Bullish SDV targets mining and roadworks

JOY ORLEK BUSINESS IS brisk for project specialist SDV Transami where mining and road works are top of its agenda right now. The company’s highly developed network and infrastructure into Africa are significant competitive advantages, in the view of projects manager Caroline Brownson, who is currently co-ordinating several major logistics undertakings in the region. An 18-month project into the copper mines of Zambia has been on the go since last September and is due for completion next March. “SDV Johannesburg is the information hub,” says Brownson, “co-ordinating authorisation of temporary importation, approval from the Zambian Revenue Authority and tracking of all loads, many of which have been outsourced.” The muscle of SDV Zambia has provided benefits, says Brownson, particularly in view of the volumes moving. Also in progress is a roadworks project for Basil Read in Kampala, Uganda. Launched this month (May) and due for completion in February 2007, it’s a door-to-door undertaking and once again the backing of the SDV Kampala office has been a crucial element. The company has already shipped 1 700 cubic metres, with a further 2000 still to be moved. “Project work is generally feast or famine,” says Brownson, “and right now we are getting a lot of work.” An associate company, Antrak Australia, is involved in the co-ordination of several mining projects. Many of these are sourced from South Africa using the resources of the local operation which has also been appointed by Caterpillar Boksburg to co-ordinate the export of its earthmoving equipment to Australia, Tanzania, Ghana, Singapore and Antwerp. Brownson, who has notched up 17 years in the industry, eight in the project cargo sector, is bullish about future growth. “We’re seeing a lot of interest in Angola, Nigeria and Ghana, and with 37 countries in Africa (530 agencies in 85 countries worldwide), SDV is a strong contender for the business.”