‘Service beyond reproach’ is the objective at FPT

RAY SMUTS
AS FRESH Produce Terminals reflects on its co-ordinating role in a highly successful US and Japan citrus export programme, new Cape Town terminal manager Gerrit Laubscher is adamant that quality is all that will set the Mother City port apart from its competitors.
Laubscher, a fruit industry veteran and former MD of Estivar. FPT’s stevedoring subsidiary, goes so far as to say that to his mind each and every pallet handled in Cape Town should be regarded as a “steri” pallet.
Out to ensure FPT offers its customers a service beyond reproach, he explains that the striving for quality service is fundamentally based on the now firmly entrenched Zero Defect Control (ZDC) pioneered by Seatrade and its South African partner Anlin Shipping, and since adopted by a number of other specialised reefer service lines.
Scrutinising a sector of the deciduous market, Michael Paulse, FPT marketing manager in Cape Town, says early grapes are moderately down on expectation but that the company has
captured at least 90% of the Upington/Orange River region’s market.
“This was achieved through the
co-ordination and constant dissemination of timely information with many role players and resulted in us gaining several new customers
in the process.”
For the remainder of the deciduous season FPT Cape Town will target the pome market
(apples and pears) which was previously dominated by the container industry.