CHC invests heavily in new systems

Having taken the bull by the horns and entered the container industry, newly licensed CHC Container Depots is now investing heavily in infrastructure, security and IT systems. According to CHC Resources CEO Reshaan Laljith, this is imperative to ensure a top-notch service at all levels. With warehouses being renovated in Durban, the company also moved premises in Johannesburg to a facility in Pomona in order to accommodate the new container business. Laljith says no expense is being spared in the upgrading of facilities and the implementation of a new IT system. Security is also being addressed as it is no longer business as usual. “We identified a gap in the market and took the decision to enter the container industry as we believe that we can do it differently. We want to put class back into container handling.” Having invested in the development of a personalised IT system that is in the process of being implemented, CHC Container Depot will now have a system in place unlike any other, says Laljith. “Our service depends on our systems and that is why we took the time to develop an integrated system that addresses the specific needs of the container industry,” he said. “We mapped out the entire system to address the needs of not just ourselves but also our customers, who were involved in its development.” Through the new IT system, communication with customers will be taken to another level, says Laljith. “The entire process is of such a nature that we can keep in touch with our customers at all times. Our customers will also have access to information about their shipments via our website rather than having to communicate via telephone. We have also developed a key facility wherein customers will be notified about their deliveries via email if they have not yet collected their cargo.” He says the system now also ensures an electronic file for each shipment along with the old manual files. “And it is all backed up and integrated to ensure a faster and more efficient service.” The company has also focused strongly on security, installing state of the art electronic gear to monitor warehouse activities and allow access to the premises. “Security is extremely important. Some may believe that the pilfering of containers is part of the business, but it is definitely not part of our business and we are implementing various systems to ensure we have outstanding security.” According to Laljith, a strategic decision was also taken to not base its headquarters at City Deep in Johannesburg, but rather in Kempton Park. “Security is one of the reasons why we decided on this, the other being that we wanted to be closer to our customers.” With premises in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, CHC specialises in handling groupage cargoes.