Keeping it ‘hall’ in the family

The one is a Cheetah, the other a Bull. One of them claims to be a Lion and the fourth is definitely a Shark. Understandably they don’t always agree – over rugby that is – but when it comes to business they stand as one. Ken Hall never thought his boys and son-in-law would join him in the family business – in fact, it was never expected, but one by one they have come on board. “I consider myself very lucky to have my entire family work with me,” says Hall, who has been in the transport industry since the sixties. A Zambian by birth his love for horses led him to trucks. “Now we have changed the four legged ones for the mechanical kind.” Along with his wife Cindy, with whom he has worked since she left school, they built up a transport business now situated in Spartan on the East Rand. Under the banner of Greendoor Logistics their son Richard soon joined and now heads up Ka Go 2 Go, an express and consolidations transporter to Zambia, while their youngest, Gary, is at the helm of Cargo 2 Congo, which focuses on project cargo to Congo. Their eldest daughter, Samantha, decided not to follow in the family’s footsteps and became a chef, but her husband, Jacques, found himself roped in and now heads up the warehouse facility. “I always knew he would be good as his personality type suits this industry,” says Hall about the man who is also the father of his first grandchild. “It did take some convincing to get him to come on board.” Unlike Hall’s boys, Jacques did not grow up around trucks. “I had never worked in the transport industry so it was a big decision, but the best one I could have made.” For Gary and Richard it is a privilege to learn from their father. “He has been doing it for so long and has had failures and successes. We can learn from that and we do – all the time,” says Gary, whose passion for trucks is evident. “I always knew I was going to work with my dad. I grew up in this industry.” Richard, on the other hand, it is about giving back. “My parents did a lot for us and I think being involved with the family business is a way we can give back to them.” A close-knit family, there is a lot of trust and respect for each other. “There is something to be said for working with people you know and trust,” says Gary. “Unlike a company where it may take years to really get to know your colleagues, we have that foundation, that bond.” And it is not about pay cheques – but rather about taking their father’s legacy forward. “They never had to join,” says Hall. “It was their choice, but when they did, we decided to grow the business to create more opportunities for everyone.” His advice to anyone who has the opportunity to work with their family is to do it. “The most important thing is family. It is not about making the most money – it helps, but that is not what is important – my wife, my children, my grandchildren – my family. That is what is important. We are very blessed.”