Cargo keeps moving despite slowdown

It could take three to four years to
get back to ‘Go’, according to Dave
Johnson, managing director of
Edgin Logistic Solutions.
Which is not to say he is that
pessimistic about the current state of
economic affairs. In fact far from it.
“From our perspective the
outlook is very good,” he says. “We
have managed to streamline our
operations so that even if there was
no improvement in the economy we
would still show some small growth
year on year.
“Considering that there are
already signs of commodities bouncing
back, it’s clear that an upward curve
is beginning.”
However, he adds a word of
caution. “Having said that, we are of
the opinion that it will be at least three
to four years before we are handling
the volumes we did before the
worldwide slowdown in trade.”
From its warehouse in the Cape
Town foreshore, Edgin receives and
packs project cargoes that can involve
either specialised packaging and
crating, or the expert securing of large
items on flatracks.
The company then ensures safe
transportation of the cargo to the port
and on board the vessel.
For imports the reverse applies, as
for example the large consignments
currently being handled for the
Greenpoint Stadium.
Dealing with project cargo is a
fast-growing part of Edgin’s business,
particularly with the addition of Rob
Brown to their staff early this year.
A doyen in the projects industry, he
brought many of his clients dealing
with specialised cargoes with him.
At Edgin some slacking off in the
work-load is expected over the next
18 months, because most of the large
projects are planned two to three years
in advance.
“There are now fewer enquiries,
but workwise not much has changed,”
explains Johnson.
“We face three challenges now and
each of those is ‘to remain positive’.
“It was after all negative
perceptions of the world’s credit
worthiness that created this mess in
the first place.”