Improved systems speed up turnaround

CHC Container Depot has put its money where its mouth is and invested heavily in upgrading facilities across the country. In particular, the Durban facility located in Prospecton has had a major facelift in the past two months, says Sayed Mohamad, CHC logistics manager. “We have upgraded the facility and it now provides a Customs depot in addition to other features.” These include another 15 dock levellers as well as racking throughout the warehouse premises. “We have also resurfaced the yard space, re-opened a new exit driveway and installed new dispatch exits from the warehouse as well as new dispatch offices,” says Mohamad. “We have improved the logistics of the entire facility and created a structure that allows for flow. We have dedicated areas to control imports and exports for example. It really has created a more efficient system that ultimately will result in a more efficient service.” Already, says Mohamad, turnaround times have drastically improved at the 20 000 m² facility. “At capacity we can unpack between 1000 and 1300 containers per month, but that can be doubled if required.” According to CHC Resources CEO, Reshaan Laljith, the improvements to the Durban depot are all part of the bigger plan for CHC Container Depot. “It is about improving service delivery to customers by ensuring our facilities are state of the art. Also, just as important as the renovations, we have brought people on board who are experienced and service-orientated.” The company recently obtained new warehousing facilities in Pomona on the East Rand that also serve as its headquarters. “It has ample space for operations and turnaround times will be much quicker compared to the congestion in City Deep,” says Laljith.