Live event logistics leaves no margin for error

THERE IS no better place to develop proficiency in handling project cargo than freight logistics for the live events industry, according to Nick Fountain, director of Silic Logistics. “With its utterly strict timing schedule, being a successful freight provider for national concert tours by entertainers such as Avril Lavigne, Celine Dion and Robbie Williams, proves you can handle even the toughest problems the project cargo industry can throw at you,” he told FTW. It all comes down to planning, judgement and communication, according to operations director, Warren Sievwright. “It essentially makes the difference between 30 000 people watching a concert or going home disappointed,” he added. “For these events we handle the entire logistics programme. In organising up to 100 movements of equipment – including sound and lighting – to the respective venue in time for the event, it is a matter of hours and minutes.” Through hard work on the event side it was inevitable that Silic's reputation would grow in the project cargo industry, according to Fountain. “And, being situated on the Wharf at Durban harbour, we are ideally placed for handling seafreight projects arriving in SA,” he said. “It means we have immediate hands-on management as the cargo arrives. And the ability to have men on the ground to ensure safe and effective handling makes all the difference.” This reputation has now begun filtering through to the industry in China, Southern and Central Africa. “For example,” said Fountain, “we have just managed 30% of the handling, loading and transportation of a copper mine and cement factory – delivered in parts to Maydon Wharf from China for delivery to Zambia.” On-going expansion has seen the company develop from a small-scale cross-border transport brokerage into a full-scale intermodal transport management operation, according to marketing director, Angus Dustan. It is now able to offer its clients turnkey solutions in four operational divisions – domestic and cross-border transport, warehousing, international freight and live-event and project logistics. “Our service commitment to our clients is based directly on their requirements,” Dustan said, “where we endeavour to think outside the box. “By assessing their current systems we aim to provide them with costeffective and hands-free solutions, allowing the respective company to continue the business of doing business.” The company is also busy developing its other logistics services, and acquiring extensive premises in and around Durban. “We now have warehousing and container-handling capabilities in the busiest breakbulk metropolis in Africa,” Dustan added. “Which – together with what we call a “virtual fleet” of over 500 vehicles all over sub-equatorial Africa – allows us the flexibility our clients require, and to operate on short-notice at competitive prices.”