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.