Consultants devise turnaround strategy for Gabcon

A turnaround strategy

for the Gaborone

Container Terminal

(Gabcon) is on the cards

setting it up for future growth and

development.

According to acting managing

director, Patrick Masikara, the

terminal has

experienced

consistent

volume declines

over the past

few years

thanks to the

global economic

downturn.

“Volumes

have remained

constrained and the decision

was taken to develop a

turnaround strategy and

recovery plan,” he told FTW.

Consultants were brought on

board to look at the container

terminal’s business in all its

facets. “They are also working

very closely on a road rail

strategy for us. All of this will

ultimately be transformed into

a business plan for the terminal

taking it forward.”

He said the consultants were

tasked with investigating not

only the local market but also

the regional and international

landscapes.

“Part of what we need to do if

we want to grow volumes within

our terminal is to look at how we

move cargo from

road to rail.

We have at the

same time also

engaged with

our customers

in an effort to

ascertain exactly

what their needs

are and how

we can address

their challenges.”

He said a customer survey had

been completed in September.

“It is all about benchmarking

and setting standards from

where we can look at improving

our service delivery and

ultimately growing our volumes

again.”

Masikara said the consultative

process and survey results

were expected to be concluded

and available by the latest in

December this year.

“After that we can start looking

at the big picture and develop

a strategy that will take us

forward. It has been an extremely

important process as we can

only address problems

and challenges once

we are clear about

what they are. We

could very well be

assuming what

the challenges are

only to find out

they are completely

different.”

He said part of the process

was also to implement a cost

reduction plan. “Our plans are

both short- and long-term. Our

immediate goal is to target

the low hanging fruit and look

at projects that will bring in

revenue in the short term

– but at the same time

also develop projects

that will generate

revenue over the

long term, allowing

for a sustainable

environment.”

INSERT & CAPTION

Part of the process is

to implement a costreduction

plan.

– Patrick Masikara