Arend du Preez has taken over as managing director of South African Express Line (SAEL), part of the Bollore Africa Logistics stable. A lawyer by profession, and a practising attorney before joining SAA as a legal adviser, he previously headed up Kintetsu World Express. The immediate focus, said Du Preez, will be to establish SAEL/Bollore Africa Logistics as industry leaders in the South African domestic market. “We are by far the number one in Africa but we don’t have the market share in South Africa that goes hand in hand with this status.” Du Preez will embark on an aggressive brand awareness drive to demonstrate the company’s diversified dominance. “We run ports, railways and corridors with 520 offices in 90 countries worldwide, including 46 in Africa. The company employs 35 000 people worldwide. “The big problem with Africa is the different service levels,” says Du Preez. “We will strive for the Macdonalds principle – that the same hamburger will taste the same all over the world. Our service to our customers must be of the same high standard. “If we can get that right in Africa and if you integrate that with our global network – it makes us even more of a force to be reckoned with. “Domestic companies are looking for growth in Africa because our economy is under pressure. Everyone is selling Africa, but few have the experience, the muscular infrastructure and resources that Bollore is able to provide.” INSERT We will strive for the Macdonalds principle − that the same hamburger will taste the same all over the world. CAPTION Tony Stenning (Bollore Africa Logistics) and Arend du Preez (SAEL) ... driving growth. Photo: Shannon Van Zyl
