Warehouse facilities expanded KEVIN MAYHEW DRIVING THE mood of optimism in Durban is a realisation by the logistics industry, which weathered the storm of a stronger rand 18 months ago and the resultant drop in exports, that there is still life in exports. This is the assessment of newly appointed general manager business development of Bidfreight Port Operations (BPO), Thando Magewu. Magewu recently joined BPO after holding a senior position at National Ports Authority in Durban. “We have found that our major export clients have become very cost sensitive in this environment and we have to adjust to meet those sensitivities. The company recently renewed its long-term lease contracts with NPA for its premises in Maydon Wharf which also provide it with greater long-term stability to invest in more infrastructure to meet these needs,” she said. Bidfreight Port Operations has joined the Durban drift to greater A-grade warehousing capacity with the purchase of two existing undercover warehouses which it has adjusted to meet current needs. It has also built a brand new warehouse at a cost of R23m. These new facilities provide about 27 000 m2 of additional under cover warehousing space. Bidfreight managing director, Jannie Roux, and new general manager, business development, Thando Magewu … still life in exports.
