Merger creates warehousing and stevedoring major strategically positioned within holding company Bidvest

KEVIN MAYHEW
TWO NAMES synonymous with successful stevedoring and terminalling in South Africa are to merge the port warehousing and stevedoring operations of one of Durban’s most famous companies to make way for a more specific identity, Bidfreight Port Operations.
Although at this point Rennies Cargo Terminals will remain the trading entity of Bidfreight Port Operations, it will disappear once the legalities of the major restructuring of what was Rennies Cargo Terminals and South African Stevedores are completed.
The new name, according to marketing and business development director Bruce Irvine, more obviously positions it as a company involved in the core businesses of its composite entities – warehousing and stevedoring.
“The new name also strategically positions it within the holding company, Bidvest, which provides its own automatic branding strength and solidity,” he explains.
Bidfreight Port Operations stemmed from a decision to merge the business of South African Stevedores with the port services operations of Rennies Cargo Terminals into one legal entity. The effect of this restructuring, when all the legalities have been finalised, will be to offer one financial and management system that provides for administrative and reporting efficiencies, Irvine explains.