Logistical excellence can only be achieved if South African companies get the basics right, says Juliette Fourie, managing director of logistics training provider Metro Minds According to Fourie, there is a huge gap between graduate-level and highly experienced logistic specialists. “There is very little scope to expand logistics knowledge beyond the degree/diploma level and most people seek specialities in supply chain logistics,” says Fourie. “With Fiata also leaning towards the verification of a higher diploma in supply chain in South Africa, this would be the most logical next step for people looking to study in this arena.” But with the major tertiary institutions providing limited logistics qualifications, it’s necessary for private providers to extend their scope or align with FET colleges to diversify, in her view. “As this is such a huge challenge, it is also good to look at future learnerships from Level 5 upwards in the area of logistics and supply chain.” The industry focus must fall on increasing revenue streams by decreasing costs and increasing cash, says Fourie. “This can only be achieved if proper transportation systems and solutions are in place to turn around products faster and get cash in hand back quicker than before. The typical scenario of inventory low, cash high. This is the high wave of opportunity on which freight forwarders should ride.”
