Crossaf finds lucrative niche in logistics chain

KEVIN MAYHEW
CONTROLLING THE critical time factor between warehousing and loading or unloading of cargo for transportation has become a major savings area in the logistics chain, according to the owner of Crossaf International, Jeff Smit.
Pomona-based Crossaf - short for Cross Africa - has embraced the two supply chain factors by providing warehousing for consolidation and cargo packing as well as running its own transporters’ yard.
“Our yard is equipped to handle up to 50 trucks at a time and has shower and toilet facilities for the drivers. We can also provide our transporters with repairs and maintenance on site,” explains Smit.
The ability to have trucks at its facility all the time allows Crossaf to fulfil the needs of its clients as it provides realistic answers to whether equipment is available or not - they either have the capacity to handle your cargo or not.
“Most forwarders rely on outsourcing their vehicle capacity to the various transport companies which is not always reliable,” Smit explains.
This, together with capacity to communicate with agents in all the countries, has made the entire southern African area smaller and easier to negotiate for its customers.