Woker Freight appoints mining specialist

Woker Freight Services Namibia has appointed an experienced mining specialist in order to raise the levels of service to the industry, according to Philip Coetzee, general manager of Woker Freight Services Namibia. “We want to be able to offer solutions rather than just services, and to do that we need an experienced person who speaks the same language as senior management on the mines,” says Coetzee. Kirsten Beeker, who has been appointed as project manager with specific responsibility for the mining sector, has worked on “both sides of the fence” – as a logistics service provider and as a logistics manager for one of the largest Namibian mining operations. According to Beeker, Woker will be expanding its footprint in neighbouring countries, and will be offering a full service that covers all equipment and chemical inputs, as well as exports. As agents for Ecu-Line, Woker is able to offer consolidation services as well as full container loads and breakbulk. “We also support the subcontractors to the mines,” he says. The initial cross-border focus will be on Zambia. However, Woker is also gearing up to support project cargo into and exports of coal from Botswana. The company has experience in handling mining-related and other cargo for Namibia, Zambia, Angola, Botswana, Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Malawi. It specialises in providing in-transit clearances and has road bond facilities for the neighbouring countries. Coetzee says having industryspecific knowledge and skills on board means that Woker can welcome the challenge of handling “difficult stuff ”. INSERT & CAPTION Woker will be expanding its footprint in neighbouring countries. – Kirsten Beeker