Volatile rand poses biggest challenge to exporters

Successful exporting is all about having the correct company culture and approach to exporting, says Paul Chappel, export sales manager of Pilot Crushtec. “Having the correct product at the correct price and being able to compete on the world stage, is just as important.” Pilot Crushtec, a supplier of mobile and semi-mobile crushing, screening and materials handling solutions, is involved in industries ranging from coal, diamonds and gold to aggregate and sand quarrying. With an annual turnover exceeding R440 million, its products are marketed and available in more than 30 countries. According to Chappel, the economic downturn has influenced the company’ s international sales, due to the type of products it exports, but the biggest challenge of late for exporters in the commodity market has been the volatility of the South African rand. “It did affect the company’s profitability as well as the competitive pricing of the products we market to the world. What seems cheap or well priced today can become expensive in a very short space of time. “To overcome the currency fluctuations is completely out of our control and something we cannot change,” says Chappel. Despite this, South African exporters can hold their heads high when they venture out into the global market place. “We do not need to stand back to anyone – our products are as good and our prices are competitive. South African exporters are right there on the world stage.”