Fortnightly groupage service to Angola on the cards RAY SMUTS NATCO SA International Transports, which recently opened its first branch in Cape Town, is not only out to carve for itself a healthy slice of the Western Cape clearing and forwarding pie but make an impact beyond the country’s borders. That oil and mineral-rich Angola presents many business opportunities is clear from the interest thus far shown by South Africa’s clearing and forwarding sector. But NATCO is probably a step ahead of many in that it has been operating a fully-established company, Natco (Angola), in Luanda since 1996. Exports to Angola have more than trebled since then. Says Cape branch manager Desmond O’Hanlon: “The few Cape companies offering a groupage service to Angola operate mostly on a monthly basis, but we are looking at introducing a fortnightly ‘must go’ groupage service to Luanda from June.” Working from smart premises in Montague Gardens, including a 600 m2 warehouse, O’Hanlon brings with him 15 years of industry experience. He is encouraged that a number of important clients, mostly on the export side and involved with such commodities as agricultural, mining and industrial equiment, have come aboard since the branch opened in February. “Imports are picking up well from Europe, particularly Germany and Switzerland, and the Far East.” Headquartered in Rumlang near Zurich, Natco maintains 19 overseas offices and has in place agreements with international agencies around the world, priding itself on complete packages and solutions. The company has been active in South Africa since 1996. “This makes it possible for us to provide total supply chain management for small and medium-size companies as well as for conglomerates operating globally,” O’Hanlon said. “Here at NATCO all clients have a dedicated controller tasked with looking after all aspects of their shipping requirements, thus eliminating the need to deal with various people in different departments.”
