BHL set to extend African footprint

Fresh resources, funding and skills are being injected into Ndolabased Buks Haulage Limited (BHL) following the purchase by Cargo Carriers of a 55% share in the company from the founder Buks van Rensburg, who has remained as managing director. “BHL is a preferred transport supplier to a major international mining house operating in Zambia which has huge expansion projects of its own. Working from this base we are now ready to diversify into other sectors,” says technical director Tom Mennie. BHL’s current footprint covers Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Mozambique and Namibia. “We believe that the Namibian corridor will be important to the new mines opening in the western Copperbelt,” he says. The company operates a f leet of 126 vehicles ranging from tippers to front-end loaders from its depots in Ndola and Solwezi. BHL recently expanded its f leet with the purchase of 80 FAW trucks that were imported from the manufacturer in China. “Going directly to source has enabled BHL to reduce its cost structures and gain competitive edge in Zambia’s logistics industry,” Van Rensburg said at the handover of the vehicles. “The trucks are considerably cheaper than equivalent alternatives. We tested the FAW trucks in Zambian conditions and found that they were suited to the African terrain and have far better fuel consumption (about 8%) than their nearest competitors.” The FAW investment increased the total BHL f leet from 75 to 126 trucks while boosting the company’s business by 60%. Cargo Carriers’ investment in the company is facilitating BHL’s rapid expansion while BHL gives Cargo Carriers a broader footprint in sub-Saharan Africa, and the chance to take advantage of the boom in the Zambian mining industry, says Van Rensburg. Future plans are in place to build a warehouse complex on the grounds in Ndola which currently houses the head office and transport operations. Having efficient crosscountry and cross-regional transportation will encourage Zambian businesses to seek new opportunities both inside and outside the country, and will stimulate local business expansion, says Mennie. All the vehicles are under 24-hour surveillance backed up by regular road patrols, mobile workshops, as well as in-house maintenance and repair facilities. INSERT 126 The number of vehicles in the BHL fleet. INSERT & CAPTION Namibian corridor will be important to the new mines opening in the western Copperbelt. – Tom Mennie