“We aim not to be a typical transporter,” says Dries Oberholzer, managing director of In Touch Cargo Namibia (ITC).
“A large complement of our senior management comes from a systems-driven background, and this is reflected in the fact that ITC is ISO 9001 accredited, and our management philosophy is based on the principles of ISO 9004,” he says.
“We do not accept the status quo. Our focus is on continuous improvement all round and ensuring our business is integrated with our customers, suppliers, regulatory bodies and the community at large,” he says.
Oberholzer comes from a career spanning 13 years with shipping giant Maersk Line. During his tenure he filled positions such as managing director of Maersk Zimbabwe, overseeing Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia and Maersk Namibia.
He says the experience gained while running liner operations extends beyond the understanding of the importance of systems. The management team has a combined 20 years’ experience in liner shipping and container depot operations. ITC has a 15 000-sqm paved Maersk-approved container yard in Walvis Bay, with a 45-ton reach stacker on site.
All containers are tracked through an internationally accepted depot system that fully integrates with EDI into any liner shipping systems. “The combination of being both transporter and depot operator really allows for greater efficiencies and improved customer service, especially in the local cross-haul and national sector,” he says.
The yard is also used for storing both bonded and unbonded breakbulk. There is a range of forklifts available for the handling of the loads. “With 2 000 sqm of secured under-roof storage we can accommodate most requests, both for bonded and non-bonded cargoes,” he says.
In addition to its shorthaul operations, ITC has a fleet of 40 vehicles that operates between Namibia, Botswana and South Africa. It is also planning to service the Zambian and Zimbabwean routes “in the not too distant future”.
The company can handle all types of loads. “All our trucks and trailers are registered for the transportation of hazardous materials as prescribed by the regulatory bodies in the countries in which we operate. “Our drivers undergo training with a certified institution to ensure the maximum safety and security to cargo and vehicles, but also very importantly to staff, the general public and our environment,” he says.
ITC offers consolidations, part and full loads loads five days a week between its depots in Johannesburg and Walvis Bay. Cargo can be collected from senders or delivered to the depots five days a week and with a fully integrated cargo management system they can keep customers updated on cargo whereabouts twice a day.
“This enables customers with smaller transport requirements to move their cargo just as efficiently as any other full truck load,” he says. ITC deconsolidates and distributes the cargo on arrival.
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The combination of being both transporter and depot operator really allows for greater efficiencies. – Dries Oberholzer
