Agents are key in competitive global markets

Competent agents play a major role for Columbus Stainless when it comes to exports, as care of the product has to be taken at all times. “Successful exporting requires fast lead times from order to delivery, competitive freight rates, regular vessel opportunities, quick transit time, and the ability to deliver to any inland destination,” says shipping manager Bronwen Walter. “Good agents, warehousing and a clearing and forwarding set-up to all of your destination ports are crucial.” Competing in a market that is highly competitive in pricing and lead times, it is extremely important for this African-based exporter to manage its shipping and transport costs and transit times efficiently. “We have agents or group subsidiaries and warehouses all actively involved in the delivery to our final customers, ensuring cargo is cleared and moving cost-effectively in the fastest possible time,” says Walter. “We pack and ship out of Durban and Richards Bay as well as Maputo.” Contingency plans are just as important, she says. “If there is a shortage of 20-foot containers in Johannesburg for example, we can move the cargo loose to Durban where we are able to maintain the same standard of container packing we would have at our own plant in Middelburg. Also by shipping out of Durban, Maputo and Richards Bay, we split the corridors in terms of rail and road ensuring a more effective logistics network with diversified risk.” Having to import raw materials from Chile, Europe, Brazil and New Caledonian, the company is constantly aware of supply chain efficiency, says Walter. “Our main challenge is bringing in the ferro nickel from Noumea in New Caledonia as the shipping opportunities from there to Africa are few and almost always involve transhipment via the Far East which adds to the transit times and the cost.” Reducing the time and cost factor is why the company has embraced the Sars modernisation programme, which they say has had a major impact on business. CAPTION Bronwen Walter .. diversified risk.