Forwarders expect limited business from Soccer World Cup

ALAN PEAT SOUTH AFRICA’S successful bid for the Soccer World Cup 2010 will bring limited additional business to the forwarding industry, in the view of industry sources. The travel and hospitality industries will benefit by a barrowload of extra business, according to Peter Krafft of Ršhlig Grindrod, but forwarding only a little. “There will be certain things, like specialised TV equipment, that need to be brought in. But nothing we’ll make millions from - so it’s not a big thing for forwarders.” The winner? “One of the European states,” said Krafft. “Clearly, we as a company will be sitting down to talk about this - and decide what its benefits are,” said Richard Mallabone of Expeditors. The focus will be on the business side rather than tourism - which will gain obvious benefits. And the winner of World Cup 2010? “From what little I know about soccer, my heart says South Africa,” said Mallabone. Nick Kuhn of express company DHL sees positive results. “We’ve been involved in the cricket world cup and the All-Africa games,” he said. What is critical in the soccer world cup issue, he added, is the efficiency of logistics within the structure. “SA has a secure base so it will be of benefit to us not just in volumes but values as well.” And the winners? “We have home field advantage. “As a proud South African I’d like to say that SA will be the winners.”