New facility enhances perishable handling capability

Logistics major GAC Laser
has signed a long-term lease
on a custom built 10 0000 m²
warehouse facility south of Durban
port with direct access from the
M4 freeway.
Offering multiple container
handling bays, 11m roof height and
under-cover loading areas for all
weather handling capabilities, the
entire facility is Wi-Fi enabled. This
facilitates remote scanning of cargo
with all stock information available
“live” to customers on the GAC
Laser warehouse stock management
system, says Carol Holland, regional
executive for GAC Laser.
“The high standard of the
warehouse has resulted in its
successful certification as both
an Ambient Citrus Fruit handling
facility and a Food Business Operator
(FBO code) which has allowed
GAC Laser to offer its services to
some of the larger fruit exporters in
South Africa,” she says. “The strict
protocol determined by the PPECB
for the export of ambient fruit will
require that we operate on a 24/7
basis throughout the season while
applying our effective operating
procedures in order to comply with
all legislated requirements. The
fruit area and general cargo area are
separated to focus on the specific
needs of individual customers and
cargo handling requirements.”
According to Holland, GAC Laser
caters for a diversity of customers
and has purchased the appropriate
equipment to handle products
ranging from paper and paperboard
products to lengths of steel and steel
coils, drummed, palletised and
crated cargo.
When the World Cup was just
weeks away, GAC Laser was
conducting a full pick and pack
service specifically for World
Cup 2010 merchandise which was
distributed nationally.
“GAC Laser’s KwaZulu Natal
clearing and forwarding division
is based at Riverhorse Valley in
Nandi Drive. This location is ideally
situated for the handling of airfreight
at the new King Shaka International
airport and allows for quick access
onto all the major freeways. Our
specialised project cargo division has
secured significant tenders recently
with exciting projects due to be
shipped this year,” said Holland.