Acquisition strengthens harbour presence

The OneLogix group has got expansion plans. Indeed, CEO Ian Lourens agreed that “being on an acquisition trail” was a fair summary of the company’s philosophy. He even allowed that it was a major part of why OneLogix existed. And the latest acquisition in the stable is a majority stake in the Durban-based handling company Andre Niemand. Lourens said the facilities offered by Andre Niemand were currently outsourced by OneLogix Projex at “significant cost”. He also described it as having strengthened the group’s harbour presence. It does this by adding its long-term lease with State logistics group Transnet to the OneLogix group infrastructure. This lease is for 11 500 sqm of property and warehousing services – including loading facilities and vehicles, onsite overhead gantry cranes and a railway siding, according to Lourens. Added to that attraction is a warehouse in Cape Town. “The existing business will remain,” he said. “And, in addition, we’ll make use of the infrastructure in the yard to support others in the OneLogix group.” There has been a slight change of name from the original title released to FTW, and Lourens told us that Niemand’s would now be rebranded as OneLogix Projex Cargo Solutions – an extension of the current OneLogix Projex. He also happily admitted that he got pleasure out of business acquisitions. None more so than when they found a hidden diamond. “You come across the things that you want,” he said. “But then you may discover other things that you didn’t know even existed – and they turn out to be very useful.” With what Lourens describes as a “bit of serendipity” you can turn this unexpected find into entry to another niche market. Also, there’s one distinct focus in the OneLogix’ acquisition philosophy. “Entrepreneurial spirit” is what Lourens looks for. “We feel quite strongly about this,” he said. “We look for a smaller, entrepreneurial company (where the management expresses this through generating business). “That’s a cornerstone of our acquisition edifice.” With its new addition, there are now 11 logistics and business support companies in the group. Lourens assured FTW that this list would soon be joined by other names, as OneLogix continues to wave its acquisitive wand. INSERT & CAPTION Facilities offered by Andre Niemand are currently outsourced by OneLogix Projex at significant cost. – Ian Lourens