SACD expands warehouse ahead of expected upturn

Despite a global recession that saw the mining industry severely affected, SACD is expanding its warehouse to handle more products from the north of South Africa’s borders. According to Dennis Trotter, SACD regional director, the decision was taken despite the recession as all expectations are that 2010 will be a good year. “The warehouse will be fully operational from January 2010. It has been a tough year, but by applying good management strategies to deal with cost controls we are able to expand and that means we will be around to take on the challenges of the future and the expected growth in Africa.” SACD Gauteng has handled Africa export cargo for many years. Initially the company focused on agricultural products, but made a successful switch to predominantly mineral products because this was not a seasonal commodity affected by the weather. “The recession has been a challenge as the commodity prices collapsed and cargo stopped moving. The only consolation was that the warehouse has been full – waiting for the prices to recover,” says Trotter. “At the moment everything is going out quicker than it is arriving, partly due to some mines that have closed down and also an apparent shortage of vehicles on the routes we serve. But the good news for us is that things are moving again and we expect to be back to normal in the next six months.”