One of South Africa’s leading freight forwarding companies, Röhlig-Grindrod Logistics, on Thursday celebrated half a century of recording significant milestones and setting standards through superior service delivery, thanks to the sheer indomitability of the company’s local founder – Peter Krafft.
Tentatively spearheaded in the 1960s by the dynamic entrepreneur who passed away last year, the company started in 1852 by Carl Röhlig in Bremen officially opened its first branch outside Germany in 1974.
Röhlig-Grindrod’s current CEO for Africa and the Middle East, Kuben Reddi, said the forwarder had experienced a “remarkable history” since Krafft had started operations “from the boot of his car, supported by two staff members”.
Now boasting a network of some 150 offices in more than 35 countries and employing more than 550 staff members just in the southern African region, it was Krafft who had the vision for an enterprise that would become a “trusted partner in logistics, connecting businesses and people across borders and continents”.
Reddi added that “what began as a bold idea has grown into a thriving organisation”.
Also paying homage to Krafft was Hylton Gray, a board member of Röhlig-Grindrod who is also a member of the Röhlig Logistics Global Executive Board.
A former CEO of the brand’s South African outfit and now based in Chicago, Gray said Krafft’s initial idea to open a branch for Röhlig in South Africa hadn’t been well received.
The manager he approached back then said: “There’s no way that’s going to happen. You’re too young and you don’t speak English.”
Not easily discouraged, Krafft returned with the same idea six months later, armed with a strong reply when the manager reiterated, "you’re still too young and you don’t speak English”. Krafft replied that he had familiarised himself with trade in South Africa and had learned English, which he was speaking fluently.
Remarking on the joint venture (JV) formed with Grindrod in 2000, Gray characterised the 24-year-old development as “two powerhouses coming together”.
He said it was still regarded “as one of our best JVs across the world”.
Gray lauded Reddi’s leadership, melded during a difficult time since he became CEO in 2020 when global supply chains were disrupted by the coronavirus market lockdowns.
Along with the company’s staff, Reddi had succeeded in charting Röhlig-Grindrod through difficult waters, he said.
“Thank you for doing what you do every day. We see it in the figures, in the sales, in the energy, and every time I come back to South Africa we see it in the eyes and hearts of the people that I meet.”
Similar sentiments were shared by Xolani Mbambo, Group CEO of Grindrod Limited and board member of Röhlig-Grindrod.
He said: “It’s a truly remarkable milestone celebrating the 50th birthday of our great venture.
“This evening is not just a celebration of our past, but a reflection of our partnerships and friendships forged over many years.”
The JV enabled the company to change its trajectory to the “success story” it has become, to borrow a phrase from Gray.
Mbambo said Reddi, who joined the company 18 years ago, had played an instrumental and strategically sound role in growing and guiding Röhlig-Grindrod over the last few years.
“Your passion for and commitment to this business, attention to detail, and inspiration for the Röhlig-Grindrod team to deliver at their best is unparalleled.”
Unwilling to take too much credit, Reddi said the company had become “a cornerstone of South Africa’s logistics landscape and a vital player in the global supply chain”, thanks to “hard work, resilience and innovation”.
He said “it’s a story shaped by the foresight of our founders, their determination and the dedication of our employees – the backbone of our business.
“In an industry that never stands still, we have continually adapted to meet the challenges of our time. From embracing cutting-edge technology to driving sustainable logistics solutions, Röhlig-Grindrod has consistently stayed ahead of the curve.
“As we celebrate this golden anniversary, let us look forward with optimism. The world is changing, and with it, the way we do business.”
- For more coverage of Röhlig-Grindrod’s 50th anniversary, please see our “Corridors” feature, out Friday, December 13.
