Launch of new Stirling Plastic Mirror Backs

M3000C Class II External Side Mirror - Key advantages of these newly designed plastic backs over the previous metal design include enhanced aesthetics, extended life, shape and colour retention, as well as scratch, impact and corrosion resistance.

Stirling Accessories has extended its range of automotive accessories to include newly designed plastic mirror backs.

The recently launched M3000C Class II external side mirror has been designed and manufactured to allow for mirror glass curvatures ranging from 1400mm to 2000mm. A key factor is the mirror back can be used on mirror arms with diameter from 16mm to 28mm.

“These new backs are designed to accommodate all dimensions required by vehicle manufacturers and are fully compatible with existing mirror arms,” says Keith Russon, CEO, Stirling Accessories. “We anticipate that curvatures of glass will be reduced to an even smaller radius in future, to accommodate a wider field of vision for enhanced safety. Key advantages of these newly designed plastic backs over the previous model design include enhanced aesthetics, extended life, shape and colour retention, as well as impact and corrosion resistance.”

Plastic also has environmental benefits as there is less waste during manufacture. Plastic, which can be recycled, helps in the reduction of scrap metals. Unlike raw metals, plastic materials require no processing and offer faster production and installation times. An added advantage is the use of plastics contributes to keeping prices stable for longer periods.

These new components, which are designed and manufactured by Stirling Accessories in KwaZulu-Natal, encompass locally sourced materials. The company, with a rating as a AAA Level 2 B-BBEE contributor, is committed to supporting the local economy, to provide employment in the area and to maximise the use of local materials.

Quality branding gives users the assurance that all Stirling products meet stringent local and international standards in terms of materials, specifications and quality controls during manufacture.

Stirling Accessories maintains AAA Level 2 B-BBEE rating

Click above to download Stirling Accessories’ AAA Level 2 Empowerdex Certificate.

EMPOWERDEX - B-BBEE AAA Level 2

Durban-based Stirling Accessories, specialists in the manufacture and supply of a wide range of quality automotive components, has maintained its rating as a AAA Level 2 contributor to broad-based black economic empowerment (B-BBEE) according to the DTI’s ‘qualifying small enterprises (QSE) scorecard’.

What this means for Stirling Accessories is that customers can recognise 125% of their spend with the company towards their own preferential procurement spend in their B-BBEE scorecards.

“Stirling Accessories has been formally assessed by a SANAS accredited agency, Empowerdex. This broad-based BEE verification agency bases ratings on the Codes of Good Practice and gazetted Sector Charters,” says Keith Russon, CEO, Stirling Accessories. “This evaluation involves the company’s level of compliance to four of the seven empowerment factors identified by the DTI, which include ownership, management, employment equity, skills development, preferential procurement, enterprise development and corporate social investment.”

“Our B-BBEE strategy has had a powerful impact on the expansion and improvement of business operations and we believe this status augurs well for continued growth of the company.”

The company, which was established in Durban in the late 1940’s, makes a substantial investment in the latest machinery and technology to ensure its entire range of automotive accessories meets stringent quality and safety specifications. All Stirling components that require legal specifications, have been awarded SABS certification.

The full range of replacement parts includes mirrors and mirror arms, lamps and beacons, as well as electrical and general components. Reflectors, chevrons and warning triangles, as well as roofs carriers and fishing rod racks are also available throughout Africa.

Stirling Accessories’ Empowerdex certificate can be downloaded left.

Automotive Component Trends - A shift from Metals to Plastics

This Stirling Accessories M401C mirror has been converted from metal to plastic materials.

Stirling Accessories, which has manufactured automotive components locally for over 60 years, has kept abreast of the global trend to shift from the use of metals to plastic materials in the fabrication of automotive accessories.

“With the improvement in the quality of plastics, the KwaZulu-Natal factory is replacing the use of metals in the manufacture of some automotive components, like rear view mirror components and attachments, as well as lamps and general accessories,” says Keith Russon, CEO, Stirling Accessories. “Unlike raw metals, plastic materials require no processing and offer faster production and installation times. Other important features of plastic materials include enhanced aesthetics, good colour retention and extended service life, as well as scratch, impact and corrosion resistance. Plastic components are easier to keep clean and also retain their original shape. An added advantage is that the use of quality plastics helps to stabilise prices for longer periods of time.”

The company’s extensive range of automotive components, which comply with stringent specifications including SABS, provincial road ordinance and European regulations, includes mirrors and mirror arms, lamps and beacons, as well as electrical and general components. Reflectors, chevrons and warning triangles, as well as roof carriers and fishing rod racks are also available.

Quality certification gives users the assurance that all Stirling products meet stringent standards in terms of materials, specifications and quality controls during manufacture.

The Stirling Accessories manufacturing plant, with the latest in equipment, technology and tooling technicians, has the capacity to design and manufacture automotive components to a customer’s exact specifications. The company’s research and development specialists continually improve efficiencies to keep abreast of world-class standards and trends.

Computerised CNC machines are used for the tooling and design of the company’s new plastic components, and plastic injection moulding machines are used for the actual moulding of parts.

Stirling Accessories offers a custom design and manufacture service, where all components adhere to exact customer specifications and requirements. The design team works closely with customers to make sure that deficiencies are eliminated and that every product is created to the highest quality and safety standards.

The company ensures all tooling required offers increased service life at the plant and also reduces the production costs of every item manufactured.

Stirling Accessories is committed to maintaining the highest standards of quality and safety on the road.

Stirling SABS Compliant Fully Reflective Chevrons

Stirling SABS Compliant Fully Reflective Chevron

The extensive range of automotive components from Stirling Accessories includes fully reflective chevrons that comply with stringent SABS specifications and provincial road ordinance regulations.

“The company - which is committed to the optimum safety of drivers of all types of vehicles in Southern Africa - adheres to optimum quality and safety standards in the design and manufacture of every OEM and replacement component,” says Keith Russon, CEO, Stirling Accessories. “The Stirling Accessories range encompasses high quality rear view mirrors and mirror arms, lamps and beacons, as well as electrical and general components. The company also manufactures reflectors and warning triangles, as well as roof carriers and fishing rod racks.”

“Critical in this portfolio are robust, non-corrosive chevrons which are designed for clear visibility in all conditions. Chevrons from Stirling Accessories are known to have a longer service life than the other brands on the market. The reflective surface on a Stirling Accessories chevron has a sealed coating which prevents chipping or flaking along the edges. This coating also inhibits the red and yellow reflective tape from fading after extensive cleaning. It has been noticed that on other brands, the reflective ink tends to fade dramatically when solvents are used as a cleaning agent, for example in car wash environments.”

“What most users don’t realise about a chevron is that every angle has to be absolutely precise, according to exact specifications. The company takes pride in the fact that every Stirling component that requires legal specifications, complies with local SABS certification and is also E-compliant to meet European standards.”

These chevrons are available in honeycomb, in widths of 200mm and lengths of 1200mm, 1700mm and 1800mm.

Reflective materials used in the manufacturing of a Stirling Accessories chevron are approved by the SABS prior to application and conversion as a chevron board. Upon application, the chevron is sent for another SABS test, which in effect, means that the reflective surface is tested twice before approval.

These chevrons, which are manufactured locally from Chromadek steel, adhere to SABS 1329 specifications. This range is subjected to stringent testing at the SABS Lighting Technologies Laboratory. This analysis involves sample testing of the yellow and red Reflexite sheeting, as well as the white Chromadek backing. Photometric testing of yellow and red reflective sheeting is conducted before and after weathering.

Tests also involve examination of the rigidity of the signs, the co-efficient of retro-reflection before and after weathering and compliance to the luminance factor before and after weathering.

SABS tests also entail inspection of resistance to impact and scratching of the reflective surface and the Chromadek backing.

The Stirling Accessories manufacturing plant, with the latest equipment, technology and tooling technicians, has the capability to design and manufacture chevrons to a customer’s exact specifications.

The company produces chevrons for vehicles that operate in diverse industries, including transport and freight, general services and defence, as well as and commercial vehicles. Stirling Accessories is also the accredited chevron supplier to three major motor assembly plants in South Africa - Volvo, Toyota and Daimler Chrysler.

The company celebrates over 60 years of business this year.

Cyril Pillay Appointed Stirling Factory Manager (Durban)

Cyril Pillay
Stirling Accessories Factory Manager (Durban)

Congratulations to Cyril Pillay who was recently appointed Factory Manager for Stirling Accessories Durban branch.