Perishable specialist diversifies into general cargo market

The strategy at Lonrho Logistics
(previously Grindrod PCA) is
to continue to focus on its core
business of perishable cargo and
expand its footprint in the general
cargo market, says CEO Mike Froy.
“Perishables are seasonal and we
need a better spread of business,
particularly during the quiet
perishable months.”
With the company having
recently joined the Lonrho group,
the new neutral branding allows
it to open a different set of doors
that will facilitate new growth,
according to Jonathan Broodryk,
national sales manager for Lonrho
Logistics.
“It makes economic sense to
diversify in these times where
the markets are volatile and
unpredictable. It also reduces the
risk offering when one is operating
across markets rather than focusing
on only one aspect of business.”
The company has established
an agency network across the
globe that will further strengthen
its general cargo capabilities, said
Froy.
He believes being able to offer
exporters and importers a complete
freight forwarding and logistics
management solution is key for
success in the current economic
climate.
“The company has amassed in
excess of 50 years of cold chain
management experience and was
the number one Iata forwarding
agent in South Africa until statistics
were no longer published by Iata in
2004,” he said.
“We are also strategically
positioned at all major airports so
we can move cargo in and out very
efficiently and quickly. This applies
equally to perishables and general
cargo
“We see the purchase of
Grindrod PCA by the Lonrho
Group as an ideal opportunity
to grow the freight forwarding
business due to the huge footprint
that Lonrho has in Africa. Their
credo of investing in the growth
of Africa certainly offers many
opportunities,” he added.