling paperwork or working with technical teams, good communication goes a long way!
‘In the fast-paced and highly regulated world of mining, efficiency and accuracy are essential. Miscommunication can slow the team down and impact overall efficiency,’ explains Mbali. ‘By encouraging open communication, prioritising tasks effectively, verifying orders carefully and using shared tools, we streamline the workflow and significantly reduce errors.’
Solid communication skills also allow Mbali to meet the expectations of both customers and the sales team. Understanding how and when to get the right information to the right person is crucial for providing the stellar customer service Liebherr is known for.
‘As a mining sales administrator I may not always be front and centre, but my work is essential to keeping the sales process moving and ensuring customers get the service they expect,’ says Mbali.
A lifelong passion for Liebherr
Liebherr has been part of Mbali’s life since well before she joined the company.
‘When I was growing up, I often passed the Liebherr facility in Springs, Johannesburg, and was captivated by the enormous machines on display. I always hoped for the opportunity to learn more about the business and one day become part of it,’ Mbali recalls.
Mbali’s moment arrived in 2012, when she first joined Liebherr-Africa as a central administrator for the earthmoving product segment at the same Springs facility she used to walk past all those years before. This was where she spent the first four years of her Liebherr career, getting a better understanding of the business, before she joined the mining product segment as a parts buyer in 2016. Mbali held that position until stepping into the role she still holds today: sales administrator.
Mbali’s favourite Liebherr machine, the PR 776 dozer, highlights her history with both the earthmoving and mining product segments at Liebherr-Africa.
‘I first encountered the PR 776 in my early days at Liebherr and was captivated by its distinctive design. It’s impressive to see it remains compatible in the market today, admired for its versatility across both earthmoving and mining,’ enthuses Mbali.
Being part of history
As a sales administrator, Mbali was part of the behind-the-scenes team that supported the delivery of the last R 996 excavator in South Africa for a customer in Northern Cape province in 2023. She was the only Liebherr-Africa administrator supporting the mining product segment at the time and so was responsible for monitoring all internal processes – from manufacturing at Liebherr’s excavator production facility in Colmar, France, through to delivery at the South African port in Durban. All while simultaneously keeping the customer updated on the excavator’s progress and key milestones.
And then she did it all again when the same customer received Northern Cape’s first R 9600 later that same year. Being part of the team that delivered the last R 996 allowed Mbali to identify ways to improve how the R 9600 was handled, given the similarities between the two models. For example, because of the massive size of both of these machines, delivery required a full team of escort vehicles and specialised low-bed transport to ensure they reached their end destination safely and in compliance with local regulations.
‘Both of these deliveries marked major milestones for our region,’ Mbali explains. ‘The R 996 was the last of its kind, and the R 9600 was the first of the new generation, marking the end of one era and the start of another. Getting both machines to the same customer also helped strengthen our relationship and showed that we could handle complex, high-value projects smoothly.’
The view from the inside
After more than 13 years with Liebherr, Mbali’s enthusiasm for the company has not wavered. Her favourite thing? The way Liebherr invests in its people. And she doesn’t just mean the continuous learning opportunities, like when she was given the opportunity to visit Liebherr-Mining Equipment Colmar SAS in France to gain first-hand insight into the assembly of machine and engine components leading up to final dispatch. She also means how Liebherr prioritises employee wellbeing when times are hard.
‘We all came together during the COVID-19 pandemic. Liebherr gave employees a sense of stability during an exceptionally uncertain period by introducing thoughtful financial and job security measures. It all really made a difference,’ Mbali enthuses.
