Interlogix is literally standing out in the Walvis Bay industrial area as workers put the finishing touches to what is currently the tallest building in the area. Space is already being booked up with the company due to take occupation in mid-year, according to Jason Fourie, director of Interlogix Namibia. “There is a big demand for warehousing in Walvis Bay,” he says. Space in the 3 000-sqm warehouse is being optimised through the addition of racking. The facility, purpose-built on a 4 000- sqm site, will be one of the biggest and most modern warehouses in Walvis Bay. Trucks will be loaded and unloaded through dock levellers, with a separate entrance for trucks to bring in extra heavy cargo on flatbed trailers. “We are already handling machinery that weighs up to 45 tons in our temporary facility, and with our new warehouse we will be able to handle more,” says Fourie. The new warehouse will have a secure bonded area, ablution blocks for drivers and three separate office areas in addition to a ground floor administration counter. “We will be able to store and handle copper in the new facility,” he says. Provision has been made for offices for partner suppliers in the clearing and forwarding and transport sectors. Fourie says Interlogix has worked with Namibian companies and suppliers as far as possible, in order to make the point that the company is in Namibia to stay and make a contribution. Fourie is confident that Interlogix has made the right decision to invest in Walvis Bay, which is being recognised as an alternative to Durban for inland cargo. “Take Zambia, for example. Walvis Bay is 200 kilometres closer than Durban, and there is only one border post. “There are tremendous synergies with our South African operation. Customers are looking at both ports, and we are able to provide support for the transport of goods from both Durban to Zambia and Walvis Bay to Zambia,” he says.
