Integrated approach helps grow supply chain business

Walvis Bay Logistics
Support Services
(LSS) has refined an
integrated approach
to supply chain management which
has seen the company both grow
and retain its
client base.
“To successfully
integrate
operations
within an
organisation you
need a specific
approach. You
need to minimise
exposure to risks
while ensuring
that individual
service streams
can operate independently or
as a whole when required,” says
Nico Oberholzer, LSS business
development manager.
“If I can use a practical
example – it’s similar to
operating a venetian blind; single
business streams of operation
that operate successfully,
however when required you
close the blinds
and you have
an effective
business unit
that provides a
comprehensive
(one-stop)
service offering,”
he adds.
The individual
“blinds”
represent
specialised
services such
as vessel agency, husbandry,
warehousing, international
freight forwarding, special
projects, sourcing and
procurement, customs brokerage
and logistics consulting.
Having such a flexible
approach, built on the foundation
of mutual trust, respect and
transparency has enabled
LSS to remain competitive,
effective and efficient during the
current downturn, according to
Oberholzer.
“Mutual respect and trust
between ourselves and our
customers are critical. Our
customers trust us to do our best
in any given situation, and we trust
our customers to pay according to
the agreement.
“It all stems from relationships
we have built up over time,” he
says.
The approach has helped
the company to retain clients
from project phase through to
commercial operation.
“It is almost a given that any
project work translates into
ongoing logistics support once
projects become operational.
“The vertical integration
services offered by LSS enable
us to move with the client
through the different phases
of development, each of which
requires its own set of logistics
services and skills sets,” he says.
INSERT
It is almost a given that any
project work translates into
ongoing logistics support
once projects become
operational.
– Nico Oberholzer