Expanded Francophone network tops the agenda at FT Global

First Tech Global Logistics has set its sights on developing its Francophone network on the continent. “We have a number of hand-picked agents spread throughout Africa,” managing director Hilton Tait told FTW. “Our network is made up of individual agents in each country, mostly local and privately owned,” he said. “We know they will look after our interests as well as those of our customers and we also believe that they have the right mix when it comes to developing sales. We have been participating in over-border sales trips to accelerate growth in these areas,” he added. Meanwhile, in South Africa Tait admits that business has been tough, with a lot of the projected infrastructure developments not being met. This has been compounded by the slowing down of capital expenditure on mining projects due to the current unrest in the labour market. “This has also impacted on some group manufacturing, which in turn disrupts imports of raw materials,” he said. It forced the company to look at external business. “We have captured new business but it has been hard work and we have had to review rates as there is a lot of competition in the market.” Despite these challenges, the company’s outlook is “reasonably optimistic”, says Tait. Earlier this year FT Global Logistics took over and incorporated Kyden Freight into the group, which gave them access to Sars facilities as well as increased human resources and new business. This was followed by the opening of a Cape Town branch in August this year. “The first two months were slow but October saw a lot of new business brought on board,” said Tait. He says the company is also looking at opening a branch in Durban in 2013.