Six years on JTR gears up for growth

From a desk in a container to an upmarket office block in Sunningdale, Durban, JTR Freight Services has come a long way in the past six years. According to managing director Thaven Naidoo, it was a big decision for him and his wife Jenny to start their own business, but with more than 20 years’ experience in the freight industry he took a leap of faith and has never looked back. “Initially it was just me and one employee. We worked out of a container with just a desk. We only had one client,” he said. “But hard work, commitment and dedication paid off because we are now a name in the industry.” Jenny has also since come on board and manages the finances alongside her husband. “Durban is not an easy market to penetrate but we have managed to sign some good clients and have built relationships with them over the years. Initially it was all about keeping our heads above water, but we have managed to expand and grow,” he told FTW. According to Wentzel Parasuramen, the first person to be employed by Naidoo at JTR Freight Services, the first years were challenging. “But I think we always knew that we would make it. There was never a doubt that we had the ability, the experience and the will. It is nice now to reflect over the past six years and see how far we have come.” Rajen Naidoo, also a long-time staffer and one of the first people employed in the company, agreed. He says the small intimate working environment has played a major role in the company’s success. “We are only five employees, but because the set-up is so intimate we are all involved in the success of the company – a benefit to one is a benefit to all.” According to Naidoo they are now geared towards further growth. “We are actively growing our client base with a major focus on sales. We will also be expanding our staff complement to ensure we can service our clients properly.” Naidoo said a growth strategy had been drafted and was being implemented.