Consistency produces pleasing result

ANOTHER PLEASING result – that was how Expeditors International MD Richard Mallabone described the company’s R60-million turnover, and accompanying 11th spot, in the 2003 IATA Top 30 airfreight export agents’ chart. There were no special tricks in acquiring its business, he told FTW. “Consistency within our existing customer base,” Mallabone said, “and a focus on business through the US Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa). The latter where the duty-free entry to the huge US market for a number of select product categories exported by approved African states – including South Africa - has given an obvious boost to sub-Saharan export trade.” The company has been busy identifying the logistics needs for these various export product categories, and measuring which would be most cost-efficiently transported by the airfreight mode. Expeditors has also formed fruitful relationships with a selection of the prime airlines serving the relevant trade routes – and this has created a number of useful partnerships, according to Mallabone. “We will continue to work with our partner airlines,” he said, “who have given us great support.” The fact that Agoa has just been extended until 2015 by the US authorities also plays a positive note. “With the renewal of Agoa, growth in this export area looks very bright.”