Trucking company roars into life

Relative newcomer to the Zambian trucking sector, Alliance Stream is set to grow and consoidate its market share through the purchase of 50 new Iveco truck tractors. “With the support of Iveco’s network of workshops we are able to provide services to the whole Southern African Development Community,” Alliance Stream director Deon Cato told FTW. The company was initially established in Zambia as both a trucking and warehousing operation. However it has decided to focus its resources on trucking and has outsourced the management of the Alliance Stream warehouses in Ndola. Reliability is a cornerstone of the business, says Cato, with carefully chosen drivers and investment in reliable equipment playing an important role. “Drivers are selected through a meticulous screening process, which includes testing of their skills,” said Cato. “Before being put behind the wheel, they are given specific training by Iveco SA, as well as training related to the transport of hazardous cargo. They are treated as professionals and are assigned their own trucks with their names on the door. “We also pay top wages. And as a result our driver turnover is very low and we have had only one serious accident in two years,” he said. Keeping trucks and trailers roadworthy is also top priority as is a strict no-overloading policy. “We load only up to the legal and design limit,” he added. INSERT & CAPTION With the support of Iveco’s network of workshops we are able to provide services to the whole Southern African Development Community. – Deon Cato