Three years since its entry into the overborder market, transport specialist Manline has recorded exponential growth – and is cautiously optimistic about the year ahead. Established in 1998 as a domestic transport operator, the company diversified its operations based on customer demand and launched a service in and out of Botswana in 2005. This was followed by Zambia where Manline currently operates a 50-truck fleet on a regular basis. “Flat deck Superlinks are our speciality, and with our tankers we are able to provide a world class service to our clients,” says marketing director Fearne Gilson. In total the company’s current fleet comprises 300 vehicles. A regular service to Zimbabwe is also on the planning boards While Manline has served the country on an ad hoc basis, the volatility of the market remains a challenge, says Gilson. “The boom in the resources market has made Zambia a very attractive option and our results for the past year have been fantastic. “We believe that Africa holds huge potential, and much like the local market, diversification is key “Mining has been the biggest growth area on the Zambia route but we are moving various products in and out of Lusaka – there’s a lot of development there thanks to exponential growth in the Zambian economy.” While the current financial crisis has tempered last year’s very positive outlook, Gilson remains bullish. “There’s still a requirement for copper around the world, although we have seen a move to finished product rather than concentrates.” And when it comes to competitive edge, Gilson believes technology plays a big role. “Manline was one of the first logistics companies in South Africa to install real-time satellite tracking in its fleet,” says Gilson. “At the heart of our innovation is our enterprise software platform, MAX (logistics Management And eXecution) which provides a realtime, 24/7, internet-based operating platform and database for the company and its customers. “It automates our entire operation, from customer needs analysis and fleet management through to back office and reporting.” Based in Pietermaritzburg, Manline has a network of nine offices, including Zambia.
