Barloworld integrates new acquisitions

SA-BASED integrated logistics major Barloworld Logistics is currently in the process of integrating its three recent acquisitions in the Middle East and Asia – Flynt International (Hong Kong), Swift Group (Dubai) and Sea-Air Transport (Germany). These strategic acquisitions have allowed the company to enhance its ability to provide multimodal supply chain solutions to customers in Africa, Europe and the Middle East, says CEO for Middle East and Asia, Warren Erfmann. Swift brings sea cargo into Dubai from South East Asia, managing its movement to European and other markets via air. The company also has branches and freight transport networks in nine African countries. The second acquisition, Swift’s major business partner in Europe, Düsseldorf-based Sea-Air Transport (SAT), manages the transport of cargo coming via Swift from Dubai onto various European markets by road. “The latest acquisition, Flynt International, sees the incorporation of one of the top privately-held freight forwarders in Hong Kong,” says Erfmann. “Integrating three companies which follow their own regional strategy so that they operate through one vision is a challenge in any scenario, however it is made significantly easier by the propensity for change and the desire to become a global player which each company displays. Dealing with language and cultural differences requires careful attention so as to avoid things being ‘lost in translation’ and of course time has to be taken getting to know the lie of the land and various countries’ statutory requirements,” said Erfmann. Management teams at each of the three companies are working with Erfmann to complete the integration process within the next 18 to 24 months. “The three new companies will be fully integrated into the Barloworld family by the end of this period and Barloworld Logistics will be in a position to offer global logistics solutions from a single platform,” said Erfmann.