Capacity oversupply creates competitive airfreight environment

KEVIN MAYHEW DEVELOPMENTS IN the airfreight consolidation market have made it a very competitive environment with an oversupply of air cargo capacity. It is important in this environment to continue to support carriers that have been there for you in both good and bad times in order to provide good service at competitive rates, says Johannesburg-based MMA Consolidators’ MD, Mike Todd. “The export market is relatively quiet and airline rates have come under pressure, but the weaker rand is creating an upturn in export volumes. It will however be difficult to compensate for the demise of the clothing industry volumes,” he said. In this climate, the company has grown to a staff of 20 in Johannesburg and 12 in Cape Town. “There is a need for an export door-to-door service worldwide and this requires expertise to ensure that the destination import requirements are met to avoid customs delays,” said Todd. “We also offer a strong airfreight import consolidation service to complement our exports, and this is made possible through our worldwide network of agents.” MMA has finalised a restructuring of its company that saw its Johannesburg and Cape Town operations become wholly owned by the hands-on management. It is the only Black Empowered Enterprise in the wholesale market, he concluded.