One ‘click’ to next-generation engineering solutions: JTB’s ‘brand’-new product catalogue
JTB Engineering Solutions (JTB) has an exciting five-year strategy to become market leading suppliers of ‘next-generation engineering solutions’, and the first port of call for customers in the industrial, mining, engineering and fabrication sectors both locally and pan-Africa. However, JTB’s competitive edge does not only equate to the ability to offer a wide range of products.
Managing Director Joash David points out that JTB has excellent relationships with premier international suppliers in place, and prides itself on sourcing innovative solutions to suit every customer’s requirement – even for so-called specialist products.
“Our mission is to provide next-generation engineering solutions, as we say in our tagline,” David explains, adding that whatever the customer’s challenge, JTB will find an answer.
A ‘brand’-new product catalogue
JTB’s growing presence and reputation throughout industry is notable from the company’s most recent 2023 product catalogue, featuring many well-known local and international engineering brands and available on this link: https://jtbind.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/JTB-CATALOGUE-FEB-2023-min.pdf
“Our customers are delighted with this well-designed, comprehensive 70-plus page catalogue of the broadest range of engineering tools available. Imported brands make up 70 percent and 30 percent are JTB-branded products,” points out Operations Manager Peter Hughes.
The catalogue is more than just a collection of product images and specifications, however: it reflects a business which is serious about its contribution to the local engineering sector.
Listening to customers and supplying what they need
Reflecting not just on their new product catalogue, but on the way in which JTB strives to supply relevant, required products to its customers, Hughes comments:
“A lot of hard work and strategic planning goes into forecasting future industry trends and demands. It is essential to remain updated regarding the latest that is happening in the market, and also to listen carefully to what our customers want. This allows us to source and to supply innovative technology to improve our customers’ operations, boosting their productivity while containing costs.”
An example of listening to their customers is the inclusion of ISO ER chucks and a wide range of ER collets in their product range. The collets are popular, well-priced and offer a wide range of sizes to meet most customers’ requirements.
In a similar example, a request for hexagon and solid round dies sparked JTB’s realisation that there was a gap in the local market to provide customers with these essential items. Hughes points out that customer requests such as this one are very useful indicators, assisting the company to stock in-demand items which can supply everything a fabrication or engineering workshop requires.
“Another example is our discovery that engineering files were not widely available in South Africa. We responded to this requirement, and now offer customers a full range, including a variety of lengths and shapes of engineering files. Fabricators and small workshops use these in abundance – as do technical training schools and students,” he advises.
JTB-branded ‘own label’ products
JTB have also invested in the creation of their own JTB-branded product range.
“The perception of ‘no-name’ products is that they are cheap and of inferior quality. Conversely, our JTB-branded ‘own label’ tools stand out from the crowd, both from a branding and quality perspective,” David comments.
He points to the success of the JTB-branded brazed tool range, and market response to it, which has been excellent. This range of tools, launched three years ago, has sold in its thousands during that period. David adds that there have also been no comebacks on a single one of these tools.
New grooving tools have been added to this range, which already includes measuring tools, gauges and much more – all of which are featured in the new product catalogue.
“As reflected very powerfully in our latest 2023 catalogue – JTB is focused on providing tools and consumables for a wide range of customer budgets and requirements. Without compromising, we will keep on providing our customers with value, quality and speedy delivery of next-generation engineering solutions,” David concludes.
