Reporting tools drive down costs

MOVING 29 dump trucks to the Lumwama copper mine in Zambia demands a lot more than expertise in the handling of large projects. “This enormous task could not be accomplished without our local knowledge,” says Gerald Povey, MD of the mining division of UTi, the primary logistics provider for the project. “The trucks are imported from the US and each is broken down into key parts that are then transported by road as abnormal loads by horse and trailer from the coast. “We offer Lumwana a complete end-to-end solution,” Povey told FTW. With a focus in Africa on project cargo for the mining industry, Ghana – where the company is represented by Allship Logistics - has also provided lucrative opportunities. “We have had a relationship with the mines there for the past 15 years, with a footprint in Takoradi, Tema and Accra,” he said. “Our mining and project division was launched in 199 4 and has grown exponentially," says Povey. He believes that eMpower, UTi’s global information technology that monitors daily progress of all cargo movements in real-time, is a crucial element of the mix. “Our reporting tools provide measurement and analysis of complex data at the touch of a button, helping supply chain professionals to drive down costs and optimise efficiencies.”