New man heads up Grindrod Intermodal

GRINDROD INTERMODAL emerged this year as a onestop service provider for the movement of containerised cargo in Southern Africa, a development made possible by consolidating three businesses within the Grindrod Group – Cross Country Containers, CMC Grindrod and Grindrod J&J. “The consolidation of the three businesses was bedded down fairly quickly, without too many major disruptions,” said Richard Foulds, managing director Grindrod Intermodal. Foulds, who co-founded Cross Country Containers in 1988 with the late Grant Wells, says the business has changed over the years. When first established Cross Country Containers marketed themselves as the first independent rail operator and as business grew it expanded with a container depot and warehouse operation known as CMC. This was later merged with Grindrod Container Services to become CMC Grindrod. Today Grindrod Intermodal has 500 000 m2 of depot and warehouse space and R90m worth of handling equipment. Foulds, who is retiring at the end of 2007, said he was proud of what had been achieved. Jan Nair, who has been closely involved in the consolidation, will take over as MD of Grindrod Intermodal. He added that Unitainer, another business within the Grindrod Group, was to be consolidated within Grindrod Intermodal. “Unitainer’s container depots will complement the existing depots and the container trading area of the business provides synergies and added value for clients. “Michael Fry, the current general manager of Unitainer, will continue running this business and will be appointed a director of Grindrod Intermodal.” Nair, who has been in the industry for 30 years and with Cross Country Containers for the last 10, said he was excited by Grindrod Intermodal’s future prospects. Grindrod has made significant investments in infrastructure development and terminals specifically in Maputo and Richards Bay. “There is obviously going to be an opportunity for Grindrod Intermodal to expand its operations into these areas,” he said.