Inadequate cold store capacity and incorrect product handling remain two of the biggest challenges facing logistics operators in the cold chain sector. According to Catherine Andreka, managing director of Sourcing Solutions South Africa (SSSA), this often results in backlogs and unnecessary costs, delays and inefficiencies within the supply and value chain. Cape Townbased SSSA specialises in cold chain solutions, offering a variety of services. Its latest offering is part load consolidations for temperature – controlled cargo to Johannesburg, Durban and Port Elizabeth. “Consolidations is an area of our business we are focusing on. We have a strategy in place to build a sustainable national network to all areas,” she said. “We are also currently building a crossborder consolidation service to Namibia for frozen cargo.” The company had aligned itself with the correct partners and put the necessary checks in place to ensure product integrity and temperature monitoring, said Andreka. “The cold chain and the agrisector make up a substantial part of the transport out of the Western Cape and there are many small to medium-sized companies looking to enter this market due to the growth in food demands.” She said this led to a higher demand for reliable, efficient and affordable route to market for temperaturesensitive cargo. Having the correct measures in place to ensure that cold chains were not broken and handling of food products was done correctly was essential, she added. “Another big challenge has been the economy and the volatile exchange rate, which has hindered companies’ buying decisions,” she said. Andreka added that now more than ever it was important to understand customer needs. “It is just as critical to understand the products one is carrying.” Commenting on future trends, she said moves towards a greener cold chain were likely to accelerate.
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We are currently building a crossborder consolidation service to Namibia for frozen cargo. – Catherine Andreka