IN A special contractual agreement, Grindrod International Freight has signed a deal with the Swiss-based forwarding and logistics group, Danzas - with 16 000 staff in 600 offices in over 40 countries.
And, with SA's post-sanctions return to the wide world of trade, it's access to this cobweb of air and ocean forwarding networks that is the prize Grindrod gains through the agreement.
If any local forwarding group is going to effectively compete with the foreign multi-nationals as integrated logistics service providers, a global network like this is crucial, said John Gentleman, GM of Grindrod Int'l Freight. It also gives us the power to meet the future expansion of our market. And there's a cherry on the top of this cake, according to Grindrod m.d. John Williamson. We will also have access to a wide range of specialist products in freight forwarding and logistics which have been developed by Danzas, he said.
The local end of the deal is that Danzas is maintaining its sales presence, but contracting its operational functions over to Grindrod Int'l.
Our sales offices in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town, said Danzas' SA m.d. Michael Roll, will actively sell our air and ocean forwarding services, in co-operation with Grindrod - who will manage the local operational handling and customs clearance of the business. Roll also stresses that Danzas' international customers will benefit from the local business know-how of Grindrod.
With the signing of the new deal, there is also an amicable parting of the ways from Grindrod's current, international agency partners, according to Williamson.
