The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport: South Africa (Ciltsa) and BBOpEx Solutions have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to advance the logistics, transport and supply chain industries.
The MoU marks the start of a partnership that will see the organisations collaborating on education, training and capability development with a special emphasis on empowering youth and women.
Ciltsa President Elvin Harris and BBOpEx Founder Glenda Maitin, recently signed the agreement, which outlines a shared commitment to fostering operational excellence, unlocking supply chain capacity and driving sustainable growth in the industry.
According to Ciltsa and BBOpEx, the objectives of the MoU include identifying opportunities and collaborating on projects that benefit the logistics, transport, and supply chain industries; unlocking and developing supply chain capacity and capabilities; and promoting the inclusion and development of youth and women in the industry.
The organisations will work together to run joint seminars, workshops and professional development programmes, and to identify mentorship opportunities to achieve these objectives.
Harris said the partnership would create programmes to enhance career development and grow the industry.
“This collaboration with BBOpEx Solutions represents a significant step forward in our mission to improve industry practices and nurture talent in the logistics, transport and supply chain sectors,” he said.
“By combining our expertise and resources, we can create impactful programmes that empower individuals, particularly women and youth, to thrive in their careers and contribute to the growth of our industry. We are excited about the opportunities this partnership will bring.”
Maitin said the organisations’ goals were aligned to achieve the objectives.
“At BBOpEx Solutions, we are passionate about driving operational excellence and fostering sustainable growth. Partnering with Ciltsa allows us to expand our reach and impact, particularly in empowering the next generation of leaders in logistics, transport and supply chain. Together, we can unlock new opportunities for individuals and organisations, and we look forward to a fruitful collaboration.”
Brian Fredericks, newly appointed CEO of BBOpEx Solutions, emphasised the strategic importance of the partnership.
"This collaboration between Ciltsa and BBOpEx Solutions comes at a crucial time when South Africa's logistics and transport sectors are facing unprecedented challenges and opportunities.
“Our data shows that by 2025, we'll need at least 15 000 more skilled professionals in these sectors. Through this partnership, we're not just addressing the skills gap – we're creating a sustainable pipeline of talent that will drive innovation and excellence in the industry.
"What makes this partnership particularly exciting is our shared commitment to digital transformation and sustainability. We've identified that organisations implementing integrated logistics and transport solutions are seeing up to 30% improvement in operational efficiency,” he said.
Ciltsa is a leading professional body with a global network of more than 35 000 members in 35 countries. It was founded in 1919.
BBOpEx Solutions specialises in business solutions, capability development and community engagement and brings its expertise in strategic planning, supply chain management, leadership development and social impact initiatives to the partnership.
Both organisations have committed resources to support the collaboration, including volunteering, access to facilities, and participation in joint events. BBOpEx will provide a platform for CILTSA to share its value proposition with stakeholders, while CILTSA will offer BBOpEx staff and student members access to its membership benefits and facilities.
The MoU will remain in effect for three years, with both parties committed to maintaining open communication and confidentiality throughout the collaboration.
