FATS opens Jet park office

Time-sensitive market gains momentum
KEVIN MAYHEW
THERE’S A noticeable trend in Zambia for local entrepreneurs and businesses to extend their activities into manufacturing to supply the growing demand within the country for not only consumer products, but more diverse requirements. Darren Brown, logistics and planning manager for Durban-based Forwarding African Transport Services (FATS), said his company – which specialises in transport to Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi – also opened a dedicated office at Jet Park in Johannesburg in June this year. This will facilitate not only its overborder road freight operations but also its airfreight services mainly to Lusaka, for which Brown says there is increasing demand. “Zambia is showing signs of a growing economy that is looking at diversification,” says Brown, and this includes the manufacturing sector. “But the mines are still a major factor and a market we service with options that are specific to their needs,” he said. To supply this market with emergency components, FATS offers an express service to the three countries by road. This is specifically tailored for urgent cargo moving to the mines, manufacturing plants and agriculture. The company has its own bonded stores in Durban and also offers consolidations. A transhipment service via the Port of Durban is provided for bulk, breakbulk, project and containerised cargo. FATS is a family business set up 14 years ago by two sisters, Elaine and Karen Harris. Its first consignment was moved to Zambia.