New logistics major enters SA market

The launch this month in
South Africa of FedEx
Trade Networks, the freight
forwarding arm of global
shipping major FedEx
Corp, is seen as the first
step in the company’s
Africa growth strategy.
Headed up by country
manager Pete Williams, the
Croydon-based operation
comprises a five-person
staff complement with
Level 4 BEE status.
According to US-based
president and CEO of
FedEx Trade Networks,
Fred Schardt, South Africa
is seen as the logical next
step in the company’s
global expansion initiative,
which began in 2008.
“Our first step is South
Africa,” Schardt told
FTW, “and we’ll continue
to develop in other cities
in South Africa, but the
second step is to see this
as a gateway for the rest of
sub-Saharan Africa.
“Initially we’ll set up
an agency network, and
based on performance and
stability, where there’s
opportunity and customer
need we’ll make
further decisions.”
While FedEx Trade
Networks operates as
a totally autonomous
entity within the group,
Schardt believes that brand
awareness created by the
likes of FedEx Express,
will offer positive benefits
to the fledgling company.
“Our strengths are our
global reach and brand,
with FedEx voted one
of the top 20 brands by
Fortune magazine,”
said Schardt.
The company focuses
on consumer goods, retail,
aerospace, healthcare,
automotive and electronics,
offering intermodal supply
chain solutions from
point of origin to final
destination. And drawing
on the resources of sister
companies within
the group, it’s a one-
FedEx solution, says
Schardt, which makes
the difference.