Close co-operation with
transporters crucial
KEVIN MAYHEW
COMPANIES IN the supply chain into Africa need to align themselves with other players to provide a diverse service to a continent that is offering a more developed infrastructure than ever before.
Brett Vaughan, marketing director of Outsource Packaging, says they are being asked to provide services and advice that is outside of the company’s speciality area and have put in place a network of associate companies and service providers to help meet clients’ expectations. Outsource Packaging has depots in Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth. Durban is the focal point at present with a branch in the city’s port and industrial area due to open soon.
“The call for transport into Africa is growing rapidly with the infrastructure definitely showing signs of significant improvement. We are being called upon to provide packaging and warehousing solutions for items as diverse as telecommunication equipment, medical machinery and equipment through to huge mining machinery. It stands to reason that we will get very close to the transporters as we have to design solutions specific to the terrain and hardships that will characterise the journey.
“This closer co-operation has extended into a working turnkey solution for some clients,” Vaughan explains.
Already Outsource Packaging provides its own insurance for items it packages, takes care of routing of cargo and recommends transporters and other players which have a proven strength in the transportation field into the country of destination.
“Our associates certainly benefit from our recommendations as the client feels more comfortable knowing that they are dealing with a trusted business partner of ours,” he says.
