Having a global consolidation
service based in Port Elizabeth
is helping small to medium
local companies to expand
into export markets, according
to Yvonne Palm, managing
director of ECU Worldwide
South Africa.
While the company provides
both project cargo and full
container load services by
sea, air and land, the demand
in the Eastern Cape comes
largely from niche exporters,
many of whom are expanding,
according to Palm.
“A number of our smaller
clients are achieving
remarkable results. Many are
finding new markets, which
can only be exploited if the
right logistics is in place,” she
says.
“As a company we ensure
that we keep adapting to meet
the changing needs of the
market. Our service offering
is that we can deliver from the
customer’s door to the door
of their client anywhere in
the world,” says sales director
Deleon van Rooyen.
Dealing with family-owned
businesses such as those in
the Eastern Cape has its own
rewards and challenges.
Ownership of the business
and pride in the products it
makes is often much more
personal than for those who are
part of a bigger group.
“We understand that the
cargo we carry for familyowned
businesses is very
precious to them personally,
and we treat it accordingly,”
says Van Rooyen.
Palm urges Eastern Cape
exporters to look beyond
traditional export markets
in the east and west and to
explore opportunities in Africa.
Importers are also likely to
find new products.
“ECU Worldwide has
representation in 49 countries
in Africa, and there is a huge
push by the company to help
companies on the continent to
trade more with each other,”
she says.
The consolidator is also
able to help companies
that are investing in new
equipment, according to Van
Rooyen.
“We handle project cargo
ranging from less than
container loads to specialised
cargo,” he says.
Deleon van Rooyen and Yvonne Palm … door to door service.
