Durban sales and release operation upgraded

Consolidation shipments on key northern routes have not been drastically affected by the global economic climate, one groupage company reports. “World Groupage Services is taking an optimistic view of the current economic situation on the basis that our volumes in our prime business – groupage out of the USA and UK – has held remarkably steady,” says director Alistair Heald. Heald noted that FCL volumes had diminished over this time last year, particularly in automotive parts and related industries as is the case worldwide, and concurred with Tito Mboweni’s recent comments that dollar-based companies are taking strain from the relative strength of the rand. “All this considered, World Groupage Services has continued to offer a weekly service from the USA and UK into all four major ports in South Africa,” said Heald, whose company has offices in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg. “We have over recent months decided to take a positive stance and have actually increased our staff complement, especially in the area of sales. We also continue to use the best possible method of transport for our clients such as road freight from the ports as opposed to rail, saving several days over the rail option and thus aiding in just in time management,” he said. WGS has adjusted and upgraded its Durban sales and release operation, looking forward to growth in that region. Over the past 12 months the company has upgraded its IT systems so that, following registration of a shipment, clients will be able to receive automatic email updates of any changes in the status of the groupage shipment in real time. The company website is also being redesigned to provide such useful information as conversion tables, incoterms and container specs, as well as offering interactive maps showing the geographical movement the cargo will take together with cut-offs and transit times. “All of this will be available to our customers shortly,” said Heald.