Cypress Transport sets its focus on overborder expansion

HAVING JUST marked its seventh year in business, inland haulage operator Cypress Transport is ready to expand its portfolio with overborder business on the planning boards. The company was launched in September 2000 by seasoned haulage specialist Dorothy Jenkin. Having been part of the launch team of Cross Country Containers, now part of the AP Moller- Maersk Group, Jenkin had the experience and expertise to make things work. From a two-person start-up team the company currently employs 36 staff country-wide and operates from two offices in City Deep, one at the terminal and a second with 6000m2 of warehousing. Its national footprint includes Durban, Cape Town and Pretoria. While Jenkin would support a shift from road to rail – the company’s business mix is currently 80/20 in favour of road – she believes that Transnet Freight Rail will need to improve turnaround times substantially to attract business. “Some traffic has moved back to rail, but even if the rate is good you need service levels to match.” Local distribution is part of the service portfolio with a fleet of 4-, 8-, and 14-tonners doing local deliveries. This along with overborder business is the clear focus for the future, she told FTW.