Business to Zambia keeps growing

Until Zambia increases its manufacturing output, consolidators will remain the necessary service to equip the country’s mining sector. “There are Zambian businesses that always have to replenish their stock, which keeps the consolidation industry moving. They have so many expatriates coming to the country and they all have their shipping needs – personal effects,” said Kym Robson, managing member of Zamlinx, whose principal customers in Zambia are the mines. We have been doing Zambia for 21 years. Zamlinx is pretty new – two years old – but our staff has remained together for 21 years. We know the route and the Zambian economy. There is not a lot of manufacturing in Zambia. They are starting to manufacture a little, so we are starting to send up inputs, but mostly we are sending up finished products from here,” said Robson. Zamlinx sends more than one tri-axle truck loaded with consolidated consignments northward from Johannesburg daily. “It’s just about everything you can think of – stationery, confectionery, food products, agricultural equipment, motors, hardware,” said Robson. Smooth dealings with Zambian customs depend on clients fulfilling their obligations. “Customs is not really a problem now. There is a client problem when duties are not paid on time. It just takes one item not paid and the whole consignment is held up,” she said. A veteran of Zambian groupage transport, she weighs the benefits versus the challenges faced on the route. “Consolidation is probably the most challenging form of road transport you can get. One truck can have 15 different clients, destinations and agents. It is more lucrative than full loads but a lot of people think the benefits aren’t worth the hassles,” said Robson, who notes that she is not one of the doubters.