‘One-stop’ inland port offers full turnkey operation

Thirty five years since its
launch, Storage Solutions is
planning further upgrades
to its extensive warehousing
and handling facility
as growing volumes –
particularly in the industrial
and project cargo sector –
create new opportunities.
“At Storage Solutions
there are no limits to what
we can handle,” says MD
Byron Nieuwstad, who
describes the facility as a
one-stop inland port, capable
of offering a full turnkey
operation – from destuffing/
packing and handling of
containers, project and
mining cargo to shortmedium-
and long-term
storage.
Based on a 10 hectare
stand with 11 000 sqm of
storage under crane, the
facility is situated on the
R23 Benoni Road, 7km off
the Durban-Johannesburg
highway and in close
proximity to the East Rand
industrial hub.
“The location was
carefully chosen away from
congested centres, which
saves time and ultimately
money for our customers,”
said Group CEO Bill
Nieuwstad.
And with a combined 55
years of experience in the
field, the Nieuwstads believe
they have what it takes to
handle the multi-million
rand cargo that is regularly
entrusted to their care.
“Importers, exporters,
forwarding agents and
truckers are constantly
faced with port closures,
detention, demurrage, stack
dates and down-time,” says
Bill. “We provide a one-stop
service to them and have the
infrastructure and hardware
in the form of cranes,
forklifts and storage areas
to cater for every variety of
cargo.”
The company deals largely
with heavy industrial goods
and containerised cargo.
“We can accommodate
pieces up to 200 tons in the
outside yard and 25t under
roof,” says Bill.
The facility has plugged
into the logistics challenges
faced by the industry, he
added.
“If there are delays at the
port, for example, which is
a frequent occurrence, we
offer the client an in-transit
facility so that he can
continue to manufacture his
products while we provide
the necessary storage.”
And while a trucking
service is on offer as a
value-added option for its
clients, the company’s core
focus is on storage and
handling, said Byron, who
has seen huge growth in
the industry in the recent
past. “But there’s also a
huge lack of facilities and
infrastructure to cope with
the size and volume of
cargo requiring storage and
handling.”
In terms of security,
a 24-hour armed guard
ensures the safety of all
valuable cargo entrusted to
the company’s care.
“We have the expertise,
the infrastructure and the
know-how to deal with
any project that comes our
way – and we have our own
shipping department to
follow up with shipping
lines and transporters so
that the customer has a
handle on the entire logistics
process at all times.”