The SA Association of Freight Forwarders (Saaff) has been busy reorganising its structure and sharpening up its services to the freight industry. “Don’t say ‘restructuring’,” David Logan, Saaff CEO told FTW, “because that usually implies a lot of retrenchments.” But the reorganisation process has been exactly the opposite. “Saaff is in the process of looking for a key portfolio manager with responsibility for SA Revenue Service (Sars) customs matters and communication with its members via its website,” Logan added. “We now have four consultants with whom we are engaging on a project basis. This move is as per our strategy that was agreed to in 2009. “The bottom line really is to manage and operate Saaff as a nonprofit business for the benefit of our members.” According to another FTW source at Saaff, the new single constitution which was adopted in March last year has tightened up what was previously a rather loose-knit structure. “Before, we had certain strong regional organisations relating rather loosely to the national board,” he added. “But now everything has been streamlined and centralised. “Along with that, the association has focused on a number of key strategic objectives, one of which is for the body to take a more positive and proactive approach to training issues – where, for example, we intend to establish an approved Fiata Training Centre. “All this should add a keen edge to our powers as an industry body in engaging with the authorities.” INSERT ‘Plans in place to establish an approved Fiata Traning Centre.’
