Celtic consolidates facilities to offer one-stop shop

Having converted its newly acquired premises in Lusaka into a onestop shop, Celtic Freight is set for business growth. According to owner and managing director Adrian Friend, the decision to have two premises in Zambia was revised and everything was brought under one roof. “There is more control and security having only one depot while it also ensures a more efficient service. “We started building about a year ago and still have at least another six months to go before we have finished, but this is going to be worthwhile as it will really make us more effective and competitive.” Moving more than 4 000 tons of cargo every month into Zambia, there are very few services that Celtic Freight doesn’t offer or places in the country it doesn’t serve. “We do a little bit of everything,” says Friend. “We have always been known for being able to do the bits and pieces. Now more than ever is the time to be innovative. At this depot, for instance, we offer containers as storage space to companies or individuals – they can either come and pack their own container or we do it for them.” With a weighbridge on site, cranes and specialised equipment, as well as large warehouses, the company is geared to service any industry. “We do a lot of container work and now own just over 200 containers. It is much cheaper to use one of our containers than one belonging to a shipping line – so once the cargo arrives in Durban, we repack it into our containers before it is transported to Zambia.” According to Yogesh Kuntawala, who heads up the Zambia operations, it is important that everyone in the company spends some time in Zambia. “They must see the routes, experience the border and be able to understand what happens at this depot. That way all our staff know the ins and outs of the business.”