Difficult conditions demand cost-effective solutions

A TAILOR-made specialist service is the success formula at Skyservices, according to MD Bernd Juelicher. Now in its fourth year of existence, the company still believes that its policy of offering tailor-made solutions to selected perishable clients is the right one, says Juelicher. “It’s been a difficult export year, but it’s heartening to see shippers remaining loyal to tried and tested solutions, even though cheaper options are available from time to time.” Difficult market conditions have forced the company to look at its solutions critically, further improve them and reduce costs where possible. “Our loyal service providers have been of great assistance in this regard,” said Juelicher. “Being part of a bigger group extensively involved in agriculture throughout southern Africa gives us a better perspective and understanding of shipper requirements and the current problems faced by perishable exporters,” he added. Skyservices is a wholly owned subsidiary of Intertrading Limited, the JSE listed agricultural commodity exporters. It operates its own dedicated refrigerated terminal comprising 1900m2 with 700m2 of coldroom space – able to run four different temperature regimes. This terminal is situated in the ACSA Perishable Cargo Triangle and has airside access, operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week at Johannesburg International Airport. The Cape Town branch comprises an airfreight and seafreight office situated in the Airport Industria, looking after air and sea shipments out of Cape Town. Breakbulk reefer and containerised reefer is the speciality in Durban where the company is highly proficient in the handling of citrus exports with all their specific steri requirements, said Juelicher. Overborder cargo from Zimbabwe is another focus area of the Durban branch.