Going global kick-starts growth for Reegans

CLIVE EMDON BECOMING A member of the Worldwide Cargo Network Association (WCNA) helped build a small freight company by providing it with agents in 67 countries and a powerful business network, says Reegans Freight MD Vee Naidoo. Reegans Freight is the sole Southern African member of WCNA and one of only four in Africa. “It’s brought us new contacts and new business,” says Naidoo When he launched the company seven years ago he was working out of his motor car. Today his clearing and forwarding company is buzzing with cross-border business out of Johannesburg and Durban and employs 15 people including seven drivers. The current fleet comprises nine vehicles, with two trucks on order. He sees new growth in freight demand into Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland while longer-term prospects include Namibia and Zambia. Clothing exports from Botswana and Swaziland also offer potential. The company has warehouse facilities in Johannesburg and Durban, operating an overnight service between the two cities and bi-weekly services to Lesotho, Botswana and Swaziland. “Our big business is in moving building materials and clothing into African states from South Africa as well as foreign imports such as tiles, door locks and glass blocks from India, China and Thailand. Seafreight exports from South Africa include chemicals and technology to West African states and Angola.