CSC's trucking volumes grow 67% in eight months

Logistic chain relies on quality of ground handling TRUCKING SERVICES as an extension of airline handling operations is a growing industry throughout the world but was seen originally as having a future in South Africa by Cargo Service Center (CSC) which now operates a fully fledged airport-to-airport service between Johannesburg and the coastal centres of Durban, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. Competition is now becoming a factor, but is welcomed by CSC's Craig Crozet as being of benefit to the industry. "We welcome competition. It has emerged during the past year but we are still well ahead of the situation," says Crozet, operations manager CSC2 warehouse at Johannesburg International Airport where trucking and Cargolux handling are his responsibility. CSC has kept ahead of the field through its neutrality and ability to focus on 'core competence', he says. "We don't see ourselves purely as a handling agent, but are in fact part of a physical distribution chain. Here we build life-long customer value and reciprocal benefits through good service at a competitive price with a strong emphasis on customer satisfaction. CSC's network serves all the main economic regions within South Africa." The trucking operations were started five years ago and now run daily between Johannesburg and all three coastal cities. This is in addition to a service between Port Elizabeth and Cape Town. National tonnage growth in the period March - October 2001 leapt by 67% which Crozet believes is indicative of the service on offer. At the dedicated warehouse at Johannesburg airport, four forklifts have been introduced which deal exclusively with trucking demands in an environment which operates under heavy security. Outsourced trucking gives CSC wide-ranging flexibility, with qualified staff trained to handle all types of consignments including dangerous goods. Sunday service A Sunday trucking service was introduced on the Durban route four months ago which has proved a great success. On one occasion a consignment of 46 tons had to be conveyed in a single day, which involved the use of four trucks travelling from Johannesburg to Durban, and three returning the same day. Liaising with customs is an essential part of the operation, says Crozet. "We deal with them on an ongoing basis and we are maintaining a watchful eye on the many changes that are imminent in customs regulations. They want to license road hauliers who are an extension of the airlines, which we see as a step in the right direction. We operate sealed trucks from airport to airport, and CSC is the only handling agent in South Africa with its own road bond with customs, which facilitates both neutrality and the ability to move bonded freight throughout South Africa. "It should be remembered that moving cargo means more than just flying. In fact, goods spend more time waiting and being handled on the ground than in the air. It is the quality of ground handling, both in the warehouse and on the road, on which the entire logistic chain stands or falls. That is the area in which I am satisfied we excel."