An audience with Zuma for logistics newcomer

The BBBEE-rated ICM Group is pushing ahead to become a globally recognised brand, with the country’s president sitting up and taking notice of this growing new generation logistics company. 2010 kicked off extremely well for the Bedfordview-based company, which has been operating for just over a year, with a request for a meeting from President Jacob Zuma. “It was probably one of the most significant moments in my business life to date,” says CEO Kiall Marsh, who along with Kriba Naiken met Zuma at his homestead in Nkandla in the first week of January. “He was very interested in who we are and what we have been doing in the past year.” Marsh said they took Zuma through their business backgrounds, their decision to start their own business as well as the progress made in their first 12 months of operation and the global market impact. He said the 45-minute private audience with the president boded well for ICM Group, which is planning to go full tilt in 2010, signing new contracts and expanding. The company has grown significantly in its first year, having already opened offices in Shanghai, China, and in the Indian capital of Mumbai. Two more offices are being opened in Sao Paulo in Brazil and Houston in the US. The competition is starting to take notice, says Marsh. “We have brought on board several key players to boost the company and to ensure we are ready for the next step.”