Supply chain management makes the difference

SAFCOR PANALPINA remains bullish about the future of the Eastern Cape. “We are confident that the region is fast becoming the “automotive export hub” of South Africa as global players like Volkswagen, DaimlerChrysler and now General Motors pursue their various export programmes,” says regional director, Dieter Rothman. According to Rothman, the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have sustained their export programmes, and the component manufacturers who were affected to a greater extent by a significantly stronger rand have been able to maintain their competitiveness in the global arena as well. The ripple effects however have been felt within the region with several component manufacturers being forced to review their processes and efficiencies in order to sustain their respective export programmes. This has placed greater importance on the effective management of the supply chain with supply chain costs often comprising as much as 20% of operating costs, says Rothman. Greater co-operation and communication between all the logistical players is therefore needed to ensure that the growing volumes keep moving. “A key factor of Safcor Panalpina’s success has been the continued systems integration between all parties allowing for the faster processing of information, ultimately resulting in the efficient movement of cargo on time, in full, with no errors,” he said. Many of these solutions have been customised to meet the unique and varied requirements of its customers. “But technology is only an enabler assisting with the delivery of the product. Having the right people is critical,” he said. “Given the significance of the development in the region of the Port of Ngqura and the many detractors, we now have a port in an advanced stage of construction and we are confident that it is only a matter of time before the first anchor tenants are secured in the IDZ. “Ngqura is a port of the future and will certainly only come into its own in the years ahead. The infrastructural planning has been progressive in that the port and the surrounding IDZ will be able to sustain considerable growth for many years without having the negative spin-offs facing other ports such as limited land availability, rail and road links and most notably the ability to accommodate the new generation container vessels.”