Textile specialist diversifies – and grows

THE PAST few months have seen good growth figures on the Far East route for forwarding specialist Expolanka. Imports have grown 20-25% since May while exports have recorded 25-30% growth over the past three months, says regional sales manager for Africa, Kirsten Naidoo. The company focuses specifically on the textile industry, importing raw materials from the Far East, delivering them to factories in Africa and then exporting the final finished products to the USA. With its own offices in Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Rwanda, Uganda, Ghana and South Africa, its service network extends throughout the region. Expolanka South Africa, for example, services Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Swaziland and Lesotho. But changing trends in the textile industry have encouraged a move to diversification and exports of raw materials into the Far East are now a growing part of the business – from copper and minerals to cotton, fertilizers and chemicals. Escalating volumes are however putting the squeeze on capacity, and that applies to sea and air as customers battle to meet deadlines. “Airlines anticipate a GRI (general rates increase) because of the demand for space,” says Naidoo, while shipping capacity is also at a premium as the festive season rush gets into full swing. And expect more of the same in the year ahead, says Naidoo who is optimistic about continued growth.