UCD streamlines City Deep operations

In an effort to address bottlenecks often experienced at ports and terminals, United Container Depot (UCD) has taken several steps to streamline its own operations at City Deep in Johannesburg. According to Miguel Angel Tordesillas, group chief executive officer of Novagroup South Africa, of which UCD is a division, the container industry is renowned for its bottlenecks and hold-ups in the supply chain. “Ports and terminals are possibly the area where the biggest problems occur. We see depots as our mini-terminals and they play an important part in the supply chain,” he said. “It is for this reason that we have put much effort into improving our efficiency by upgrading our infrastructure to ensure a faster and more cost-effective service to clients.” UCD has contracted an additional seven-high empty container handlers from Linde to be delivered in January 2012 to assist with the demand. The company has also added an entrance gate to speed up the turnaround time of trucks at the depot and increased its range of services by adding a 45-ton reach stacker. Tordesillas said the company aptly named this reach stacker Nkunz Malanga (meaning the big one in Zulu). It will allow them to stack containers five high in the depot. “This will expedite truck entries and exits,” he told FTW. Operating hours have also been extended by four hours a day on weekdays and the depot will now also be open on Saturday mornings, allowing UCD to add an extra shift. More lighting and extra security will support this move. According to Tordesillas the company, with specialist expertise in reefer containers, is also extending this experience to the Gauteng region where an approved warranty service centre will be established. “It really comes down to improving efficiency and being able to offer a more cost-effective service,” he said.