Logistics major continues on growth path

Dachser will continue to

expand its presence in

Africa, working with reliable

partners strategically positioned

across the continent, according

to CEO Bernhard Simon.

Speaking to FTW during a

recent visit to South Africa,

Simon reiterated the logistics

service provider’s commitment

to the continent, saying there

were many opportunities

despite the economic slowdown.

“We don’t just invest in boom

times,” he said. “We take a longterm

approach, much as we did

in South Africa, and build our

footprint accordingly. We have

high hopes pinned on Africa.”

He said while the company

still saw itself as a relatively

small player in Africa, the goal

was to be well established in the

various markets as and when

the tide turned.

Simon said the company

had invested heavily in areas

such as Morocco and Tunisia

where there was real growth –

in the region of

20% and more.

He told FTW that, despite

the drop in commodity prices,

there was still fast-growing

demand for the commodities

available on the African

continent, while the retail

and manufacturing sectors

were gaining ground. This, he

said, offered good prospects

to logistics companies such as

Dachser.

“There is no denying

that there are challenges in

operating in Africa,” he said.

“This, however, should not

deter one from investing in the

continent and establishing a

strong foothold.”

Detlev Duve, managing

director of Dachser South

Africa, agreed, saying logistics

strategists could not afford to

ignore the African market of

the future. “We bring a global

network to Africa while also

understanding the complexities

and unique challenges that

come with logistics on the

continent.”

He said the company took

an “innovative” approach to

logistics, allowing it to deliver

the tailor-made solutions

that African operators often

required.

According to Simon, it

is integral that the same

streamlined processes that are

delivered by Dachser within

very specific timeframes in the

developed world are replicated

in the complex African

environment.

“We apply the same core

values and principles no matter

where we operate in the world,”

he said. “We have invested in

appointing the right people

for our African operations

to ensure we are delivering a

service of value that ensures an

unbreakable chain from start

to finish. Training and skills

development are important

aspects of this and we continue

to invest heavily in these

departments.”

INSERT & CAPTION

Bernhard Simon, Dachser CEO, and Detlev Duve, managing director of Dachser

South Africa.