Export specialist plans import growth

Hike Freight Services set for expansion
JOY ORLEK
TWO MONTHS since its official launch, Hike Freight Services has made significant inroads into the market, exceeding budgeted targets and picking up several new accounts, says director Hilton Tait. The company was established through a management buy-out of Aviocean subsidiary Aviocean Exports by Hilton Tait and Kevin Beswick, previously minority shareholders in the subsidiary. “Our main focus has traditionally been exports,” says Tait. “The buy-out included the takeover of all export staff and infrastructure necessary to serve this market.” Imports are the next logical step, and according to Tait, the company already has a strong base load of UK import customers. “We have a strong agency network worldwide, and with a sizeable import client base, we intend to grow this division.” The company has moved into new premises in Jet Park with increased office and warehouse capacity. “We have basically doubled in size, both in terms of office and warehousing capacity, and are ideally situated close to the airport and a good road network,” said Beswick. The company's comprehensive agency network includes listed Taiwanese company Dimerco, which has its own offices throughout China, SE Asia, Europe, USA and Australasia. Since 1991 Dimerco has opened 30 offices in China and is seen as an emerging Chinese-speaking multinational freight company. This is an area which Hike is keen to develop. The company has also forged strong agency links in Europe, the UK and Africa, says Tait, the latter a region of strong focus for some time. It has appointed subagents in Durban and Cape Town and employs 19 staff at its Jet Park head office.