Hellmann records phenomenal airfreight growth

IATA figures up 105% in 2002 Gernot Just . . . ‘focusing on specific commodities where we can add value.’ Alan Peat FOLLOWING THE publication of our Top IATA Airfreight Agents feature (August 22, 2003), one of the supposed “did not submit” agents on the IATA list which HAD submitted - and is still battling with IATA on the matter - was Hellmann Worldwide Logistics. Number 12 in 2001 with a turnover of R35.5-million, airfreight export manager John Evans told FTW that for 2002 the company had more than doubled its turnover to R73.06-m (+105.8%). This would have placed it in a more than honourable 5th spot on the 2002 IATA top 30. As in previous years there were certain major commodities which contributed to Hellmann’s performance. Textiles, despite the strengthening of the rand, continued to increase, according to executive director Gernot Just. “This is clearly the result of more manufacturing facilities moving to Africa from the East as a result of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act. Main destinations for the products have been the Americas.” Automotive suppliers have also shown a substantial increase, in the main to the North West continent, says Just. “We expect these commodities to further increase with markets opening up in America and the East.” On the perishable side Just sees a clear indication that the export of live fish to Eastern markets will increase dramatically while frozen fish products into Europe will find new niche markets. “Hellmann will continue to focus on specific commodities where we can add value. We will, in addition, use our global network to offer door-to-door solutions to the airfreight export market.”