Van Zyl buys Aviocean

Developing Far East markets
JOY ORLEK
CLEARING AND forwarding company Aviocean has a new owner. In a deal which took effect on June 1 managing director Lance van Zyl bought the company from Mark Courtney who has emigrated to Australia. An exclusive worldwide agency deal has been signed with Gondrand, while Concordia will represent the company in the US. Established 17 years ago, Aviocean offers air and seafreight services for imports and exports and will be aggressively targeting the Far East market. “Business from the Far East has grown 200% in the past year and a half,” says Van Zyl, “and it’s an area on which we will continue to focus strongly.” A recent innovation that is already paying dividends is the introduction of a key account division. “The name is self-explanatory and we’ve taken some good blue chip accounts on board. “We’ve also recently become involved in the wine business and would like to expand this further with dedicated staff who specialise in wine exports,” he said. The company’s national network includes offices in Durban and Cape Town.