Logistics outsourcing demands grow

ALAN PEAT ALREADY ONE of the established service providers in The Eastern Cape, Paradigm Logistics Management is busy expanding its services to meet the ever-growing demands of its client base, according to managing member, Anthony Haynes. The products are aimed at the clearing and forwarding communities in Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth, he told FTW, with Paradigm supplying logistical support services including road distribution and air charter services. “We have expanded our offering to include warehousing and distribution, tailored to the needs of the smaller manufacturers who see value in outsourcing their non-core logistical services. We have warehousing in Midrand Johannesburg and Sydenham Port Elizabeth for these needs.” The factors that drive market demand in the logistics area in which Paradigm operates are purchasing of resources, staffing and labour-related issues, productivity, and management of key performance indicators (KPIs), according to Haynes’ market analysis. “Another essence behind it is that the total cost base must also be efficient and market-related.” One example of the theory being put into practice in the outsourcing arena is in supplying a complete collection-and-distribution (C&D) department to a client on-site. This is fulfilled, said Haynes, with the supply of full-maintenance lease (FML) vehicles and the provision of the staff to operate and manage these resources. “If that’s not enough,” he added, “we provide the warehousing either as a stand-alone or within our warehousing and inventory systems as required.”