Big opportunities for outsourcing

19 countries in Sherwood International service offering
KEVIN MAYHEW
MANAGING DIRECTOR of the Kyalami-based company Sherwood International, Jeremy Hayward, says that opportunities in supply chain outsourcing and managed service markets are opening up, with huge opportunities for growth and market penetration into the African continent. Sherwood International’s reach includes 19 countries across Africa, including Angola, Ghana, Mali, Tanzania and Malawi, and opportunities are being investigated in Madagascar and Uganda. Mainly road and sea transport are used and Sherwood International utilises its sister companies to provide cross border services, where infrastructure allows. In terms of the in-country logistics, Sherwood International partners with African companies that already have the expertise to provide the required service levels to clients Sherwood – with the backing of a parent company like SuperGroup - has access to technology and resources, covering the entire end-to-end supply chain, says Hayward. "This, combined with intellectual capital, specific knowledge of the African environment, and expertise in African trading conditions has contributed to Sherwood’s supply chain success in Africa," he said. “Understanding the client’s trading and business environment is essential, especially into Africa, when driving down cost and adding value through our service.” Sherwood International covers the supply chain from source to destination and offers this through flexible business models which include an outsource supply chain agreement and a management charter model. The company is currently active in the mining, brewing and beverage and sugar markets, with a strong commodity-trading division. A global sourcing network supports this service from offices in Mauritius, the United Kingdom and Australia. This infrastructure allows it to source worldwide, Hayward added.