year since the CFR
Group moved into
custom-designed
premises in Jet Park
– with sea, air and warehousing
all under one roof – customers are
reaping the significant benefits,
says CFR Freight managing director
Martin Keck.
“Having all operations under
one roof strengthens our control
while the proximity to the
largely East Rand-based freight
customer base makes sense for
our customers and ourselves,” said
Keck.
The neutral groupage operator’s
service menu now extends beyond
its core role as a consolidator
to include import degroup,
export packing, transport and
warehousing.
“And it’s these value-added
services that are entrenching us
with our customers,” says CFR
Group CEO Peter Schmidt-Löffler.
ZacPak offers a daily road
transport service for imports and
exports on the Durban-Gauteng
route. According to Willie Nel,
managing director of the in-house
customs-licensed depot operation,
transit time for cargo from gate in
at the Durban depot to availability
for collection in Johannesburg is
now less than three days.
“Other operators generally
average in the region of five to
seven days so this is a huge time
saving for our customers,” said
Nel.
It all comes back to the issue
of single-company control, says
Schmidt-Löffler. “No matter how
good your relationship with a
third-party operator, it doesn’t
come near to the benefit of sole
control.”
With the Johannesburg ZacPak
operation bedded down, the next
step will be the launch of a virtual
bond store, says Nel, which is due
to open shortly. “This will put us
in the unique position of being
able to place cargo anywhere on
the floor and it will be considered
to be in virtual bond even though
it may not be a bonded area. For
the customer, that will translate
into quicker cargo movement.
“Once we ensure and can prove
that our IT capability is up to par,
we will enter into discussions with
Sars and make application.”
The company is however
mindful of the possible
implications of the new Customs
Bill which could remove the status
of City Deep as an inland
port. “We are part of a
committee with Saaff and
are keeping our ears close
to the ground so that we are
fully prepared for whatever
the outcome will be,” said
Keck.
In terms of its airfreight
division, which is also based
at the Jet Park facility, it has
recorded phenomenal growth,
says airfreight general
manager, Stephen Bishop.
“We’re Part 108 and RA3
accredited - and do all screening
on site for outbound cargo.
“We can collect and deliver
cargo on behalf of our clients for
imports and exports – and do the
packing and repacking of all cargo
types.”
In February next year the
local operation will be hosting
the annual general meeting of
its global agents, the Air Cargo
Group. “It’s the first time the
annual meeting has been held
in South Africa – and it will
see 50 representatives from
around the globe converging on
Johannesburg,” said Bishop.
INSERT & CAPTION 1
No matter how good your
relationship with a thirdparty
operator, it doesn’t
come near to the benefit of
sole control.
– Peter Schmidt-Löffler
INSERT & CAPTION 2
We’ve moved beyond our
core role as a consolidator
to include import degroup,
export packing, transport
and warehousing.
– Martin Keck
