BLG opens East London container depot

On a rapid expansion path, Port Elizabeth-based BLG Logistics has just opened a full-scale commercial container depot in East London. “In essence,” said GM Michael Fry, “this was an old depot that needed full refurbishment after years and years of operation. But, when it was decided to close it down, BLG had decided to open up a container facility in East London, and creating it on that existing site made sound business sense.” Queried on what future Fry envisaged for East London, he told FTW that, although it was a small operational area, he saw it as an area of future growth. “Especially with the core established round the Daimler Benz plant, it is an area of development in the SA car industry. And, although that has taken a bit of a knock for the moment, establishing there in the bad times means that we can be fully ready for when things turn.” However, it’s an area that Fry sees as needing a fair amount of marketing. “Although there’s a developed industrial base there,” he told FTW, “I wonder if they know just what a depot such as BLG’s can offer. “We’ve given it a full facelift and paint job, completely marked off the whole warehouse, and are busy revamping the security fencing. Clients and prospective clients can look forward to a very goodlooking operation.” And the offering is the complete range of services expected of a fully-fledged, commercial container depot, Fry added, including empty container handling and storage (including repairs and washing); handling both cleared and uncleared full containers, and both general and bonded warehouse storage; a dedicated area for customs examination; container pack and unpack; and a full container customisation division specialising in conversion of used containers into offices, spaza shops, workshops and the like. “It is also both road and rail served,” he said, “with a rail siding facility accommodating seven rail wagons at a time.” The depot also has a full fleet of container handling equipment, including a brand-new, 45-tonne Hyster reach-stacker, and a year-old Hyster empty container handler capable of seven-high stacking. “Our staffing includes all the previous permanent staff members, so we have continuity as far as expertise is concerned,” said Fry.