CONCARGO
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Haul the way As trade continues to increase both in South Africa and across the rest of the continent of Africa, Concargo, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary, is looking to expand its footprint says the firm’s founder and renowned Cape Town businessman David Kruyer.
By Ian Armitage
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Concargo focus supply chain
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hrough its impressive suite of services and a philosophy of integrated end-to-end supply chain solutions Concargo Global Logistics offers the kind of new generation logistics that are unrivalled in the SADC region. Its motto is ‘Synergy at Your Service’ and says the company’s founder, Chairman and Managing Director David Kruyer “synergy is key” to its successful formula. “Each of our divisions is dedicated in its respective fields but collectively offer holistic supply chain solutions which ultimately add value to the core business of our clients. Synergy is the key.” Concargo’s philosophy of innovation and specialisation offers not only increased sophistication, greater efficiencies and cost control but is backed by a reliable, quality service, he says. “We have industry focused and customised logistics solutions; our footprint by Road Transport in Africa covers the BLNS countries and SADC region.” Concargo is a company on the up. Kruyer is eager to capitalise on its success and expand. “The objective is to increase our African footprint, across all 54
countries. Essentially as our customers grow and expand into new areas, we want to support them and grow with them. We understand crossboarder trade. “Right now we have our Head Office in Cape Town and offices in Johannesburg, Durban and in Zambia and associated offices throughout the rest of Africa.” Investors see South Africa as a gateway to Africa and as trade continues to increase both on and with the rest of the continent, the logistics involved in the transport of an extensive range of products becomes increasingly important, Kruyer says. “We are intent on being the service provider of choice into Africa. “Our ability to provide reliable supply chain services from start to finish means there is no reason why we
We have industry focused and customised logistics solutions; our footprint by Road Transport in Africa covers the BLNS countries and SADC region
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Our ability to provide reliable supply chain services from start to finish means there is no reason why we cannot achieve that goal
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cannot achieve that goal.” Mr Kruyer founded Concargo in 1987, his vision to create strategic business partnerships and alliances in the supply chain and logistics industry in order to provide “cutting-edge solutions for many industry verticals”. That vision continues to define the company. It is a formula that works: This is Concargo’s 25th year in business and it is an established and recognised brand and a vital link in the supply chain in Southern Africa. “The services we offer range from Abnormal, Out-of-Gauge Heavy Haulage and
Concargo focus supply chain
super load project logistics, which is handled by our projects division. Specialised rigging, Mobile Crane Services, national and over-border Africa road haulage, warehousing and distribution solutions and Deployment and mission-critical logistics,” says Kruyer. “Our client base is broad and we identify, develop and coordinate the implementation of industry-focused and customised logistical solutions. “The integration of supply chain functions not only offers unprecedented levels of control and ease of management but is based on strategic solutions to meet overall project objectives no matter the shape or size of the consignment.” Concargo operates a total quality control system to ensure all loads are properly routed, escorted and supervised throughout, complete with documentation management. It has been frequently recognised for its successes and business excellence, winning a gold international quality award for excellence and business prestige in 2005 and an international transport award in Madrid in 2004. “Quality is absolutely vital,” Kruyer says. “Every consignment is approached on an individual basis and according to its size, application and volume.” Concargo is a growing business there are obvious opportunities across the continent and at home in South Africa too. The future looks bright. “I’d say it is, specifically for road haulage,” Kruyer says. “There is to be big upgrades of major ports and the automotive industry is growing so there are a lot of potential contracts to fight for. www.southafricamag.com
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Concargo focus supply chain
“Also there is a real shortage of power which is a fantastic opportunity, you have booming interest in Renewable Energy both Wind Turbines and Solar, and we have the big SKA telescope project and the MeerKAT project. There will be dishes in Mozambique, Uganda and Namibia as well as South Africa and a lot of the equipment will be manufactured here. Specialised equipment will be imported from various parts of the world and both the MeerKAT and SKA projects are certainly things we want to be involved with. “At this time growth is absolutely the main goal.” Kruyer isn’t a greedy man, however. He likes to give back. Enterprise development partnerships are something close to his heart. “Mentoring others and encouraging social upliftment is something we are duty bound to do,” he says. “Where we can help other businesses who are looking to achieve the same goals as us, increase their knowledge base and as both parties we will benefit accordingly. “We’ll share in the profitability of any business they procure.” This is of course Concargo’s 25th year 6
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in business. Understandably Kruyer is a delighted by that. “Along the road we’ve learnt a lot. We’ve learnt by getting out there and getting our hands dirty. We’ve learnt from our mistakes. We believe that over the years we have perfected our services, which are seamless. A warning to anyone thinking of going into this business is beware. There are a lot of challenges. “Let’s hope we can celebrate our 50th anniversary at the top of the transport and logistics industry.” Concargo’s experience allows it to offer clients throughout Africa a responsible and effective service by integrating the logistics value chain. Its staff will react swiftly, efficiently, intelligently and flexibly to every request – and are geared to meeting the demands and inspirations of a rapidly changing world. “Concargo will continue to build on its reputation as a market leader in South Africa,” Kruyer says, adding that crossborder transport into-Africa is not for sissies. To learn more visit URL. www.concargo.com or www.logisticsafrica.com
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