Logistics operator offers money-back savings guarantee

Savings guaranteed or
your money back. That’s
the simple message from
logistics company TSI
Central Station.
“We see ourselves as a
management facilitating
company,” says CEO
Clifford Blackburn. “We
don’t own any assets but
rather manage transport
and logistics for our clients
from cradle to grave.
“We can provide the cost
saving upfront – and if
we don’t achieve what we
promise we’ll pay back the
difference.”
And in its 10 years of
existence the company has
never paid back a cent, says
Blackburn.
When TSI Central
Station was launched its
focus was purely on the
transport leg – but as
customers pushed for an
expanded service range, the
company obliged.
“Our IT system, which
was written in 2006, is
the game-changer,” says
Blackburn.
“It’s not a track and trace
system but provides info on
ports, airlines, truckers or
last mile delivery. It’s eventdriven
and we provide
the customer with the
information they require in
their format of preference –
email, sms, WhatsApp etc.
“We have 11 controllers in
Johannesburg and in terms
of volume one person will
handle 500-600 shipments
with ease. The system
drives it.”
But IT is all very well,
says Blackburn. “Critical to
its success is the driver.
“We put an expert
behind it – and that’s one
of our biggest value-adds.
We’ll have an experienced
trucker or an experienced
logistics operator. They
know their business and
the system helps them to do
their job better. You can sell
a system but you need to
have good people behind it.
“We can change suppliers
and agents seamlessly and
in terms of transparency
the client always knows
who the supplier is.
“We go in as
consultants but
don’t charge as
consultants,” says
Blackburn. “We
make money not on
giving our advice but
rather on managing
the supply chain.
“I constantly
preach truth and
transparency.”
TSI employs
75 people
countrywide
with offices
in Durban,
Cape Town
and Johannesburg.
Taking its service
offering to the next level,
TSI also offers an in-house
‘transport desk’ for several
major customers.
“We give them an
expert to manage
their transport
business and
become part of the
team.”
INSERT & CAPTION
Our IT system, which
was written in 2006,
is the game-changer.
– Clifford Blackburn