Vehicle transport specialist builds on Africa expertise

A decision to build on its expertise in the movement of vehicles in South and Southern Africa through new business ventures has paid handsome dividends for Onelogix – a JSE-listed company with an intrinsic understanding of the social, economic and legal environment in the region. “In our DNA we have the capability of understanding how to go through border posts and how to manage business in southern Africa,” says chief executive officer Ian Lourens. This has been applied with pleasing results in its Vehicle Delivery Services (VDS) division which moves vehicles for OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) in and around South and southern Africa and has offices and a fully-fledged depot in Harare as well as an office in Lusaka. “On the basis of that skill the company recently acquired abnormal load specialist RFB Logistics and commercial vehicle delivery service CVDS and is making them operative in Africa as well,” said Lourens. “We have the skill to move through the border very quickly. We intrinsically understand how to speak to customers. We know how to get fuel – which is a big problem – and how to get it at the right price.” It’s now a year since the purchase of RFB Logistics, and the philosophy is paying off. “One of the reasons it was attractive to purchase RFB was because we could take that business that was only operative in South Africa and expand it to the rest of Africa. “Abnormal load businesses deal with the infrastructural sector. Our view is that southern Africa will become a big market in due course and we see this as a nice positioning for ourselves” “It was a very good business to begin with and in addition to the natural organic growth we have managed to bring on additional business in southern Africa – effectively it’s been a double kicker.” And that’s what they’re looking to do with CVDS – a commercial vehicle delivery service for trucks larger than 3.5 tons. “Mercedes, Toyota and Volvo are our big customers – and based on the service we were providing in other vehicle delivery sectors they pushed for an expansion of our service portfolio.” And it’s clearly related to service quality – which is carefully monitored. “For the past four to five years we have without fail achieved top marks from all our OEMs.” And part of that is staff buy-in, says Lourens, with driver remuneration a good example. “All our drivers are trained in South Africa and they are paid better than the market rate. In addition to their basic they get paid an incentive for on time delivery, paperwork in good order and so on. “If they score well they get a good bonus so they’re working with us to get those good scores.” A simple business philosophy that is clearly working to the benefit of all.