September this year will mark the 50th anniversary of cross-border logistics major, Namibia’s FP du Toit Transport Group.
The company has diversified its services and adapted to the political and economic changes over the years – and continues to transform itself, says chief executive officer Stephan Terblanche.
Launched as a dedicated trucking company, FP du Toit has added Pro Parcel Distribution, which handles part loads, and Jet-X Couriers, which is the largest privately owned courier company in Namibia.
In 2015 FP du Toit bought Walvis Baybased Wesbank Transport, which specialises in supporting the mining industry, catering for out of gauge loads and project cargo.
One of the reasons for the success of the business has been the good relationship the founder Willie du Toit has had with his staff, says Terblanche.
Several generations of the Transport major celebrates a half century in logistics TransNamib will be looking at its own bottom line when considering public private partnerships (PPPs), says chief executive officer Johny Smith.
He says there are a number of examples in the region of how not to semi-privatise or privatise rail operations. Both the rail utility and the private operator should profit from the partnership, he believes. “Where we identify an opportunity, we will first ask ourselves why we aren’t making money out of it, and will see if we can develop the necessary capacity internally.”
Only if TransNamib cannot deliver the service itself, or if a private company comes with a win-win proposition, does it make business sense to enter into an agreement, believes Smith.
TransNamib reveals privatisation stance same family have worked for the company. There are currently three generations of certain families working for FP du Toit.
Most are drivers for the company, which takes pride in the training and support it gives its drivers, says Terblanche. “We don’t allow our drivers to speed, and insist that they take a rest every 200 kilometres. We understand that they have families waiting for them back at home and we want them to arrive safely.”
The courier trucks carry co-drivers which means they can drive through the night and day. Employees are also being inducted into management through an affirmative action programme, which includes monthly meetings between shop stewards and the FP du Toit Affirmative Action committee.
The succession plan sees retirees staying on as mentors for new managers in order to pass on institutional knowledge. Terblanche’s job since taking over the reins has included some difficult decisions – such as retrenching staff – in order to eliminate duplication between the FP du Toit and Wesbank operations and changing the Pro Parcel business model.
“We helped a number of the retrenched staff to find new jobs, and Pro Parcel is now on target,” he says. The trucking operation has also diversified and beefed up its operations on the Walvis Bay Corridors, while continuing to replace vehicles every 600 000 kilometres or three years. It offers a number of specialist services.
“We are the only company in Namibia licensed to carry uranium cake,” says Terblanche
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"We don't allow our drivers to speed, and insist that they take a rest every 200 kilometres. – Stephan Terblanche
