New year expected to see freightdynamics’ BEE partner coming on board

Leonard Neill
RULE OUT the impression that freightdynamics is the road leg of Spoornet, and is merely there to assist it in times of need when the rail provider cannot meet a commitment.
“We are definitely not Spoornet’s road leg,” says chief executive Thandeka Mgoduso. “Instead we are a business partner and serve a special need in the transport industry. We certainly don’t jump in where there is a crisis in the rail service and try to help out.
“Instead we collaborate with Spoornet, hold high level meetings with them, but do not try to compete in any way. Rather than accept ad hoc bookings, we prefer to work with a solid customer base, dealing with contracted business. In this way we can offer a meaningful service to our clients.”
Four major sectors form the freightdynamics target, the carrying of refrigerated items, bulk fuel, tautliners (the A-frame style carriers carrying mainly liquid products) and containers.
The BLNS nations (Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland) are served regularly, while Mozambique is now entering the scene more regularly, with a dedicated weekly bonded service to Maputo now on schedule, says Mgoduso.
The road carrier, formed from a combination of Spoornet cartage, Portnet Road Transport and Autonet Freight almost three years ago, has embraced the transformation process well during the short period of its existence, she says.
“Change always brings uncertainties. We’ve experienced our share of them, but I am satisfied that we are now settling into a successful service, and that service is definitely improving by the month.
“You can look at our success in the Durban port as a good example. Dealing with the container side of the business is not always easy, especially when shipping lines have their own landside facilities. But we have found that by moving into a closer relationship with them and forming alliances, we can move boxes from the congested port to a staging facility where we can provide our clients with a quicker turnaround on deliveries.
“In other parts of the country we are seeing new optimism and enthusiasm both in our workforce and in the forwarding industry’s attitude towards us. Both the Western and Eastern Cape are performing well. In all sectors of the country the customer is our central focus. This has meant a good shop floor relationship has developed, but we are ever conscious of the fact that we have to keep an eye on that type of relationship to keep ahead of the pack.”
Next year should see a BEE equity partner coming on board, said Mgoduso, a process that is gaining momentum at present.