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.