Shippers can now reliably reach the farthest corners of Namibia through the synchronisation of three different services provided by the FP du Toit Transport group. FP du Toit Transport, ProParcel Distribution and Jet.X Couriers provide complementary services that are fully integrated through the company’s information system, says Willie du Toit, managing director of FP du Toit Transport. The 45-year-old company signalled its entry into the highspeed electronic age with a new look and the first brand refresh in its history. There is also a different approach to the business, with a younger team at the helm. “I am now surrounded by young techies who understand the technology. They have even upgraded me to a Smartphone,” says Du Toit with a smile. With the help of the integrated information system, the team has broken down any silos that may have existed, and is leveraging the strengths of the different services in order to offer better service and to reach into most of the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC) countries, according to Du Toit. An example of the integration is Jet.X courier parcels being transported on ProParcel trucks, which deliver fast-moving consumer goods and other products to destinations across Namibia. Freight out of South Africa reaches the Windhoek hub on longhaul trucks operated under the FP du Toit banner from warehouses in Cape Town, Gauteng, Durban and Johannesburg. Freight arrives in Windhoek within two and a half days out of Johannesburg, and is then delivered to remote locations in Namibia within another three and a half working days. Windhoek delivery is often the same day as the freight arrives. Jet.X also provides an airfreight service. Clients benefit from the costeffective utilisation of the fleet, says Du Toit. “Volumes within Namibia do not justify running dedicated road or airfreight courier services between the different cities. “But space can be found on the ProParcel trucks which run between Windhoek and Keetmanshoop, Walvis Bay, Grootfontein, Rundu and Oshakati on a daily basis. “With two drivers on board the vehicles travel non-stop.” The courier business is mainly driven by the transport of legal documents and pharmaceuticals, which are carried in insulated containers. CAPTION Willie du Toit … fully integrated services.
