New risk management major offers ‘one-stop’ shop

In a move designed to add muscle and diversity to its risk management offering, November 1 saw the merger of Combined Private Investigations and Leopard to create CPI Risk Management Solutions. “There are strategic advantages for our collective clients,” says director Roy Robertson, “with the merged entity providing intelligencedriven solutions through CPI and technologydriven solutions through Leopard. This in addition to an improved BEE scorecard rating, stronger financial muscle as well as rationalised infrastructure.” CPI was founded by Robertson in 2003, focusing on the investigation and prevention of the theft of copper and non-ferrous metals. “Since then it has grown into a BEE compliant company with partner Tshepo Malakoane a director,” says Robertson. It currently employs more than 550 staff members with branches across South Africa. Its fleet comprises more than 100 vehicles with its own fully equipped police-type helicopter. According to Robertson, the company has achieved a 90% conviction rate of copper thieves, overseeing all court cases as a watching brief. Leopard was established last year as a separate entity under the CPI banner to focus on transit risk management. “CPI has in the past provided hijack recovery and air and ground support services to Leopard,” Leopard’s Tiaan Smith told FTW. “The merger was therefore a logical development given the synergy between the two companies,” he said. “We will still function as a business unit within CPI, operating as Risk Management Solutions.” Leopard has developed its own container tracking lock devices which have achieved significant success in the containerised cargo market, says Smith. The new company has a national network comprising nine offices and will be targeting shippers, hauliers and the freight forwarding community, offering what is effectively a ‘one-stop risk management shop’.