'Innovative solution' clinches massive wind tower deal

Geodis Freight Forwarding
has invested in two reach
stackers – referred to as
‘beauty and beast’ – which
play an integral role in the handling
of cargo in the company’s laydown
area at the Port of Ngqura in the
Eastern Cape.
“We made the investment in the
two reach stackers when we were
appointed late last year to handle
the movement of 163 wind tower
generators from the Chinese factory
to a site in De Aar, Northern Cape,”
said Geodis managing director, Jan
Ludolph.
He told FTW that the company, in
conjunction with its SA and Chinese
partners, had set about building
the most “cost-effective, innovative
transport solution” which won
Geodis the contract. “This is our first
wind farm renewables project in SA
and we plan to play a much larger
role in future projects in SA, Africa
and globally,” said Ludolph.
The reach stackers will help the
company achieve that goal – with the
‘beast’ able to lift up to 100 tonnes
onto a lowbed. “This is more than
enough to lift the 60 plus tonne
windfarm generator,” he said. The
‘beauty’ helps the beast lift the
much higher and longer blades in
tandem onto the specially designed
extendable trailers, explained
Ludolph.
“As far as we are aware, Geodis has
pioneered this type of equipment for
project cargo in SA. We now know we
can work very safely in higher wind
conditions and most importantly,
more efficiently, due to the superior
manoeuvrability, compared to a
crane operation,” he commented.
Geodis Freight Forwarding has
been operational in SA for over 50
years (established in Johannesburg,
in 1965) and has been part of the
French SNCF group since 2008.
“Part of the Geodis strategy has been
to innovate in our vertical markets
where we have special expertise.
The number one vertical market
for Geodis Freightforwarding
Worldwide is industrial projects and
we have made great strides in SA in
this field,” said Ludolph.
INSERT & CAPTION
Geodis's new reach stacker can lift up to 100 tonnes onto a lowbed.