Lusaka-based Celtic
Freight is using
information technology
to speed up the flow of
information to clients.
“We are introducing new
systems and procedures to
provide a service that is quicker,
slicker and faster,” says managing
director Amish Kuntawala.
He has been upgrading the
systems since returning to Lusaka
after studying business at the
University of Texas.
Now, as managing director
(he succeeded his father Yogesh
earlier this year), Kuntawala is
able to roll out the full vision.
The introduction of the Asycuda
World customs system in Zambia
has provided further impetus
for the introduction of the Celtic
Freight client information system.
“Once it is running smoothly it
will reduce the time taken to clear
cargo through customs,” he says.
Information from Asycuda will
be captured by the Celtic system
and combined with the company’s
track and trace service to generate
live reports of the status of the
cargo.
“Our aim is to make our
feedback to our clients better
and more efficient. Instead of
having to call in and speak to
our helpdesk they will be able to
check the status online,” he says.
The Celtic warehouses in
Gauteng, Durban and Lusaka are
already geared up for the system,
with all cargo being barcoded on
entry.
“We even
barcode our
waybills,” he
adds.
Celtic is
also helping
clients to move
smaller loads
more costeffectively
using
its fleet of 1.5-,
3- and 6-metre
containers. They can be filled
at the client’s premises or
consolidated in one of the Celtic
warehouses.
“Importers don’t have to tie up
capital by filling a 6m container.
They can bring in smaller loads
more often,” he says.
The company also has
500 6m containers
moving between
Durban and
Zambia.
INSERT & CAPTION
We are introducing new
systems and procedures
to provide a service that
is quicker, slicker and
faster.
– Amish Kuntawala
