Jo'burg-Windhoek route cuts costs, speeds transit

On the back of growing
demand, Crossroads
Distribution is set to expand
its three-times-a-week
groupage service on the Johannesburg-
Windhoek route.
“Thanks to economies of scale we
are able to offer very competitive rates
– in both directions
– and we guarantee a
48-hour delivery,” GM
marketing, Howard
Sayers, told FTW.
“In our consolidation
centres in Midrand and
Windhoek we have a
variety of customers
– not only Namibian –
which means that the
costs are shared.”
The company is
one of the biggest
consolidators for the mining industry
in South Africa and its core business
has been contract logistics for
dedicated customers.
Seeing a niche in the market,
Crossroads started its LCL (less than
container load) service on a small
scale a few months ago and has seen
unprecedented growth. “We now have
the option for customers to phone into
Windhoek or Johannesburg and track
cargo from source to destination.”
With four major new customers
coming on board in the next three
weeks, Sayers believes the company has
got the formula right.
“Not only are rates competitive, we
also preclear so there are no problems
at the border. And because we doubledrive
the vehicle there are no delays –
and this is something we’ve learnt from
our time-sensitive linehaul operations
in South Africa.”
The service caters for the full range
of general cargo, from courier business
and IT to mining equipment and tyres.
It doesn’t cater for refrigerated cargo at
present but this is a future possibility,
according to Sayers.
“We also don’t just run one type
of vehicle but suit the
vehicle to the cargo.
We’re piggy-backing on
systems learnt in the
mining industry.”
According to Sayers,
a CT-Windhoek service
is set for launch in
the next few months.
The company will also
replicate the service
between major centres
in South Africa.
“Our policy has
always been to follow our customers,
and future growth plans will be
dictated by their needs,” he added.
Sayers believes the flow of goods
into SADC countries is likely to change
with the development of the Walvis
Bay harbour.
“A lot of inbound freight from
Europe and South America will come
in through Walvis which is likely to
help correct the imbalance of freight.
At present there’s a lot going in but not
a lot coming out.
“This will make the route more
competitive on the inbound leg. It
will also open up the Walvis Bay-
Copperbelt route to Zambia and DRC
with goods from South America and
Europe coming in and copper and the
like going out.”
INSERT & CAPTION
A CT-Windhoek
service is set for
launch in the next
few months.
– Howard Sayers