Complex supply chain solutions build capability JOY ORLEK Page 1 “Safcor Panalpina is a strong brand in South Africa, Panalpina is a global giant, and we’re a proudly Bidvest company,” managing director Pete Williams told guests at a glittering function in Johannesburg last week to launch the new image. “These are the strong brand elements that will take us forward on our journey in supply chain management and consultancy, incorporating system integration, customs clearing, forwarding, logistics and financial services.” The launch of the new brand coincides with the opening last Monday of a10 000 square metre logistics facility at Johannesburg International Airport jointly developed with Siemens Southern Africa. “Supply chain is not an off-the-shelf solution,” chairman Philip Womersley told FTW. “It’s always highly customised. “Siemens is a good example of what we are doing for our key customer base in terms of our extended offering. Siemens will be occupying 60% of this new facility, while Hewlett Packard and other high tech customers will occupy the balance. It will be a genuine logistics facility, offering a far broader supply chain solution.” Womersley says congestion at the formal airline bond stores, coupled with ongoing theft and pilferage, contributed to the decision to build the facility. “We can now move the un-cleared airfreight in consolidated container loads straight to this bonded facility which is in fact regarded as an airline store. The logistics facility is a mirror image and an extension of the service provided by Safcor Panalpina’s global partner, Panalpina World Transport Group. The hub at Luxembourg, operated by Panalpina, provides a seamless operation with a dedicated trucking network, a consolidation facility and an intercontinental charter out of the Americas and the Far East, says Panalpina chairman Gerard Fischer. Complex supply chain systems managed at this level allow our multi-national customers to concentrate on marketing and selling their products without even seeing the stock, says Womersley. “As a company we have targeted the most complex and demanding solutions because performing against very difficult standards builds capability and attracts customers.” This development does not however mean that Safcor Panalpina is moving away from small to mid-range customers. “Smaller accounts still make up 70% of our business and every supply chain venture builds capability that will ultimately be rolled out to benefit every customer,” says sales and marketing director Bruce Thoresson.
