Co-loading makes logistical sense

Both agree that getting the
logistics right has been the
trickiest, according to Oh Lief ’s
Christine Buchanan and Louiza
Rademan.
One must remember after all
they did not set out to be global
manufacturers of natural skincare
products.
“We are a long-haul destination
and our aim has always been to
have a product that is affordable.
Keeping our logistics costs down
has been a challenge at times,” says
Buchanan, who heads up the retail
and export side of the business.
“We realised very quickly also that
we needed reliable, reputable and
dependable partners. We have put
together very strict guidelines when
choosing distributors and logistics
partners.”
They prefer to use seafreight, not
only because of the cost factor but
also because it is a greener option.
“Getting a smooth supply chain
was not easy. We try to source as
many of our products locally as
possible but at times we do have
to import. In the beginning we
struggled to deliver the volume
demand and it was clear that we
needed to work on our supply
chain and develop that specifically.
Working on the supply chain and
logistics, understanding the processes
involved and making sure we have
the right partners working with us
has made a significant difference,”
explains Buchanan.
Opting for groupage, they have
found another exporter with whom
they work well who fills containers
with them when they are not sending
a full consignment on their own.
“We have put in place very
strong systems that document the
supply chain – traceability systems
so to speak,” says Buchanan. “We
can trace our products right from
the raw ingredient to the final
packaged product. We have very
strong packing lists and when
we export we keep it to totals –
otherwise the logistics would be
near impossible, packing two of
this and one of that. We work on
full box sizes and on full pallets.
Our clients have understood this
and appreciate the organised
logistical system we have in place.”
Good logistics make for good
exporting, they say. “Also knowing
and understanding the regulations
and requirements of the countries to
which you are exporting. We have a
skincare range and so we need to be
100% up to standard with each and
every country.”
They also continue to invest in
research and development, says
Rademan, who is in charge of the
manufacturing of the products. “We
continue to launch new products
and extend our market. We have also
opted for a more labour-intensive
process and prefer to employ people
rather than machines to make our
products. It’s the more sustainable
approach for us.”