IMPERIAL LOGISTICS

IMPERIAL Logistics wins three Logistics Achiever Awards

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 13:53:26 +0200

Johannesburg, South Africa, 21 September 2010 - IMPERIAL Logistics was awarded Gold and Silver at the prestigious 22^nd Annual Logistics Achiever Awards (LAA). In addition, the Group, together with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and University of Stellenbosch won a Special Merit Award for the authoritative, annual State of Logistics^TM survey.

The LAA, hosted by Logistics News recognises professionalism and excellence in the effective application of strategic, tactical and operational logistics and supply chain management principles, concepts and practices in southern Africa.

Goldfields Logistics, a member of the IMPERIAL Logistics Group and South African paper and pulp manufacturer, Sappi Fine Paper won Gold recognising a relationship that is defined by collaboration and commitment, with the first proof point being that it has endured over a decade.

By balancing process, people and technology through close collaboration within Sappi Fine Paper's supply chain, Goldfields Logistics enabled tangible results and achieved real business empowerment over the duration of the relationship. The judges were impressed by the submission as the high level of business performance is positive proof that collaboration between the LSP and customer is th� key to deliver cost savings and to transform a transactional relationship into a strategic alliance.

By combining consistent fundamentals with tangible value add, Goldfields Logistics has delivered remarkable cost savings and operational efficiencies. "The relationship is remarkable in light of the full supply chain management accountability that Sappi entrusts Goldfields Logistics with," explained Marius Swanepoel, IMPERIAL Logistics CEO. "Trusted delivery, combined with supply chain management efficiencies has positively impacted Sappi's customer relations climate and helps the customer service team adapt pro-actively to market needs."

Dinga Mncube, Executive Director Marketing: Sappi Paper and Paper Packaging SA congratulated the Goldfields Logistics team, saying, "Based on the very high standard of entries received from across all industries, this award was a truly remarkable achievement. We are very proud to be associated with this very dedicated team that has proven beyond a doubt, that logistics excellence can still be achieved after a 10 year relationship."

IMPERIAL Logistics member company, Volition Consulting Services, a supply chain strategy consultancy renowned for its innovative solutions, together with Sasol won Silver for the impactful supply chain optimisation strategy it designed and implemented at Sasol Oil, responsible for the fuel marketing and distribution activities within the Sasol Group. Sasol Oil transformed its business to a supply chain organisation. In conjunction with Volition, Sasol Oil changed from a market channel focussed business to be primarily a process driven organisation.

Acknowledging the State of Logistics^TM survey as a study that demonstrates unparalleled understanding of the industry, Barry Saxon, Head of the Logistics Achiever Awards' Judging Committee said, "For the past six years, the team has produced this important survey, which highlights statistics, infrastructural requirements and identifies trends through which corporates can meet the logistics challenges they face head on."

Making reference to the State of Logistics^TM survey Special Merit Award, Swanepoel said that IMPERIAL Logistics is proud to be the sponsor of the study, which has become one of the premier references for logistics in South Africa through benchmark-driven research and long-term partnerships.

"Across all three award categories, IMPERIAL Logistics was acknowledged for its outstanding achievements in logistics and supply chain management, specifically relating to optimising complex supply chain business cases backed by performance measurement, and tangible supply chain improvement through collaboration," concluded Swanepoel.�

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HML Transport Consultants makes IMPERIAL Logistics connection

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 14:00:33 +0200

Johannesburg, 13 September 2010 - Broco Transport Consultants, a member of the IMPERIAL Logistics Group has acquired a majority stake in Western Cape based transport broker, HM Trust, renowned for its logistics expertise in the commodity and fresh produce sectors. A new company, HML Transport Consultants has been formed.

"The acquisition takes our business to a new level, not only supplying us with the intellectual capital, skills and knowledge we seek, but also with the backing and capacity we need to offer tangible logistics solutions on a larger scale to our clients," says Helgo Hohenstein, Managing Director of HML Transport Consultants.

He says that being linked with global logistics and supply chain leader, IMPERIAL Logistics gives HML access to a multitude of knowledge, infrastructural and capacity based benefits.

A specialist in primary distribution of FMCG products and brands, Broco operates within the IMPERIAL Logistics Consumer Products division, which provides an integrated supply chain solution to a wide range of FMCG and Retail companies, as well as the agriculture market in southern Africa.

HML will complement their portfolio as it is well versed in the transport of commodities including coal, bentonite, steel, fertilizer, cement and timber. In addition, it has the practical experience, skills and sense of urgency necessary to transport fruit and fresh produce to all the major centres country wide, serving some of the Western Cape's most prominent producers thereof.

Johan Truter, Broco Joint Managing Director explains that their decision to acquire a stake in HM Trust was not only based on the company's sound financial viability, but on the synergies and shared value system.

"The long-term success of an acquisition lies in the cultural fit. This transaction was an easy one, with the company's approach towards business, people and values aligning well with Broco and vice versa," Truter says, adding that through excellent skills in managing and coordinating multiple logistics service providers (LSPs), HML delivers a reliable and cost effective primary distribution or long haul transport service.

"As founders and management of HML, we are not only excited about the prospect of offering a tangible and more comprehensive logistics solution, but also about the prospects for our LSPs, such as better negotiated prices on vehicles, diesel, tyres, spare parts and insurance. Our service providers are an extension of our business," says Hohenstein.

IMPERIAL Logistics, to the benefit of both member companies and customers has a successful track record in bolt-on acquisitions. Marius Swanepoel, IMPERIAL Logistics CEO says, "Through our multi-brand structure, we optimise benefits, scale and synergies that are derived from large businesses, while retaining agility, customer focus and entrepreneurial flair that characterise smaller businesses."

At the recent announcement of the listed entity's financial year end results, IMPERIAL CEO, Hubert Brody said, "Logistics is a business that gives very good returns over time. It is a cash generating business, and we're strongly entrenched with a lot of competitive advantages."

"IMPERIAL Logistics' and Broco's client relationships are based on trust, honesty and transparency. At HML, we have always aimed to conduct our business and build our relationships on the same principles. This shared value system not only makes the transaction an easy one, but the right one," concludes Hohenstein.

The ultimate quest � LSPs must deliver sustainable competitive edge

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 14:05:14 +0200

By Abrie de Swardt, Marketing Director of IMPERIAL Logistics

The economic downturn has challenged shippers and LSPs to contend with factors such as unpredictable demand, volatility in fuel costs and currency valuation, and excess inventory.

For the logistics service provider (LSP), the ultimate test lies in the delivery of a sustainable competitive edge to a customer.

The fact is that a clogged, unreliable supply chain delivers sluggish and erratic performance, which directly diminishes business performance. In the FM Global White Paper titled, 'Untangle your supply chain', Professor Vinod Sanghal from the Georgia Institute of Technology (USA) said, "Like a heart attack that cuts off the flow of blood, a supply chain glitch cuts off the supply of information or supplies. And, similar to a heart attack, it has lasting effects on a company's health."

In 2005, Professor Sanghal and Professor Kevin Hendricks from the University of Western Ontario (Canada) "calculated that it can take up to two years for a company to recover from a supply chain failure. Indeed with the proliferation of lean supply chains, the financial impact of a disruption has undoubtedly grown.¹"

The LSP that is most suited to tackling the 'sustainable competitive edge' challenge will not only ask the right questions and establish the appropriate solutions, but will translate this knowledge into a high performing supply chain that consistently operates at optimum total logistics costs.

The ultimate quest is therefore to understand whether the supply chain generate a sustainable competitive edge through technological supremacy or people? Or is it about tailoring client-specific solutions or is it about the process? Is the sustainable competitive advantage enhanced by strategic alliances and partnerships, or by continuously redefining conventional perspectives on logistics and supply chain management?

The answer lies in all of these factors, and more. A balance between process, people and technology must be achieved to deliver customers' desired results within their supply chains. This creates differentiated business processes that generate the required competitive advantage, mobilising people for optimal performance while enabling both process and people by using the appropriate technology.

However, the big question is. Can your LSP achieve the required balance between these three elements, to deliver the sustainable competitive edge needed to move business and industry.

IMPERIAL Logistics is a global logistics and supply chain leader that moves business and industry through innovation, inspiration and foresight. The Group is the largest employer of industrial engineers and logistics professionals in southern Africa, and has demonstrated its commitment to heightening industrial engineering exposure across southern Africa through its strategic partnership with the Southern African Institute for Industrial Engineering (SAIIE), as the organisation's first main corporate sponsor. Through its established Southern African and International divisions, IMPERIAL Logistics' service delivery comprises fundamental logistics and end-to-end supply chain management solutions to blue chip customers in almost every industry.

¹Source: Professor Vinod Sanghal, FM Global White Paper, "Untangle your supply chain"

IMPERIAL Logistics, fast moving and forward thinking in Africa

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 14:12:05 +0200

IMPERIAL Logistics, a global logistics and supply chain leader moves business and industry in Africa, through innovation, inspiration and foresight. The continent presents the Group with dynamic opportunities to ensure optimal and effective supply chain performance, leveraging Africa's Corridors such as the Trans-Oranje, Trans-Kalahari, Trans-Caprivi, and Cunene amongst others, from the Port of Walvis Bay.

Through established strategic alliances with key stakeholders, delivery by IMPERIAL Logistics Africa translates into a sustainable competitive edge for businesses and brands. The division's reach together with its approach in providing fast moving, forward thinking solutions manages total cargo flow and end-to-end logistics across all modes of transportation. The objective is to extend the divisional footprint into East and West Africa, as well as the Great Lake region.

With effective logistics systems being enablers of competitiveness, integrated logistics networks that alleviate pressure on infrastructural capacity constraints play a key role in the socio economic development of the continent at large. For example, through the upgrading and expansion of rail infrastructure moving forward pressure on roads will be greatly reduced, while achieving logistics cost savings.

IMPERIAL Logistics offers customers integrated logistics services, with supply chain reach that extends from Europe to the USA, India and the Far East. Through the IMPERIAL Logistics Africa division, this service offering and reach is extended throughout Africa. Our combination of preeminent supply chain management skills and an extensive resource base of transportation, warehousing and storage, as well as best-of-breed technology systems enable us to anticipate industry dynamics rather than simply reacting to them.

Member companies within the Africa division include Colbro, Etosha Transport, Interchain Logistics, LTS, Namibië Multi Loads, Petrologistics, Truckafrica Group, WP Transport and Zimbulk Tankers. IMPERIAL has also submitted a firm intention offer to acquire 100% of CIC Holdings Ltd, a Namibian company listed on the JSE, with an extensive African footprint.

With a track record of more than 40 years of moving business and industry in Africa, we have the experience in, and knowledge of the most optimal route to market solution for each customer's needs. In addition to IMPERIAL Logistics Africa, the Group's multi branded South African divisions include Transport and Warehousing, Consumer Products, Specialised Freight and Integration Services. IMPERIAL Logistics International comprises four operating units, namely Panopa Logistik, neska, IMPERIAL Reederei and Brouwer Shipping.

At IMPERIAL Logistics, "fast moving, forward thinking" describes our vision to succeed - to be a leading, integrated logistics and supply chain management company that operates in the context of a global economy, with Africa playing a strategic role therein.

Loubser Transport strengthens IMPERIAL Logistics� African footprint

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 14:35:10 +0200

Johannesburg, 26 October 2010 - The acquisition of 65% of transportation specialist, Loubser Transport by IMPERIAL Logistics, a global logistics and supply chain leader strengthens the Group's African service offering. Loubser Transport is the only South African company whose head office and main depot facilities are situated on the South Africa/Botswana border post, a major corridor and gateway between South Africa and rest of SADC.

Loubser Transport, which focuses on the loading, handling and transportation of bulk materials and commodities within the agricultural and mining sectors, motor and construction industries and FMCG market, provides solutions to customers in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

"We are proud to join a large, recognised global logistics business and a brand that moves business and industry through innovation, inspiration and foresight," says Dirkie Loubser, Managing Director of Loubser Transport.

"IMPERIAL Logistics' Africa division, which has recently been created, together with our contribution to IMPERIAL Logistics Transport and Warehousing under which we fall provides us with a synergistic Group within which we plan to expand our business," he says.

Founded in 2001, today Loubser Transport operates 91 units and an established, expansive base of sub-contractors. Its scope of delivery is extensive and ranges from chrome, manganese and coal to tyres, glass, cement and agricultural lime, grains, as well as live stock.

"Loubser Transport gets the job done, and more. It effectively balances volume demand with the use of sub-contractors during peak periods. The team's knowledge of transportation requirements, particularly from a cross border and agricultural sector perspective is strong," concludes Thinus Erasmus, CEO of the IMPERIAL Logistics Transport and Warehousing division.�

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Post-Transport Month business considerations

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 14:46:13 +0200

After a month dedicated to building awareness of South Africa's transport sector, both the private and public sector should take cognisance of logistics' contribution to economic development - and the need for renewed commitment to increased collaboration through public-private partnerships (PPPs).

Johannesburg, 25 October 2010 - As logistics and supply chain processes enable or disable a country's expansion and growth and thereby, its global competitiveness, South Africa's rating of 28^th out of 155 countries on the global Logistics Performance Index (LPI)* indicates an increasingly competitive sector, with the potential to outperform much larger, more established economies.

Excluding high income countries such as Germany and the USA, South Africa is among the top 10 logistics over performers in the survey, keeping company with the likes of China and India.

The World Bank Report, though generated through qualitative research, links logistics performance with economic impact. It states: "Improving logistics performance has become an important policy objective in recent years, because logistics has a major impact on economic activity. Better logistics performance is strongly associated with trade expansion, export diversification, the ability to attract foreign direct investment and economic growth."

"Logistics performance is impacted by efficiencies in customs clearance processes, ease of arranging competitively priced shipments, competence and quality of logistics services and critically, the quality of trade and transport-related infrastructure," says IMPERIAL Logistics Marketing Director, Abrie de Swardt.

From a quantitative perspective, the economic contribution of logistics can be assessed by the total cost of logistics in relation to Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The 6^th State of Logistics^TM survey, produced by the CSIR in collaboration with IMPERIAL Logistics and Stellenbosch University reports that South Africa's total logistics costs (2008) were 14,7% of GDP, the lowest they have been since 2004.

Comparatively, US total logistics costs were at 9,4% (2008) and 7,7% (2009). In the context of an emerging market such as South Africa, however, our 14.7% indicates a positive move, despite it simultaneously indicating that our freight costs remain high.

Dr. Jan Havenga from Stellenbosch University's Centre for Supply Chain Management forecasts that lower administered prices and lower demand will outweigh the drop in efficiency and that logistics costs, relative to the GDP, will be lower in 2009.

He explains, "Logistics costs are a function of three key factors. Demand for logistics services, the efficiency at which these services were supplied and administered prices. The most important administered prices are the fuel price and interest rate. Both decreased substantially in 2009 - much more than the contraction in the economy."

Dr. Havenga says that during 2009, first indications are that transport demand, which makes up approximately 50% of logistics costs, especially for long haul transport, also declined much more than the decline in the economy.

"The effect on inventory levels is still uncertain, but the system was most likely less efficient in 2009. Transport service providers were forced to move less economical loads as shipments declined due to the recession," he adds.

In the US, 2009 saw in the region of 25% of total ocean shipping capacity sitting idle. Commenting on findings of the US State of Logistics Report ('The Great Freight Recession'), Supply Chain Digest columnist Dan Gillmore states that "Since ships ordered in prior years kept coming, that didn't help rebalance capacity very much. As a result, rates fell precipitously, and the ocean carriers did everything they could to cut costs, including so call "slow steaming" to save bunker fuel. And that impacted service dramatically."

The Report finds that the US trucking industry lost some 2000 firms in 2009, a loss of 12.5% of total capacity, with predictions for another 2000 failing in 2010.

In terms of rail, carriers idled some 500,000 cars by mid-2009, a level which fell just barely to 450,000 idled cars by year end. Where an average of 2-3% of cars are idle under normal market conditions, these numbers represent some 32% and 28% of these car totals, respectively. Thousands of locomotives were also parked, leading in total to some $43 billion in assets sitting idle.

In South Africa, rail is a key part of government's plans to move both freight and passengers from road to rail. De Swardt argues that road and rail must complement each other to a greater degree. "Investing in rail alone brings with it a high level of risk and lack of adaptability. Solutions that optimise southern Africa's end-to-end supply chain must be identified, including the way that South Africa's rail, road, inland terminals and ports are integrated."

October 2010 has highlighted some important issues that government is addressing, with it articulating a strong consumer focus. Moving forward, business needs to intensify its collaborative efforts with government to maximise the massive investment in infrastructure.

De Swardt says that infrastructure is the springboard for growth and development. "Business is committed to support government to ensure that the return on investment delivers sustainable benefits to the South African economy, and that the contribution of logistics to economic growth is optimally leveraged to this end."

"At the launch of Transport Month, the honourable Minister of Transport, Mr Sibusiso Ndebele said that South Africa's future lies in being able to move people and goods faster, efficiently and in a cost effective manner. Business plays a major role in moving not only goods, but our country's long-term economic prosperity," concludes de Swardt.

* 2010 World Bank Report 'Connecting to Compete: Trade Logistics in the Global Economy'.�

Inter-modal logistics solutions key to driving regional competitiveness

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 14:49:01 +0200

Abrie de Swardt, IMPERIAL Logistics Marketing Director considers inter-modal logistics solutions to be imperative economic drivers of growth, with investment in road and rail infrastructure development critical in sub-Saharan Africa.

Commodity and product transportation remains a dominant factor in daily economic activity, for which access to an effective logistics system is non-negotiable. Inter-modal solutions play a critical role in the development of sub-Saharan Africa and the continent at large, as efficiency-driven transportation systems enable growth and thereby, competitiveness.

Road and rail

According to the 6^th State of Logistics^TM survey, as a percentage of logistics costs, South Africa's freight transport costs are the highest worldwide. Some of the challenges include high demand, inefficient and inadequate terminal and rail systems, high fuel costs, limited collaboration, process inefficiencies and skills shortages.

This status quo need not continue. Consider that the high demand for transport is supplied by road, an expensive and unsustainable solution for certain products and geographical areas. By aligning objectives, companies within the region can alleviate pressure on the road system, bringing back to rail heavy duty commodities such as coal, iron-ore and manganese, and containers best suited for rail transport.

It is important for road and rail sectors to complement each other through applying an optimum split between the two transport modes. Furthermore, solutions that optimise sub-Sahara Africa's end-to-end supply chain must be identified, including the way that rail, road, inland terminals and ports are integrated.

Inter-modal Africa

Within the African context, integrated logistics networks that alleviate pressure on infrastructural capacity constraints play a key role in socio-economic development. The continent presents opportunities to ensure optimal and effective supply chain performance, leveraging Corridors such as the Trans-Caprivi, Trans-Kalahari Trans-Oranje and Cunene amongst others, and the Port of Walvis Bay.

In its latest World Economic Outlook, the IMF forecasts that sub-Saharan Africa will grow by 5% this year and 5,5% in 2011, supported by the recovery in exports and commodity prices and by robust domestic demand in some economies. In a post recession environment within emerging markets, investment into infrastructure will provide critical support to achieving such levels of growth.

In South Africa alone, we will see R846 billion spent on public infrastructure over the next three years, with government having committed to spending an additional R2.8 billion on developing public transport, roads and rail infrastructure in 2010. From a logistics perspective, such investment is critical to heighten our cost competitiveness in the global market.

Public-private partnerships

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) will continue to play an important part in infrastructural development. In terms of rail alone, forming PPPs is a significant requirement to support Transnet's multibillion-rand investment plan in creating capacity to achieve sustainable logistics.

If forecasts are anything to go by, the value of PPP projects in South African infrastructure delivery is set to grow from just over R4-billion in 2007/08 to R11.4-billion in 2010/11, which is a step in the right direction.

Raising the bar

Rated by the World Bank as 28^th out of 155 countries in terms of its Logistics Performance Index (2010), the South African logistics industry features among the top 10 logistics over performers (excluding high income countries such as Germany and the USA). This puts us in the company of China and India.

There is undoubtedly room to 'raise the bar', not only in the context of our rating but considering the ample opportunity on our doorstep. Inter-modal solutions that deliver cost and operational efficiencies within sub-Saharan Africa's supply chain are critical enablers for us to do just that.

IMPERIAL Logistics introduces first Euro V vehicles to SA

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 14:50:57 +0200

Johannesburg, 8 October 2010 - IMPERIAL Logistics is leading the green supply chain evolution with initiatives that include South Africa's first vehicles equipped to Euro V emission standards. Member company, Fast 'n Fresh has two vehicles that are on track to be in operation in the next two months and additional vehicles are due to be on the road early next year.

Euro V engines run on low sulphur diesel, with additives that further reduce toxic emissions. "As environmental sustainability is substantially enabled through supply chain management, IMPERIAL Logistics applies 'green' best practice in its resource base of transportation, warehousing and storage, as well as technology systems," says Abrie de Swardt, IMPERIAL Logistics Marketing Director.

Practical steps taken include ensuring that all fuel contains 5% of "biodiesel" in its Fast 'n Fresh operations. Its fleet for customer, Woolworths includes three ecoFridge trailers and one rigid unit, which is anticipated to eliminate 596 tons of CO₂ per year, with consumption decreasing up to 9% because of load optimisation.

Fundamentally different from mechanical refrigeration systems, ecoFridge is nitrogen powered and thereby completely harmless to the environment. It uses no HFCs or HCFCs and is already Montreal (2010) and Kyoto (2015) compliant on emissions, and is 30% more cost effective to operate.

"Combined fuel and emission savings have translated into the equivalent of 10 cars less on the road, per truck. Our objective is to expand this trial and roll it out to the larger fleet," de Swardt says, concluding that as green becomes th� factor in supply chain management, companies outsourcing this function will rely on LSPs to help satisfy green goals.�

Fast �n Fresh takes on �best of the best� at TRUCKERMANIA

Sun, 21 Nov 2010 20:07:53 +0200

Johannesburg, 08 November 2010 � Pieter Adriaanse, a driver at IMPERIAL Logistics member company, Fast �n Fresh went up against Europe�s top drivers at the 8th FleetBoard Drivers League or �TRUCKERMANIA�, an annual international economical driving competition.

South Africa�s top two drivers competed in the final, that entailed a 60km tour on Germany�s public roads and a timed drive in a Zetos off-road vehicle, which saw Adriaanse placed 16th overall.

This year, South Africa competed in the Daimler hosted competition for the first time, going up against Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, UK, Poland, Italy, the Czech Republic and Romania. In the South African leg of the competition, eight Fast �n Fresh drivers finished in the top 10 and 12 in the top 15.

�Pieter�s achievement and those of the 350 drivers who competed in the South African stage is important. It proves that many of South Africa�s truck drivers have world-class skills that can positively impact safety on our roads and contribute to ensuring supply chain compliance,� says Abrie de Swardt, IMPERIAL Logistics Marketing Director.

Drivers were rated on factors such as preventative driving style, speed change and braking behaviour, all of which counted towards the �economical handling of the truck�. The competition was also a test of sportsmanship.

De Swardt asks, �Does skills development need high level attention from government? Yes. But it also needs business to push progress where it matters. In this case, it is on the road,� adding that long-term, practical training solutions are imperative to develop human capital in a sustainable way.

When it comes to addressing skills shortages, business has a leading role to play in building the skills base on a practical level. For example, the IMPERIAL Logistics Driver Academy does continuous in-house driver training and through Driver Learnerships, unemployed learners can obtain their Code EC license after which they can complete their National Certificate in Professional Driving modules.

The Academy recently trained 25 ex Army members to be Code EC drivers, providing them with employment within the Group thereafter.

In the transportation environment, economical driving is critical. Not only does it ensure cost savings for companies, but it provides �green� benefits through the reduction of harmful CO₂ emissions. According to the FleetBoard Drivers� League, �The increasingly high performances at the top of the ranking lists show that more and more drivers and companies are concerned with the consequent implementation of driving styles that protect our resources.�

Adriaanse, who took second place in South Africa to come out tops against the �best of the best� says, �In my job, I need top driving skills. By taking part in this international competition, I have tested my skills and learnt where I need to improve.�

�If South African youth understands the central role that logistics and transportation, in particular plays in moving our economy, we will begin to attract this critical next generation to our industry. We can leverage success stories such as Pieter�s to teach and inspire not only today�s but tomorrow�s workforce,� concludes de Swardt.

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IMPERIAL Logistics invests in zero emission cooling technology

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 11:05:34 +0200

Johannesburg, 22 November 2009 � Perishable goods distributors, Fast�nFresh, which falls under the umbrella of IMPERIAL Logistics Refrigerated Services has taken delivery of three ecoFridge fitted trailers and a rigid body truck. The new nitrogen powered refrigeration equipment from Serco, a Ukrainian company is completely harmless to the environment and 30% less expensive to operate.

It is anticipated that Fast�nFresh customer, Woolworths will benefit from a net saving of R3.6million per year, based on current volumes, that 596 tons of CO2 will be eliminated per annum and that fuel consumption will decrease up to 9%. Combined, fuel and emission savings will translate into the equivalent of 10 cars less on the road, per truck.

Throughout the IMPERIAL Logistics Group, member companies strive to optimally deploy resources, from vehicles to drivers and continuously base-line reductions when new enabling technologies such as the ecoFridge become available.

Leonard Hyman, IMPERIAL Logistics Refrigerated Services Operations Manager says, �We are continuously looking at ways to reduce, reuse and recycle. EcoFridge offered both a cost savings and environmentally friendly route to further reduce our carbon footprint.�

The vehicles will be used for the distribution of perishable products to Woolworths stores in the greater Cape Town area, as well as between Cape Town and Johannesburg. �We plan to extend this to include the greater Durban area and other centres in Gauteng in the near future,� he adds.

The ecoFridge system works by releasing vaporised nitrogen into the load area from an under‐slung tank with a capacity of up to 1 000 litres. Nitrogen used by the system has zero carbon emissions, unlike diesel units that produce 2,63kg of carbon for every litre of fuel used.

�We looked to Serco to do the preparations and fitment of the fridges, having developed a long standing business relationship with them. We worked together to produce the design of a body which conforms to our specific requirements and applications needs,� says Hyman.

The vehicles can be operated as mono-temperature or multi-temperature units depending on a customer�s requirements. The smaller units are equipped to carry products at two different temperatures, while the larger vehicles have the facility for three different temperatures to be applied in the same load.

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IMPERIAL Logistics� Panopa secures worldwide spare parts deal

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 12:22:14 +0200

IMPERIAL Logistics International subsidiary, Panopa Logistik has been appointed to manage the spare parts logistics for the Compactum Equipment Division of the Ammann Group, worldwide. Amman is one of Switzerland’s leading construction machinery manufacturers.

Panopa’s initial responsibility has been to centralise Amman’s spare parts logistics, consolidating existing sites down from five to one. “The Panopa Logistics Centre in Dortmund is now the location for central supply to Ammann branches, dealers and building contractors, globally,” says Dr. Andreas Hucht, Contract Logistics Division Manager at Panopa.

The company carries out Amman’s order picking, as well as stores and packs components for rammers, single drum rollers, tandem rollers, vibratory plates and add-on compactors, with a storage area of around 3 000m². About 50 000 shipments are made annually, with volumes comprising approximately 100 000 delivery items. “We also select the carriers and manage shipments to the worldwide Ammann sales offices and dealers,” says Dr. Hucht.

Previously, the spare parts logistics for the compaction machinery of the Swiss construction equipment producer was divided between two locations in Germany and one site each in the Czech Republic, Italy and Switzerland. “To date, we have successfully completed consolidation of the five sites,” he says.

Marius Swanepoel, CEO of IMPERIAL Logistics says, “Logistics Service Providers must be in a position to handle global scale projects, as value chains increasingly extend across continents. Amman’s appointment of IMPERIAL Logistics International provides the Group with a significant opportunity to affirm our reputation as a global leader in logistics and supply chain management.”

IMPERIAL Logistics raises transformation performance year-on-year

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 12:42:37 +0200

Johannesburg, South Africa, 8 February 2011 – According to the latest certification by the National Empowerment Rating Agency (NERA), IMPERIAL Logistics, a global leader in logistics and supply chain management once again improved its Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) rating.

An official Value Added Supplier and Level Four Contributor, the Group increased its total score to 71.23, up from 70.61 in 2009. “Transformation, through B-BBEE, skills development as well as a focus on sustainability is a strategic imperative for us,” says Marius Swanepoel, IMPERIAL Logistics Chief Executive Officer.

IMPERIAL Logistics’ skills development programme contributes significantly to expanding economic opportunities for its 21 000 employees. “Our objective is to develop current and future skills at all organisational levels,” he says. The Group’s Graduate Programme, for example has accommodated approximately 120 graduates over the past two years, and is significantly increasing management and leadership capacity while addressing succession planning and transformation objectives.

Skills development is furthered through dedicated structures and resources such as the Group’s Trainer Driver Academy and the IMPERIAL Logistics Learning Academy. The IMPERIAL Group has empowerment partnerships with Ukhamba, a broad-based employee investment trust and Lereko Investments.

“This week, we have changed the portfolio of Transformation Director, Sibongile Zikalala to that of Sustainability Director, expanding her responsibilities to include both transformation and environmental issues to confirm our commitment to sustainability from a people, profit and planet perspective,” concludes Swanepoel.

Labour disputes pose supply chain risk

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 12:51:57 +0200

Johannesburg, 21 February 2011 – In South Africa, protracted labour disputes feature as one of the major risks to supply chains, being 2.5 times higher than the world average. This is according to the recently completed Phase II of the MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics Global Risk Survey, a joint initiative in South Africa by SAPICS and IMPERIAL Logistics, in collaboration with MIT.

Comparatively, the local survey finds that extended loss of electricity is a risk that is 5 times higher than the world average. Employee theft/executive misdeeds come in 4 times higher and disease/infestation, 2.3 times higher.

Seven types of risk were identified by the survey, including ‘internal operations disruptions’, ‘people not available’ and ‘cannot ship or deliver products’, all of which have a bearing within labour disputes.

“We acknowledge that strike action is a fundamental right within the South African regulatory context. It is also important, however to consider the negative impact that protracted labour negotiations have on South Africa’s economic performance,” says Marius Swanepoel, IMPERIAL Logistics Chief Executive Officer.

For example, the lengthy industrial strike action immediately following the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ back tracked significantly positive perceptions relating to South Africa.

Within the supply chain context, last year’s Transnet-related strike action by the South African Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (SATAWU) and the United Transport and Allied Trade Union (UTATU) led to major companies being unable to supply customers. “Some shipping lines were required to divert vessels from Durban, which resulted in the delay of imports and exports and in some cases, cancelled orders,” he says.

From a positive perspective, the survey finds that in South Africa, civil unrest/terrorism, and product tampering and counterfeit products have less of an impact on the supply chain. It also benchmarks how the country fares against developed and developing countries. “It confirms that South Africa has similar supply chain risks to those of developed countries,” says Swanepoel.

The MIT Global Risk Survey, which explores supply chain risk attitudes and supply chain risk management practices has been completed in 70 countries. The survey enables greater understanding of the different contexts within which increasingly global supply chains operate.

“The motivation for the survey was to determine if regional or cultural differences existed and if so, what they might be. Most supply chains are very much international due to globalisation, involving trading partners from different regions, who speak different languages and have experienced different risks,” he explains.

Phase II enables the understanding of broad risk types. It has identified top supply chain risk factors, both internal and external disruptors and aims to further understanding of perceptions towards risk mitigation, as well as the types of risk management strategies that are currently in place within business.

“The survey validates the fact that protracted strike action is perceived to have serious implications for an economy, just as wage negotiations that run smoothly can have a positive impact for South Africa on all fronts, from individual remuneration to economic performance,” concludes Swanepoel.

Logistics partners key to return on infrastructure investment

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 12:59:10 +0200

Johannesburg, 1 March 2011 � As South African government intensifies transport infrastructure spending, Logistics Service Providers (LSPs) bring critical skills to the table to assist national and provincial departments and municipalities with planning, budgeting and contract management. Government transport spend will total R66-billion in 2011/12, increasing to R80-billion by 2013/14.

LSP-public sector partnership

�Understanding of end-to-end value chains, with expertise in modal integration, network optimisation, consolidation, speed and flexibility, asset maintenance and IT enablement is beneficial to transport infrastructure development and maintenance projects,� says Abrie de Swardt, IMPERIAL Logistics Marketing. �LSPs can offer particular value in collaboration with the public sector in terms of driving operational improvement and overall effectiveness.�
South Africa�s 2011 Budget, as announced last week by Finance Minister, Pravin Gordhan revealed expanded investment in �modernising our infrastructure and transport logistics, accelerating further education and skills development and supporting research, technology and industrial investment.� De Swardt notes that the logistics industry is, �either directly or indirectly� linked to these focal areas.��
�Socio-economic development, significantly enabled by logistics and supply chain management efficiencies is stimulated by extensive, modern and properly-maintained infrastructure. We welcome the increased spend of R10.3-billion over the next three years on critical infrastructure, such as national and provincial road maintenance,� he says.
Infrastructural expansion, enabled through more successful collaboration is not a choice but a necessity. Collaborative investment by the public and private sector, both financially and in terms of resources must focus on ensuring on-going maintenance and operational improvement of our transportation network infrastructure.

Freight corridor strategy

�Within South Africa, LSPs operate within a challenging context due to inadequate rail capacity, bad road quality and extensive skills shortages. Furthermore, the country maintains high total cost of logistics. This cost is compounded by growing demand for transportation, as well as high and volatile fuel costs,� says de Swardt.

Government will spend R1.5-billion on provincial road maintenance and weigh bridges. �This is noteworthy in light of the bad state of the secondary road network,� he says, adding that a different approach for freight corridors is necessary. A dualistic national strategy that addresses both main freight corridor and rural services should be considered, with the ultimate objective being to reduce the country�s total cost of logistics.

Rural freight, extensively serviced by the secondary road network is expected to exhibit strong growth moving forward. This road network is �generally in an inadequate condition and not maintained as required� according to the 6th State of Logistics� survey.

Professor Jackie Walters, HOD: Department of Transport and Supply Chain Management (University of Johannesburg) and Director: Institute for Transport and Logistics Studies (ITLS) (Africa) projects that road freight will continue to dominate both the corridor and rural freight transport market, internationally and locally.

He indicates that �although most of government�s focus is on �rebalancing� road/rail modal shares, we are losing the plot on the rural services,� which has seen an 85% increase in tonnage over the past five years. Comparatively, corridor tonnage has only increased by 39.5%.

De Swardt notes that the additional R2.7-billion being allocated to the SA National Roads, of which more than half will be allocated to certain coal haulage route maintenance and national road network maintenance, is beneficial for LSPs and their customers. Citing the 6th State of Logistics� survey, he says that companies needing to utilise routes with bad roads spend nearly 10% more in total logistics costs.

Logistics-driven economic growth

Post-Budget Speech, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan stated that the South African economy needs to achieve seven percent in economic growth annually, for the next 20 years. �The competitive spirit of the country�s business community must be applied to fundamental needs such as job creation,� he adds.

The link between logistics efficiencies and economic growth is undisputed. Therefore, solutions that optimise southern Africa�s end-to-end supply chain must be identified and critically, must be supported by cost effective and efficiency-driven infrastructure.

�Infrastructure is the springboard for growth and development. Business, government and industry bodies must work together to ensure that the return on transport infrastructure investment delivers sustainable benefits to the South African economy. The contribution of logistics to economic growth is optimally leveraged to this end,� concludes de Swardt.

Globalisation forces business to gear up supply chain risk

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 10:39:15 +0200

MIT Global Risk Survey, Phase II South Africa findings

Johannesburg, 17 March 2011 – South African companies participating in the MIT Global Risk Survey (Phase II) rated natural disasters, fires and explosions as uncommon supply chain risks within their operations. The recent natural disasters in Australia, New Zealand and particularly Japan are, however proving the global impact of such incidents on shipping and sourcing and thereby, supply chains.

The MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics Global Risk Survey is being undertaken in South Africa jointly by the Association for Operations Management of Southern Africa (SAPICS) and IMPERIAL Logistics, in collaboration with MIT.

“As the supplier of approximately 20% of semiconductors and 40% of flash memory chips worldwide and a major supplier in the likes of the automotive sector, last week’s earthquake and tsunami in Japan will force companies to rethink their approach to managing supply chain risk,” says Abrie de Swardt, IMPERIAL Logistics Marketing Director.

In terms of risk mitigation perceptions, South African companies believe in a local response over a central risk response action. This falls in between the North American and European approaches, as identified by the global survey findings. “By addressing supply chain risk through a centralised approach, a company aligns its strategies to the holistic context. Response at a local level allows site level staff to apply their own actions immediately,” he explains.

Cross-continent supply chain impact

De Swardt says that supply chains are considerably more vulnerable as a result of being “very much international due to globalisation, involving trading partners from different regions, who speak different languages and have experienced different risks.” The survey identifies seven risk causal factors, including the inability to ship or deliver products, loss of raw material supply, disruption of internal operations, inability to communicate with vendors/other sites, running out of cash and a sudden drop in customer demand.

All seven risks can be triggered locally due to cross-border supply chains. “The scale and unpredictability of the natural disasters occurring across continents requires a more holistic approach to supply chain risk mitigation, both for shippers and Logistics Service Providers (LSPs),” he says. “Comprehensive contingency plans are therefore needed.”

For example, despite Japan’s main airports, Narita and Haneda having been reopened and road and rail disruption reportedly only localised, sea ports have been badly affected. Analysts forecast that “supply chain effects may be one of the longer lasting issues for the logistics sector, with global markets in air and sea freight depressed due to lack of volume.”

Furthermore, with Japan being a major importer of iron ore and coking coal for steel production, as well as thermal coal for power generation, dry bulk shipping could be negatively affected.
South African supply chain perspectives
The survey finds that South Africa is more closely aligned to developed over developing economies, in terms of the top ten supply chain risk factors facing business. The country however, not only resembles developing countries regarding ‘extended electricity loss’ and ‘major software systems failure’ but is required to address these issues more frequently.

Extended loss of electricity is five times more likely to occur in South Africa, compared to the world average. “As a risk needing to be addressed, employee theft/executive misdeeds come in 4 times higher than the international average. Protracted labour disputes are 2.5. times more likely to transpire and disease/infestation, 2.3 times higher,” says de Swardt.

South African companies rated raw material supplier failure as the top supply chain risk, followed by finished goods manufacturing failure, product quality failure, transportation carrier failure and economic recession/market collapse. “Notably, within South African supply chains, companies tend to work more with customers than suppliers in addressing risk management,” he adds.

Increasing supply chain responsiveness

This phase of the survey enables the understanding of broad risk types. “It has identified top supply chain risk factors, both internal and external disruptors and aims to further understanding of perceptions towards risk mitigation, as well as the types of risk management strategies that are currently in place within business,” explains de Swardt.

The third phase of the MIT Global Risk Survey will focus on applied research. Specific elements of the first two phases will be assessed in greater detail, within company specific contexts, in order to provide practical future scenarios.

“As supply chain professionals, we must generate ways in which to make changes designed to increase agility and responsiveness, while reducing costs. This survey’s findings to date enable South African logistics and supply chain management professionals to not only apply best practice, but to lead it,” concludes de Swardt.

7th State of Logistics

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 15:26:11 +0200

Johannesburg, 8 March 2011 - South Africa’s consistently high total cost of logistics decreased by just 1.2% between 2008 and 2009, from 14.7% to 13.5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Within a recessionary context this points to an underperforming logistics sector, according to the 7th State of Logistics™ survey released today by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), IMPERIAL Logistics and Stellenbosch University.

“Total logistics costs should have been significantly lower in 2009 due to the financial crisis and contraction of the economy. It would have been fair to have expected this percentage to have dropped to a level of closer to 12.5%, given the downward changes in the two leading cost drivers, namely the sharp drop in the price of diesel and in the interest rate,” says Hans Ittmann, Executive Director of CSIR Built Environment.

The survey, themed ‘Value Creation towards Global Competitiveness and Sustainability’ states that while investment into transportation infrastructure has been necessary, it has been costly. “A major concern is the effect of the recovery of infrastructural development costs over the next few years,” says Ittmann.

“Apart from the logistics costs report released annually by the USA, the State of Logistics™ survey is the only other report that covers the annual logistics costs of a country. Using the reports published the past seven years, one can track trends of various important logistics factors within the country,” notes Ittmann.

The State of Logistics™ survey has become one of the premier references for logistics in South Africa through benchmark-driven research and the CSIR’s long-term partnership with IMPERIAL Logistics and Stellenbosch University. This year, topics centre on ‘green’ logistics (including ‘extra distance’ measurement); deteriorating road quality and benefit-cost analysis; supply chain risk management; the skills issue; and rural logistics.

Total cost of logistics
“Total tonnage and ton-km decreased in 2009, by 4% and 3.7%, respectively,” says Dr Jan Havenga of Stellenbosch University. “Less freight was transported in 2009, with a reduction in transport costs of 9.2% - much less than the fall in the price of diesel (28.3%).”

Totalling R22.7 billion, the majority of the country’s externality costs were caused by road transport. At R10.9 billion, accidents comprised the largest cost component, followed by the impact of emissions at R5.2 billion and that of congestion at R4.5 billion.

Notably, 23 million tons of greenhouse gasses were emitted due to land freight transport activities. Havenga adds, “This amounts to 49% of transport emissions and just under 5% of total emissions for the country. Road freight contributed 20.3 million tons and rail 2.7 million, which translates into R4.6 billion and R0.6 billion in costs to the environment.”

“Transportation costs, which have always been the highest cost element locally, seem to be equally high contributors to logistics costs in most other countries, whereas our administration costs remain comparatively high,” he says.

In 2009, the average inventory requiring financing increased by 15.2%, from R416-billion to R513-billion. Inventories relative to output increased from 17% to 21% between 2007 and 2009.

Havenga explains that as the recession deepened, inventories built up due to lower consumption. “This, in turn, led to larger inventory holdings that needed to be financed and also to less efficient transport due to lower volumes and more empty-hauls. Inventory carrying times increased from 12 to 15 days on a weighted average basis.”

Performance by transportation mode
“For the first time since the launch of the survey there has been a decline in transport activity on all typologies, except bulk mining,” says Ittmann. “The impact of the recession is evident. There has been a slight reduction in freight tonnage moved; however, the tonnage split between road and rail remained almost the same at 88.7% on road and 11.3% on rail.”

Only profitable rail infrastructure was used, while larger components – notably the branch lines – in the more rural areas were not utilised, while simultaneously becoming increasingly dilapidated. “In terms of rail as a freight transportation mode, we could be dealing with a ‘low cost, low service’ situation compared to a ‘high cost, high service’ one,” he says.

The survey indicates that South Africa is underperforming in terms of harbour efficiencies. Referring to a recent study commissioned by the Ports Regulator, it cites that the Durban harbour was found to be the most expensive among 12 international harbours used for benchmarking, and its productivity was rated the lowest overall. In this regard, any comparison with other countries must be done within the specific context, a point stressed throughout the 7th survey.

Value creation through outsourcing
The survey indicates that approximately one third of transport activity in South Africa is outsourced. It states: “The major growth opportunity for road hauliers is not among available outsourced freight, but rather growth in outsourcing, often achieved by total logistics arrangements that can highlight savings on cost of ownership.”

“While traditional supply chains offer three primary benefits, namely reduced costs, faster delivery and improved delivery, these advantages are no longer sufficient in the modern business world,” says Marius Swanepoel, CEO of IMPERIAL Logistics. “A new paradigm is emerging where supply chains should also serve as a vehicle for developing and sustaining competitive advantage under a variety of performance objectives.”

He says that effective outsourcing can reduce logistics costs by optimising loads, orders and capacity, adding: “Only as good as their weakest link, supply chains should provide one or more of six basic outcomes, namely cost, responsiveness, security, sustainability, resilience and innovation.”

Collaboration and competitiveness
The 7th State of Logistics™ reiterates the need for closer collaboration between the public and private sectors to deliver economic infrastructure that supports economic growth and job creation, and to tap into the current commodity upcycle.

“Government recognises that logistics and supply chain management are critical for the competitiveness of the country. According to the recent New Growth Plan for South Africa, bottlenecks and backlogs in logistics hamper economic growth and raise costs,” says Ittmann.

A move from mediocrity
“Supply chain performance will be mediocre unless the organisation, people, skills sets, and culture are world-class. If we settle for such mediocrity, South African business will be sluggish, generating sub-standard economic growth,” says Ittmann. “Our logistics sector needs to outperform its historic highs,” he adds. As recently stated by Finance Minister, Pravin Gordhan, the country needs to achieve seven percent in economic growth annually, for the next 20 years.

“South Africa is on a potentially exciting growth path. Our new membership to the emerging market leadership, BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and now South Africa) provides a confidence boost to the goal of becoming an entry point for countries and companies looking to do business on the African continent. Cutting our total cost of logistics by applying innovative, pragmatic thinking holds the key to the contribution of logistics to improved global competitiveness for the country,” concludes Ittmann.

The 7th State of Logistics™ survey is available at:
http://www.imperiallogistics.co.za/csirebook/

Note to editors:

Extra facts

CO2 emissions and carbon tax
Freight transport is estimated to contribute roughly 8% of energy-related CO2 emissions worldwide. South Africa is the largest CO2 emitter from fuel combustion in Africa. Making logistics ‘sustainable’ in the longer term will, however, involve more than just cutting carbon emissions.

The transport sector (freight and passenger movement) consumes 27% of South Africa’s total final energy, 78% of its liquid fuels and 1.6% of its electricity. In 2009, 23 million tons of greenhouse gasses were emitted in South Africa due to land freight transport activities. This amounts to 49% of transport emissions and just over 5% of total emissions for the country. Road freight contributed 20.3 million tons and rail 2.7 million tons, which translates to R4.6 billion and R0.6 billion in costs to the environment.

Initial indications from Treasury are that these carbon emissions could be taxed at around R165 per ton, with the proposed tax range can be between R75 and R200 per ton of emissions.

Communications
The research contained in the 7th State of Logistics™ survey emphasises the need for improved communication effectiveness, for example, communication regarding road works and stoppages on routes. This is imperative to minimise the effects of necessary road maintenance on transport companies.

Inventory
The cost of storage, handling, stuffing and picking (at current prices) rose by less than the inflation rate, alleviating the cost impacting of rising inventory levels to some extent and leading to an overall increase in storage costs of 1.2%.

Greening
To balance economic growth and social development, taking climate change into account, one has to follow the concept of the triple bottom line. This concept advocates a simultaneous concern for economic, ecological and social sustainability in organisational decision-making.

Extra distance
‘Extra distance’ is the difference between the distance that vehicles actually ran and the distance that they would have needed to have run under ‘normal, controlled’ circumstances (e.g. no changes in volumes of stock to be moved, no excessive congestion or delays).

The ‘extra distance’ concept is a way of assessing how efficient or inefficient a distribution network is, the root causes of blockages within the transportation system and the potential costs and CO2 emission savings that can be made. ‘Extra distance’ provides the facts and forecasts for supply chain management teams that are willing to achieve consistent improvement.

Vehicle and road maintenance costs
In 2009, the estimated road maintenance costs per lane per kilometre on a national road were R150 000. It is assumed that the vehicle maintenance and repair costs on roads ranging from good roads to bad ones vary between R0.96 and R2.11 per kilometre. These costs are only a component of the total vehicle operating costs, with others being fuel, oil and tyre costs. The resulting total vehicle operating costs vary between R3.00 per kilometre for a good road and R 7.00 per kilometre for a bad road.

Benefit-cost ratio
Research on the effect of bad roads on total logistics costs has progressed and the survey shows analyses of the cost benefit between the cost of vehicle repair and maintenance, and the cost of maintaining roads. A benefit-cost analysis for the maintenance of the Gauteng-Durban corridor showed that major benefits can be realised when keeping a road in good condition. One may argue that the most obvious solution to this problem is to repair and maintain roads to address the root cause. As the cost of repairing and maintaining roads is, however, extremely high, the economic feasibility should be investigated properly.

Research pointed to the minimum and maximum benefit-cost ratios of 1.88 and 3.47, respectively. This implies that the potential benefit - in terms of vehicle operating cost savings – that could be realised over a seven-year period is between 1.88 and 3.47 times the cost of maintaining the road. Seeing that a benefit-cost ratio of 1 implies that the benefit and cost are the same, any benefit-cost ratio above 1 is acceptable. The benefit-cost ratio range of 1.88 to 3.47 therefore shows that maintaining roads in a good condition could indeed be the best solution.

However, this analysis considered only the Gauteng-Durban transport corridor – a road that is generally kept in good condition - and is not necessarily representative of all the roads in the country.

Media statement released on behalf of the CSIR, IMPERIAL Logistics and Stellenbosch University by:
Tendani Tsedu, CSIR media manager, tel 012 841 3417; cell 082 945 1980; mtsedu@csir.co.za

Enquiries regarding the 7th State of Logistics™ survey:
CSIR – Hans Ittmann, CSIR Built Environment Executive Director, tel 012 841 3051; cell 082 451 1691; email hittmann@csir.co.za

IMPERIAL Logistics – Abrie de Swardt, Marketing Director, tel 011 821 5500; cell 083 625 1158; email: abrieds@il.co.za

Stellenbosch University – Dr Jan Havenga, Director: Centre for Supply Chain Management, tel 021 808 3981; cell 084 588 8884; email janh@sun.ac.za

IMPERIAL Logistics recognised as a Climate Change Leader

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 15:34:22 +0200

IMPERIAL Logistics, a global leader in logistics and supply chain management received a Special Mention at the 2011 Climate Change Leaders Awards. The accolade acknowledges the Group�s contribution to the �green logistics� evolution as a supply chain leader through its focus on greater vehicle, driver, electricity and waste efficiency, including valuable support through initiatives with government, industry and academia.

IMPERIAL Logistics has demonstrated that a focus on best practice across the supply chain, transportation and warehousing activities deliver operational and economic benefits, while simultaneously limiting carbon footprint and waste. Initiatives undertaken include �extra distance studies�, use of solar power, investment in South Africa�s first Euro5 fleet and nitrogen powered transport refrigeration, as well as equipment design and optimisation.

�As �green� increasingly becomes th� factor in operating a supply chain, companies that outsource these functions will inevitably rely on Logistics Service Providers (LSPs) to help them achieve their �green� goals,� says Abrie de Swardt, Marketing Director of IMPERIAL Logistics.

�Transportation may be one of the most difficult areas of the supply chain to make environmentally friendly. However, it is not an impossible task if the LSP takes a pragmatic approach that is led by collaboration. Working together with customers, suppliers, policy makers and even competitors is imperative for such a challenge,� he says.

Citing the 7th Annual State of Logistics� survey, he says that 23 million tons of greenhouse gasses in South Africa were emitted due to land freight transport activities in 2009. �This amounts to 49% of transport emissions and just under 5% of total emissions for the country,� he says. Road freight contributed 20.3 million tons and rail 2.7 million, which translates into R4.6 billion and R0.6 billion in costs to the environment.

Speaking at the Climate Change Leadership gala dinner held in Sandton this week, Dr. Kumi Naidoo, Executive Director of Greenpeace emphasised the need for development of renewable energy. He said, �We are not harnessing even five percent of renewable energy in Africa. � What is at stake here is securing the future of our children and grandchildren. Failure to do this is a betrayal of our very own children.�

IMPERIAL Logistics� move to �green� is also taking place at a practical level. For example, member company IMPERIAL Cargo recently relocated to its new, �green� national logistics hub in the Western Cape. The new office building for the company�s 120 employees runs on electricity generated by the CES solar system on the warehouse roof.

�All IT on the site therefore runs on clean power. Motion sensors tell the building where the people are, so lights get switched off in empty offices. On cold days when there is extra capacity within the solar system, the building switches off some air conditioning from outside grid power to the solar system,� he explains.

�Business must be accountable for its environmental impact. In our sector, through making the right procurement decisions, working closely with employees and business partners and the intelligent application of supply chain modelling aided by the necessary tools, excessive carbon emissions are eliminated. This is the key to leaner and greener supply chains,� concludes de Swardt.

Logistics business should �move together� with S�hamba Sonke

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 15:44:08 +0200

IMPERIAL Logistics commends the Department of Transport (DoT) on the launch of its S�hamba Sonke secondary road upgrade and maintenance programme that will see R22,3 billion invested by government. Its objective to achieve a balance between construction and sustainable maintenance investment is critical in light of the 7th Annual State of Logistics� survey road benefit-cost analysis.

�The link between South Africa�s consistently high total logistics costs and bad roads is proven,� says Abrie de Swardt, IMPERIAL Logistics Marketing Director. �A country�s total cost of logistics has a direct bearing on how competitive the economy is in the global context.�

The survey, published by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Stellenbosch University and IMPERIAL Logistics investigates the link between the quality of roads and unnecessary maintenance and operations costs for cargo vehicles. It states, �Deteriorating road quality can lead to drastic increases in vehicle maintenance and repair costs, resulting in sizeable increases in company logistics costs.�

�There is a significant saving in the cost of vehicle repair and maintenance through investment in infrastructure maintenance,� he says. �The survey points to the minimum and maximum benefit-cost ratios of 1.88 and 3.47, respectively. This implies that the potential benefit � in terms of vehicle operating cost savings � that could be realised over a seven-year period is between 1.88 and 3.47 times the cost of maintaining the road.�

De Swardt notes that the survey also finds that �the resulting total vehicle operating costs vary between R3.00 per kilometre for a good road and R 7.00 per kilometre for a bad road.� In addition, of the total R22.7 billion in the country�s externality costs, the majority can be attributed to road transport.

�The benefits of sustainable infrastructure maintenance far outweigh the costs. The Logistics sector, through industry knowledge and research, as well as public-private partnership participation has much to contribute to supporting government in its S�hamba Sonke Programme,� De Swardt concludes.

The 7th State of Logistics� survey is available at:
www.imperiallogistics.co.za/page/industry-reports

South Africa�s logistics costs pose growth risk

Thu, 05 May 2011 13:56:51 +0200

Inefficiencies in South Africa�s logistics system, together with a consistently high total cost of logistics negatively impact the country�s global competitiveness, particularly where neighbouring countries such as Namibia and Mozambique offer more efficient, cost-effective alternatives. Business must align its focus to support public infrastructure investment and collectively tackle issues such as skills development.

Sharing findings from the 7th Annual State of Logistics� survey with Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) members today, Abrie de Swardt, IMPERIAL Logistics Marketing Director said, �Business is an important contributor to a more effective logistics system. Policy and public investment can only take us so far. It is people who operate logistics and supply chain systems and ensure that processes run smoothly.�

The survey found that South Africa�s high total cost of logistics decreased by just 1.2% between 2008 and 2009, from 14.7% to 13.5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This percentage should have been in the region of 12.5% in light of a severe decrease in the interest rate over this period, as well as the sharp drop in the price of diesel. �This figure is indicative of an underperforming logistics sector,� added de Swardt.

�Business can fast track infrastructure development through partnering with the public sector on developmental projects, financially and through providing intellectual capital. As infrastructure is invested in, so our people need to be invested in to deliver heightened capacity on all fronts,� he said.

A broader, highly skilled expertise base is critical. �Companies must align business strategy to embrace developmental priorities and policies, whilst meeting their own skills and talent development needs,� said de Swardt.

�Our country must maintain its reputation as being Africa�s strategic business destination through consistent delivery of logistics-related benefits,� he said. �If not addressed more effectively by business, the lack of South Africa�s skills base is a time bomb. We need to get more involved with the SETAs, industry bodies and academia.�

Ruan Jordaan, BUSA Trade and Economic Policy Coordinator noted that as the country continues to see higher demand for commodities such as base and precious metals, business must leverage the appropriate transportation mode, such as rail for coal and iron-ore. �Logistics and supply chain management are critical for our competitiveness, as bottlenecks and backlogs hamper economic growth and raise costs,� he said.

De Swardt pointed to the fact that new transport corridors have emerged, especially between Asia and Africa, Asia and South America as well as intra-Asian corridors. �South Africa risks losing volumes north of the Limpopo. Countries such as Zambia are switching cargo because our own internal system is not up to speed.�

He concluded, �Skilled people, coupled with excellent infrastructure and use of the appropriate technology can ensure sustainability within our logistics offering. When it comes to upskilling people, South Africa needs a triple strategy that closes the gap between school and tertiary level education, as well as business,� he concluded.

The 7th Annual State of Logistics� e-book can be downloaded at http://www.imperiallogistics.co.za/csirebook/. Produced by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Stellenbosch University and IMPERIAL Logistics, it covers topics of �green� logistics, �extra distance� measurement, deteriorating road quality and benefit-cost analysis, supply chain risk management, the skills issue and rural logistics.

�

Commerce Edge acquisition bolsters IMPERIAL Logistics procurement training capabilities

Tue, 24 May 2011 07:48:20 +0200

Johannesburg, 23 May 2011 � Supply chain specialist and member company of IMPERIAL Logistics, Volition has acquired a majority stake in leading procurement training and education company, Commerce Edge. The deal enables further international expansion for Commerce Edge while strengthening IMPERIAL Logistics� procurement intellectual capital and capacity, as well as training assets.

�This relationship allows us to offer a broader value proposition to the market, from the assessment and development of procurement human capital to the provision of specialist procurement advisory services and operational execution,� says Marius Swanepoel, CEO of IMPERIAL Logistics.

There is strong alignment between Volition and Commerce Edge. Both companies have clients in Africa and the Middle East, through which a strengthened expansion focus is enabled. �The combination of specialist skills and intellectual property generates a compelling supply chain education service offering,� he says.

Commerce Edge, a leading provider of procurement education and training solutions in Africa was the first international study centre in South Africa to be appointed by the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS). The Commerce Edge Academy assists students to complete various CIPS qualifications through a blend of tutor-enabled learning and classroom tutorials.

�Procurement is moving forward as a critical supply chain enabler, and fulfils a strategic role in ensuring sustainable organisational performance,� says Bernie van Niekerk, Commerce Edge CEO. �Through programmes such as our World-Class Procurement series, we work with the procurement community to tighten systems and heighten efficiencies.� Since its inception ten years ago, the company has developed a world-class virtual classroom and best practice e-learning system.

Van Niekerk says that Commerce Edge is proud to have joined a global group such as IMPERIAL Logistics. �Volition�s innovation is unparalleled. Together, we can generate solutions that create, improve, manage and retain scarce and critical talent,� he adds.

Volition is a renowned Business Process Outsource (BPO) specialist, with blue chip customers such as brandhouse, Absa, BMW, Cadbury, Clover Sasol, and Toyota. To date, Commerce Edge has delivered services to more than 300 organisations, including brands such as Exxaro, Gold Fields, MTN and Standard Bank and key public sector entities at all spheres of Government.

�We launched www.smartprocurement.co.za in 2004, which today has 23 000 readers. In 2008, we hosted the first SmartProcurement Annual Conference, which continues to grow year-on-year,� says van Niekerk. Smart Procurement World South Africa 2011 takes place between 11th and 13th October 2011.

He adds that through the partnership, Commerce Edge aims to further expand its training and education services beyond procurement. �Our training methodologies can be applied within the broader logistics and supply chain context. Our focus includes logistics, warehousing, manufacturing, sales and operations planning and sales. We also recently launched a leadership programme.�

�This acquisition brings together two dynamic companies. The combination offers the private and public sectors extensive possibilities through which to address significant skills development challenges facing South Africa,� concludes Swanepoel.

IMPERIAL Logistics transforms dumpsite to �green logistics� landmark

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 16:07:28 +0200

Johannesburg, 2nd June 2011 � This week has seen all systems go for IMPERIAL Cargo, as the new Paarl-based headquarters switched on to solar power and opened the valves of its self-sufficient water treatment plant. The move to renewable energy, working with the natural elements and re-use of wash water coincides with World Environment Day celebrations, which take place on 5th June 2011.

In just two years, IMPERIAL Cargo, a member company of IMPERIAL Logistics has transformed what was a dumpsite into a �green logistics� landmark site. �The headquarters, which comprise an office building for 120 employees, a 2,000 m� warehouse, wash bay and workshop with nine bays harness natural power, light and ventilation,� says Abrie de Swardt, IMPERIAL Logistics Marketing Director.

At this point in time, IMPERIAL Cargo has one of the largest photovoltaic installations in the Western Cape. �The solar power system will generate and deliver in excess of 30,461 KWh annually. The company�s Greenfields project has enabled clean, renewable energy usage at the site for the next 20 years,� he says.

Investment in renewable energy infrastructure is one way in which IMPERIAL Logistics is leading the green logistics evolution. De Swardt explains that everything about IMPERIAL Cargo�s green logistics hub has been well thought through, with each of the natural elements having been leveraged in an integrated manner.

For example, due to the office�s east-west orientation, no desk in the whole building is positioned more than 1.5 m from a window. Through use of natural ventilation, staff do not need to switch on air conditioners, which also only start up based on a preset temperature.

�The result of the project is one of transformation of an existing dumping ground to a productivity hub that works with the often erratic Paarl climate, to produce not only the required amount of energy, but a surplus,� he adds. �Over and above water cost savings generated by the on-site water treatment plant, the most critical saving lies in the reduction of water consumption and the limited amount of water that is contaminated and released back into the environment.�

�Renewable energy has significant potential that is not yet being effectively harnessed in supply chains,� comments de Swardt. �Consider the way in which electricity consumption for lighting purposes can be decreased simply by leveraging natural light in a warehouse. Or the way in which water run-off from a warehouse roof can be stored for vehicle wash bay usage. Use of solar power in South Africa can essentially provide energy for free, post payback period. In buildings, motion sensors are able to automatically switch off lights and air conditioners in empty offices.�

Further �green logistics� initiatives implemented at IMPERIAL Logistics include its investment in South Africa�s first Euro5 fleet and zero emission refrigeration technology such as the eco-fridge. It also covers the Group�s renowned �extra distance� studies through which supply chain wastage is eliminated.

�Future generations will be impacted by the business decisions we take today,� he notes, citing budding young engineer and winner of this year�s United Nations WED blog competition, Ximena Prugue�s, winner. She said, �A few days ago, I read about World Environment Day (which is sort of like Earth Day, just taken a little more seriously than just leaf-shaped cookies in the cafeteria) and this year�s theme is Forests: Nature at your Service. It�s June 5, which is actually the same day Elvis swung his hips to his release of �Hound Dog� making it perfectly appropriate for world-altering events, right? � So I�m sure you�re thinking, �well � what am I supposed to do about it?� � Listen kids, it�s called GLOBAL warming because climate change anywhere in the world affects all of us.�

�Together with the various IMPERIAL Logistics initiatives, resource conservation and related behavioral change by our 16,000 employees in southern Africa and almost 2,500 internationally can certainly make a big difference to future generations,� concludes de Swardt.

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IMPERIAL Logistics wins prestigious Mail and Guardian award

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 07:49:14 +0200

Global leader in logistics and supply chain management, IMPERIAL Logistics has won the Mail and Guardian Greening the Future award for innovative environmental strategies that improve business performance. The Group�s focus on supply chain best practice demonstrates that logistics delivers operational and economic benefits, while limiting carbon footprint and waste.

�We have a limited earth problem,� says Abrie de Swardt, IMPERIAL Logistics Marketing Director. �We no longer have enough supply left to match our demand and it is going to get a lot worse. By 2100, we will need three more earths to satisfy our requirements,� adding that IMPERIAL Logistics� �green logistics� evolution is being driven� at an economic level, both strategically and operationally.

�We are not only doing these things because it is of great importance to us but because it makes economic sense. Cost and carbon can be driven out of the supply chain simultaneously. The logistics and supply chain management sector must find ways to balance supply and demand more effectively. It is to the benefit of the South African and global economies to do this,� he says.

IMPERIAL Logistics� green initiatives include distribution network optimisation, route optimisation, reduced vehicle emissions, reduced fuel consumption, improved refrigeration, renewable energy roll-out and water usage reduction.

The Mail and Guardian quotes the Greening the Future judges saying that IMPERIAL Logistics� �entry was technical and frank� being a �strong entry with a holistic approach to the whole life cycle of its operations.� It states that �IMPERIAL is setting a good benchmark� and that the judges were �impressed by the positioning of the Group�s environmental efforts at the cutting edge of international research, and within the context of the Millennium Development Goals.�

�We must move to a world where despite our differences, we trust one another much more,� notes de Swardt, citing business leadership as a being critical to succeed in greening supply chains. �Companies should be asking themselves whether they are part of the problem or the solution. They should be assessing how to collaborate and whether they have the necessary elements to drive the required new way of thinking. Only then can the green business case stand firmly on its feet.�

Emphasising the need to balance economic growth, social needs and environmental protection in a sustainable manner, he states that it is an honour for IMPERIAL Logistics to be recognised by the Mail and Guardian�s prestigious Greening the Future awards, �which encourage business to achieve success today with a strategy for tomorrow.�

�We owe it to the future generation to embrace this topic. If we do not change our behaviour, we cannot change the bad practices that exist in supply chains. The �green logistics� evolution is not about global warming but about doing the right thing. It is about real people driving real change,� concludes De Swardt.

IMPERIAL Logistics expands Eastern European footprint

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 15:20:49 +0200

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IMPERIAL Logistics International subsidiary, Panopa has expanded its Eastern European operations, establishing Panopa Logistik Magyar Kft in Kecskem�t, Hungary after being awarded the empties management contract by a blue chip global automobile manufacturer. Volumes are estimated to exceed 1.5 million containers annually.

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Panopa�s automotive logistics solutions are used by vehicle manufacturers in Germany, England, France, Poland, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and South Africa. This contract sees the manufacturer�s first vehicles of a successor generation scheduled to roll off the line in 2012.�

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R�my Hoeffler, CEO of Panopa Logistik Polska explained, �Through this contract, Panopa is responsible to centrally collect, clean, bundle and sort the returnable containers in which material is supplied directly to the line before they are provided to the suppliers again. By means of a barcode, the empties can be identified and traced along the supply chain.��

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�Panopa has a trusted reputation in specialist logistics and supply chain management within the automotive steel, machinery production, plant engineering and transport management sectors,� said Abrie de Swardt, IMPERIAL Logistics Marketing Director, noting that IMPERIAL Logistics International has proven its resilience during the economic downturn in which Europe, one of its primary markets, was particularly hard hit.�

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Kecskem�t will not remain the only location for Panopa�s Hungarian expansion focus. The company has opened an office in Gy�r, 130 kilometres west of Budapest, where Audi produces engines as well as assembles the TT and the A3 convertible. �We see Hungary as a major growth market,� concluded Hoeffler.

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IMPERIAL Logistics acquires InSync. Oils automotive offering.

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 13:49:09 +0200

IMPERIAL Logistics, a global leader in logistics and supply chain management has acquired 60% of automotive logistics and supply chain specialist, InSync Solutions. Following the establishment of Panopa locally in 2010, the union further entrenches IMPERIAL Logistics� service offering to the automotive industry with particularly time sensitive and accuracy-driven logistics needs.

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InSync contributes to IMPERIAL Logistics being a trusted Logistics Service Provider (LSP) to the automotive sector, through design and operational solutions that improve vehicle production speed and control at reduced cost and risk. The company will operate within the IMPERIAL Logistics Consumer Products division and will report into member company, IMPERIAL Distribution.

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�InSync enables IMPERIAL Logistics to deliver a comprehensive solution to the automotive industry from a basis of industry understanding, robust Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) relationships and blue chip customer experience,� says Heinrich Strauss, MD of IMPERIAL Distribution.

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He says that the company�s operational and consulting track record is excellent. �Its strengths lie in delivery of integrated and synchronised logistics solutions for complex requirements. It is known by OEMs for its logistics solutions design and development, and the ability to implement complete solutions.�

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Between 2008 and 2010, InSync participated in a consulting role on a project at Volkswagen Group South Africa. The task was to create a synchronised plant logistics process that could meet the high speed production cycle of the New Polo line. The team achieved the goal of supplying at a line speed of 2.4 minutes vs. the previous Polo at 6.5 minutes cycle time. This was a major step for Volkswagen Group South Africa towards its goal of becoming a world class automotive plant in South Africa.

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InSync�s customers also include Mercedes, Tiger Wheel & Tyre, Midas and Hyundai. �In the automotive sector, purchasing is becoming a global activity that requires local executive ability. IMPERIAL Logistics provides us with global reach, which is imperative within such market dynamics,� says Niel Cronje, MD of InSync.

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Cronje, who was previously Vice President of Production Control and Logistics at Toyota refers to the need for greater logistics service offering integration for OEMs. �A group such as IMPERIAL Logistics can deliver this,� he says. �We are looking forward to sharing best practice and solution design approaches with Panopa International and IMPERIAL Logistics International, whose Just-In-Time logistics track record to brands such as BMW, General Motors, Mercedes Benz and Volkswagen is impressive.�

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Strauss adds that InSync understands OEMs at a senior level and is able to translate strategic intent into supply chain design and operations. �From warehouse layout, equipment, process and systems design to implementation � the team understands the intricacies of the sector and has a hands-on approach to its consulting offering. In this way, they really become part of the customers� management team,� he says.

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�We are excited about the growth opportunity that we have through becoming an IMPERIAL Logistics member company. We can now offer much more comprehensive solutions to our customers as we have access to substantial local and international resources and support. This we believe will realise exceptional value for our customers,� concludes Cronje.�

First time passes for IMPERIAL Logistics CIMA graduates

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 07:15:42 +0200

Johannesburg, 10 August 2011 � Four Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) learners within the IMPERIAL Logistics Graduate Development Programme recently passed the TOPCIMA exam, first time round. The CIMA Learnership is a registered workplace programme by FASSET, the SETA responsible for the Accounting, Finance and Management sectors.

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IMPERIAL Logistics, a registered CIMA training partner takes in new Financial Management or Financial Accounting graduates annually. The Group currently has 27 graduates in the process of completing the three-year qualification. Once qualified, graduates skills include corporate finance, taxation, business evaluation and strategy, management accounting, budgeting and forecasting, working capital control as well as statutory and regulatory reporting.�

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�The TOPCIMA exam is a tough feat to achieve. It is great news when people pass on the first attempt,� said Abrie de Swardt, IMPERIAL Logistics Marketing Director. �Our Graduate Development provides CIMA learners with support and tuition that enables them to succeed in the qualification,� adding that all areas of study within the Graduate Programme are complemented with management development training. ��

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Launched in 2008, the Graduate Development Programme is �IMPERIAL Logistics' flagship skills development programme�, which he said significantly strengthens the Group�s position as an 'Employer of Choice�. It provides graduate achievers, fresh from tertiary institutions, with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience within a global leader in logistics and supply chain management.

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Graduates are placed at the various IMPERIAL Logistics member companies, where they rotate through functional areas in order to facilitate a general management overview of the business. De Swardt added that a mentor (senior manager within the same discipline) is appointed to guide each learner through the process and to ensure that all practical learning requirements are met. �Through this pragmatic, formal mentorship, graduates are provided with a critical dimension in shaping their career path,� he said.�

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IMPERIAL Logistics was nominated in the CIMA Annual Awards 2010 in the category Unlocking Business Intelligence, acknowledging the CIMA trainees for innovation in rolling-out a Business Intelligence programme. It was also acknowledged within the 2011 SAPICS Education Excellence Awards for its investment in its people.

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�We are proud of these successful TOPCIMA learners: Imraan Jalal, Marzanne de Wet, Chryzanthia de Waal and Ernst van Aaarde, who are now in the process of completing the practical requirements in order to register as a Chartered Management Accountant,� concluded de Swardt. �

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Bitter recessionary aftertaste

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 14:09:45 +0200

Part I: Logistics capacity constraints

Logistics capacity constraints in the United States (US), one indicator of the pace of economic recovery continue to point to the prolonged aftermath of the Recession. At the same time, such constraints pressurise logistics and supply chain management businesses globally as the Western World continues to struggle with sovereign debt and markets fear a second recession. �

According to Roslyn Wilson, author of the CSCMP�s 22nd Annual State of Logistics Report�, �The recession had a devastating effect on total industry capacity, which is much lower than it was in 2007. The recovery is not being felt evenly throughout the economy and 2010 did little to shore up precarious carriers who have been hanging on hoping to be rescued by a resurgence in the economy.� �

Common capacity focus

�In this challenging climate, tight management of fleet capacity has been a common focus for carriers in the USA,� said Abrie de Swardt, IMPERIAL Logistics Marketing Director. In its Q2 earnings statement, US carrier Werner stated that capacity in the industry �remains constrained by both economic and safety/regulatory factors. From 2007 to 2010, the number of new trucks purchased was well below historical replacement levels.�

Validating this perspective, the Annual State of Logistics Report� ascertained that �total industry capacity has suffered during the economic downturn, with more than 16% of truck capacity permanently removed since 2006.� It stated that volumes have only recovered about half the recession losses, yet industry capacity, particularly in truck and air, is close to being fully engaged.�

�Donald Broughton of Avondale Partners estimate that more than 3 000 trucking firms have declared bankruptcy in the past three years, a loss of 13% of industry capacity. The report notes that this included only carriers with at least five trucks, so the number is actually much higher,� he said.

People capacity priority

�Carriers are also finding it tough not only to retain drivers, but to source new drivers,� added de Swardt. The report finds that the trucking sector has experienced the largest decrease in employees in the industry, with a loss of 13.4% of the workforce over the last four years.

�Of concern to US market stability, it finds that 16 percent of US truck drivers are over the age of 55 and less than one quarter are under the age of 35. These demographics do not bode well for a sustainable US logistics sector,� he said.�

Locally, he added, �skills shortages continue to be a critical �make or break� factor for the competitiveness level of our logistics offering. Just as drivers are a very valuable resource within the US context, so they are within South Africa.� De Swardt refers to driver training undertaken recently for 37 IMPERIAL Logistics drivers that has resulted in more sustainable, cost effective driver behavior.�

Modules completed by drivers included a three-day intensive Mercedes-Benz Advanced Driver Training, SETA Accredited Assessor Training, and Effective Use of MB Vehicles and FleetBoard Analysis. �On-going training is also undertaken at operating company level, with member companies Tanker Services and Freightmax being accredited with the Transport SETA for driver training and registered with the Department of Transport for Dangerous Goods training,� he said.�

US market commentary

The ailing state of the US economy was commented on by Wilson. On publishing the report in June 2011, she noted that it appears that the economy is stalling, stating: �It has been close to two years since the recession was pronounced over but for many Americans, things have not improved.��

Her view of the US economic prospects was spot on in light of national debt reaching 100 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in August 2011: �The economy has been in a fragile state for close to four years now and the highly touted recovery in some sectors has not generated enough momentum to cascade into other less robust sectors. � I have watched this situation developing over the last two months and have concluded that we may have hit a wall.�

�With US debt levels having topped the annual economy size last seen in World War II, capacity constraints will have to be overcome rapidly and effectively in order to spur on economic recovery. With South Africa�s markets being swayed significantly by a healthy or paling US economy, it is imperative that we manage and invest in our capacity, both assets and people wisely across all modes of transport,� concluded de Swardt.�

IMPERIAL Logistics wins Green Industry Leader award

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 10:05:14 +0200

Johannesburg, 29 August 2011 � IMPERIAL Logistics has once again been recognised for its �green logistics� evolution, this time with Marketing Director, Abrie de Swardt receiving the Green Supply Chain Industry Leadership Award 2011. The nomination was due to his far reaching work on bringing green to the supply chain both within IMPERIAL Logistics and by spreading the message broadly throughout the supply chain and business communities.

On receipt of the Industry Leader Award, de Swardt said, �We need to develop a sophisticated view of the impact that we have on the environment. We need to change our paradigm, our behavior and the way in which we look at green. I have experienced that journey in IMPERIAL Logistics.��

Speaking of the need for greater collaboration, he noted, �Whether we compete in the market, this is a great opportunity to embrace collaboration and across boundaries, work together.��

IMPERIAL Logistics is on a sustainability focused growth path that balances people, planet and profit � a factor that contributes to the Group being a leading global logistics and supply chain player. �Within IMPERIAL Logistics, there are many inspiring, collaborative examples of greening operations and customer supply chains.

Best practice formulation and application has been pioneered through introducing South Africa�s first Euro 5 specification vehicles, innovative water management system development specifically for the needs of transportation companies, �extra distance� analysis and network redesign for cutting carbon emissions and cost simultaneously as well as an investment in zero emission vehicle refrigeration that operates in complete silence � no moving parts, no harmful emissions and absolutely no noise.

Over the past two years, IMPERIAL Cargo has designed and built a self-sufficient, green Western Cape headquarters, literally transforming a dumpsite into a Logistics Service Provider (LSP) national logistics hub that showcases pragmatic use of renewable energy and a self-sufficient approach to both power generation and water management.�

�These projects,� he said �are examples of the significant scale on which companies can use clean, renewable and sustainable electrical energy, as well as the way in which better business efficiencies simultaneously enable greener operations.��

�It is initiatives such as these that translate the Group�s strategic green leadership into action,� concluded de Swardt.�

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IMPERIAL Logistics greens schools with 860 trees

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 11:21:34 +0200

IMPERIAL Logistics’ Arbour Week tree planting initiative could generate as much oxygen as 8 600 people inhale annually.

Johannesburg, 1 September 2011 – Arbour Week 2011 will see IMPERIAL Logistics, together with member companies Express Hauliers, IMPERIAL Distribution, 777 Logistics, Paltrack and Pragma plant 210 trees across Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. Trees will be planted at Tembisa’s Maphutha Secondary School and Moriting Primary School, Ekujabuleni Primary School in Pinetown and Berzelia Primary School in Cape Town.

IMPERIAL Distribution has committed to planting an additional 570 trees over the coming 12 months. IMPERIAL Cargo will be planting a further 80 trees at a separate event, bringing the total number of trees to be planted to 860 through this IMPERIAL Logistics Arbour Week initiative.

“Business has many ways in which to cut its carbon footprint, consume less water and generate energy more efficiently. Logistics Service Providers (LSPs) in particular have much to contribute to greening supply chains, which in turn has a profound impact on greening operations,” said Abrie de Swardt, Marketing Director of IMPERIAL Logistics.

IMPERIAL Logistics’ tree planting initiatives are taking place in partnership with Food & Trees for Africa, who are assisting with the procurement of trees and providing logistical support at each event.

“As producers of oxygen and food, as well as being a mechanism through which carbon dioxide is literally locked away, our environment needs more trees. It has been calculated that one mature leafy tree produces as much oxygen in a season as 10 people inhale in a year. In addition, trees help to clean our air, fight soil erosion and reduce heat levels,” he added.

“What an uncomplex, beautiful and truly effective way of greening our environment,” concluded de Swardt.

Esteemed Achiever Award for IMPERIAL Logistics Skills Development Initiatives

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 09:45:54 +0200

IMPERIAL Logistics has been awarded the Achiever Award for ‘Best Training Programme for a Large Company’, presented this year by BHP Billiton. The accolade reinforces the success of IMPERIAL Logistics’ Graduate Development programme, which provides graduate achievers with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience within a global leader in logistics and supply chain management.

IMPERIAL Logistics’ graduates operate primarily in the disciplines of Logistics, Cost and Management Accounting (CIMA), Industrial Engineering, Information Technology and HR Management. “We are exceptionally proud of the impactful career progression enabled by this programme, which has seen top tertiary institution performers careers firmly grounded and fast tracked,” said Abrie de Swardt, Marketing Director of IMPERIAL Logistics.

IMPERIAL Logistics currently has 108 graduates in training, with over 120 having completed the programme since its inception in 2008. He added that pragmatic, formal mentorship provides a critical dimension in shaping career paths.

On completion of the programme, graduates are placed either at first line or middle management level or in specialist positions. De Swardt explained, “In order to enable each graduate to successfully take on the responsibilities at these levels, a Management Development Programme is completed in parallel with the practical training.”

Tangible career progression through exposure to the industry and a Group with over 70 member companies provides IMPERIAL Logistics’ graduates with an invaluable competitive edge. “Not only do graduates gain exposure to local best practice in their field,” he said “but to international best practice.” This is enabled through the Group’s global reach, as well as its vast research-based initiatives.

Over and above the Graduate Development Programme, IMPERIAL Logistics skills development is driven through its centralised Learning Centre. “We develop our talent pipeline, through a variety of management and leadership development programmes, graduate and on-the-job development through sector-specific programmes, bursary schemes, apprenticeships, skills programmes and learnerships,” said de Swardt.

The annual Achiever Awards, coupled with the Skills Development Summit aim to set the standard in skills development. The Awards recognise companies, government departments and organisations that have shown exceptional creativity, innovation and have brought about positive change and growth in the economy.

“What an honour to be recognised within this critical South African skills development forum. Such collective discussion provides the private and public sector with starting blocks from which to kick start our pace in tackling skills shortages,” concluded de Swardt.

IMPERIAL Logistics certifies 145 learners

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 07:03:46 +0200

IMPERIAL Logistics is proud to announce that 145 learners have been certified by its Learning Centre, for the successful completion of a number of Learnerships and Skills Programmes. These include its 2011 Achiever Award winning Graduate Development Programme, as well as Learnerships aimed at learners with disabilities, Fundamentals of Management and/or Supervisory Development Programmes.�

�To date, IMPERIAL Logistics� Learnership Programme for learners with disabilities has featured 31 Black Female learners completing one of three learnerships pitched at NQF level 3. These were either the National Certificate in Business Administration, National Certificate in Freight Handling or National Certificate in Call Centre Management,� said Abrie de Swardt, IMPERIAL Logistics Marketing Director.�

�The programmes certified are long-term programmes, linked to National Qualifications, which have required significant effort from our learners. Participating member companies put in a lot of effort with the end goal being to improve logistics as a business and grow the individual,� he said. For most of the learners with disabilities, it was the first time in being exposed to the workplace.

The Group currently has 108 graduates in training, with over 120 having completed the Graduate Development Programme since its inception in 2008. This programme provides graduate achievers with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience within a global leader in logistics and supply chain management. �

The certified learners were from IMPERIAL Logistics member companies Cargo Africa, Freightmax, Goldfields Logistics, IMPERIAL Cargo Solutions, IMPERIAL Consolidated Solutions, IMPERIAL Distribution, Megafreight, P&J Botha, RP Logistics, Synchrony Logistics, Tanker Services, TFD Network Africa, The Cold Chain, Transcend Logistics, Truck Africa and Twin Trucking.

IMPERIAL Logistics� talent pipeline is developed through a variety of management and leadership development programmes, graduate and on-the-job development through sector-specific programmes, bursary schemes, apprenticeships, skills programmes and learnerships.�

The Group is a registered CIMA Training Partner and is undertaking the industrial engineering professional development programme in conjunction with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).

�People remain a critical enabler of operational and innovation excellence in logistics and supply chain management. Whether in a developing or developed market context, consistent skills development is imperative to ensure that today and tomorrow�s skills base effectively contributes to balancing processes and technology in value chains,� concluded de Swardt.�

IMPERIAL Logistics International acquires Dettmer Bulk Reederei

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 14:16:54 +0200

IMPERIAL Logistics International operating unit, IMPERIAL Reederei will become the majority shareholder of Dettmer Bulk Reederei, one of the largest family‐owned inland shipping companies in Europe. The deal, which will further strengthen IMPERIAL Logistics� position in the dry cargo shipping sector is subject to approval according to German antitrust law.

Hubert Brody, Chief Executive Officer of IMPERIAL Holdings said, �The acquisition strongly complements the service offering of IMPERIAL Reederei as well as IMPERIAL Logistics International operating unit, neska.� With turnover of 25 million Euros, six wholly owned ships and 25 chartered vessels, Dettmer Bulk Reederei is known for delivery in the dry bulk cargo shipping sector on the River Rhine, as well as in the northern German canal region.�

IMPERIAL Reederei, Europe�s leading inland waterway shipping company has the largest pushboat fleet in Western Europe. Operating through 20 subsidiaries located in Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, France and Austria, the company provides Dry Bulk Shipping, Liquid Bulk Shipping, Short-Sea Shipping and Chartering solutions.

Through multi-modal Container and Bulk terminals along the river Rhine, neska provides road, railways and inland water shipping connections from Cologne,�

D�sseldorf and Duisburg to Antwerp and Rotterdam. It delivers transhipment of approximately 8 million tons annually.

�Logistics Service Providers (LSPs) can substantially increase service delivery levels and value through effectively implementing inter-modal solutions. This approach not only balances but integrates all modes of transport, from road and rail to waterways, pipelines and air. We are looking forward to the significant value enabled through the additional capacity and expertise that the acquisition of Dettmer Reederei brings to IMPERIAL Logistics International,� Brody concluded.�

Imperial continues to trade under a cautionary relating to an unrelated offshore acquisition that is currently being contemplated.

Green IMPERIAL Logistics� landmark wins Enviro Award

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 16:30:31 +0200

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IMPERIAL Logistics member company, IMPERIAL Cargo has won the Logistics Achiever Enviro Award 2011 for its �green� national logistics hub in the Western Cape. Through this two year Greenfields project, the company designed and built a self-sufficient, green headquarters that has enabled clean, renewable energy usage at the site for the next 20 years.

�Clean energy solutions were used to design, engineer, install and commission a photovoltaic solar renewable green energy solutions to power the new headquarters, as an off grid project,� said IMPERIAL Cargo MD, Christo Theron. IMPERIAL Cargo has, at this point in time one of the largest photovoltaic installations in the province.�

�The innovation that has been shown in bringing this self-sufficient logistics hub into reality has been exciting to be a part of. We have overcome all the challenges by taking lessons from our surrounding environment and harnessing our natural resources without wastage,� he said. �We have taken real costs out of our internal systems.�

Unparalleled solar power

What was a four hectare dumpsite is now a renewable energy landmark in the Logistics sector. The site comprises state-of-the-art offices for 120 employees, 2000 m� of warehousing, as well as wash bays and workshop facilities. �Solar power usage is an important element, together with the combined use of natural elements such as building orientation and natural ventilation and lighting,� added Theron.

Located between Paarl and Wellington, a region that experiences some of South Africa�s hottest summers and heaviest rainfall in winter, IMPERIAL Cargo has harnessed the power of each of these natural resources. The office building, for example runs on electricity generated by the CES solar system on the warehouse roof. All the technology used on site therefore runs on clean power, with the solar system being able to serve as a UPS for three days even if there is no sunlight for five days.�

The technology used in the panels has the ability to work where there is reduced radiation, all the way through to direct sunlight. �Motion sensors tell the building where the people are, so lights get switched off in empty offices. On cold days when there is extra capacity within the solar system, the building switches off some air conditioning from outside grid power to the solar system,� he explained.

Critical water conservation

�Substantial water conservation was an imperative for us,� said Theron. �Over and above water cost savings generated by the on-site water treatment plant, the most critical saving lies in the reduction of water consumption and the limited amount of water that is contaminated and released back into the environment.��

An innovative water management system was designed specifically for the site. Through the system, IMPERIAL Cargo will replace significantly less water than the 50% which is expected from the municipality. Approximately only 1 m3 of water will be released into the municipal sewer per 30 m3 of water used per day. The rest will be recycled.

Investment in renewable energy infrastructure is one way in which IMPERIAL Logistics is leading the �green logistics evolution�. Marius Swanepoel, CEO of IMPERIAL Logistics concluded, �Such projects provide our industry with a blueprint, which through continuous measurement enables continuous improvement in our efficiencies � and lessens our impact on the environment.��

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Volition � Making Business Better: A Selection of Supply Chain Improvement Projects

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 10:08:18 +0200

Volition Consulting Services, a member company of IMPERIAL Logistics, is an independent supply chain specialist that offers professional services in supply chain consulting, technology enablement, managed services and education. The organisation has over the years been dedicated to making its clients� businesses better by applying the capabilities of its people and creating value for all stakeholders.

In celebration of the 8th birthday of the Volition brand, the organisation has produced a book entitled �Making Business Better: A Selection of Supply Chain Improvements Projects�. This book showcases a collection of supply chain business improvement projects managed and executed by Volition in partnership with its clients over the years.�

When IMPERIAL Logistics acquired a majority stake in Volition in 2008, the business had proven itself to be the leader in supply chain consulting and advisory services in southern Africa. Three years later the Volition ideology remains unchanged and its passion to make business better continues to be applied to clients and IMPERIAL Operating Companies alike. �It is not only the art of designing solutions but also the skill to implement that sets Volition apart,� says Hubert Brody, Chief Executive of IMPERIAL Holdings.�

He adds that, �Volition is an organisation that epitomises the sharp end of the modern organisation. It specialises in activities which require significant intellectual thought and advanced modelling. It achieves its competitive advantage through the value that it brings to its clients and has skills that can be applied to a broad range of industries where process thinking applies. This can range from financial institutions to international freight and from route planning to warehouse optimisation. Solutions are normally of a process, technology and strategic nature.�

The case studies reflected in the book have been documented in such a way to demonstrate the scale of business transformation, and range of benefits that can be achieved, without compromising the confidentiality or strategic intent of the clients involved. �In many ways, this collection paints a compelling picture of Volition�s purpose and how this has forged the business we see today,� says Dean Tebbutt, Managing Director of Volition Consulting Services.

Tebbutt says that the trusted client relationships developed over the years have played a fundamental role in overcoming not only the challenges at hand, but also in achieving sustainable improvement in their businesses. �We would like to thank our customers for trusting us with their challenges, and allowing us to assist in improving their businesses. A special word of thanks must go to all Volition�s staff members involved over the years. They have been the mainstay of these projects, displaying the typical �CAN-DO� attributes that we associate with the improvement projects we undertake,� he adds.�

�Testimony to the above are the nine Logistics Achiever�s awards which Volition, together with its clients, have received. We trust that you, the reader, will find value in this collection of case studies,� concludes Tebbutt.

IMPERIAL Logistics awarded two PMR Diamond Arrows

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 11:15:55 +0200

IMPERIAL Logistics has received two Diamond Arrow Awards at the 2011 Professional Management Review (PMR) Awards. PMR.africa has conducted its annual, national survey on FMCG Supply Chain Management Companies in South Africa. A global leader in logistics and supply chain management, the IMPERIAL Logistics Group was the highest rated in the category, Area of Specialisation.�

The PMR awards, based on an annual survey on South African FMCG supply chain management companies confirm IMPERIAL Logistics' FMCG leadership, with proven delivery in ambient, chilled and perishable route to market solutions. Companies were rated by FMCG manufacturers and suppliers based on the level of collaboration that has been achieved within supply chains.�

IMPERIAL Logistics enables reach across all major industries. Abrie de Swardt, IMPERIAL Logistics Marketing Director says, �Our objective is to consistently build lean, green, efficient and sustainable supply chains through operational dexterity, which is important in the rapidly changing FMCG context.�

Survey respondents rated companies across a range of 25 attributes including client commitment (real value adding partnerships), cost effectiveness, flexibility, competence, thoroughness and reliability, innovation and reporting. Value-added services; effective application of technology; customer, supplier and third party logistics supplier (3PL) relations; as well as performance management effectiveness were included in the survey metrics.

IMPERIAL Logistics� member company, The Cold Chain, which manages the largest basket of Chilled and Frozen Products in the South African FMCG industry was rated highest in the Chilled and Frozen Products category. It received the Diamond Arrow Award for Outstanding Performance.

�For IMPERIAL Logistics, the importance of this award lies in the customer-based rating system. A value chain is, after all only as efficient as the strength of the partnership between a company and its Logistics Service Provider (LSP),� concluded de Swardt.�

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IMPERIAL Logistics and GIBS launch Programme of Excellence

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:39:53 +0200

Top-ranked business school, The Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) and IMPERIAL Logistics, a global leader in logistics and supply chain management, have launched their Supply Chain Management and Logistics �Programme of Excellence. The initiative will provide advanced teaching and research in the fields of logistics, supply chain management and transportation management, within the context of emerging markets.

The IMPERIAL Logistics Supply Chain Management and Logistics Programme of Excellence will focus on supply chain strategy, global transportation, warehousing and distribution, manufacturing logistics and resource scheduling.

�Globally pertinent industry research will be generated through this knowledge sharing, business education and skills training platform,� said Abrie de Swardt, IMPERIAL Logistics Marketing Director, adding that what makes the Programme formidable is �both GIBS� and IMPERIAL Logistics� involvement with leading international universities and organisations in the field of supply chain management.��

�This programme,� he said �has a critical international dimension through links with leading centres in the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Africa and Europe.� Organisations include Cardiff University (Wales), Commonwealth Scientific and Research Organisation (Australia), Cranfield University (UK), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) (USA), National Catholic University of Chile (Chile), National University of Singapore, Plymouth University (UK), Strathmore University (Kenya) and Supply Chain and Logistics Institute at Georgia Tech (USA).

GIBS MBA students will be offered the Master of Business Administration (MBA) elective in logistics, supply chain and transportation management. The business school also aims to offer other specialist courses in logistics, supply chain and transportation management.

Speaking at the signing of the agreement between GIBS and IMPERIAL Logistics on Friday 30th September 2011, GIBS Director, Professor Nick Binedell said, �Efficient and effective logistics and supply chain management have proved to be a catalyst for global competitiveness and economic growth for many dynamic markets. We believe that our partnership with IMPERIAL Logistics sets the stage for us to create distinct competencies in this field, assist African businesses to gain real competitive advantages and to set the stage for economic growth and job creation.��

�GIBS has a prominence in academia and business that brings with it credibility and innovation. Renowned as a place of hard work, inspiration, insight and hope � all aimed at building South Africa�s competitiveness, we find GIBS to be like-minded. As IMPERIAL Logistics moves business and industry through innovation, inspiration and foresight, we are proud to partner with GIBS to deliver this pertinent skills development initiative to business and ultimately, to contribute to heightening South Africa�s global competitiveness through the value chain,� concluded de Swardt. �

About IMPERIAL Logistics

IMPERIAL Logistics is a global logistics and supply chain leader that moves business and industry through innovation, inspiration and foresight. Through its established Southern African and International divisions, IMPERIAL Logistics� service delivery comprises fundamental logistics and end-to-end supply chain management solutions to blue chip customers in almost every industry. As a preferred logistics outsource provider, IMPERIAL Logistics positions itself as an extension of its customer�s business, building its customer�s brand alongside its own. IMPERIAL Logistics Southern Africa is a multi-branded business, categorised into five key divisions, namely Transport and Warehousing, Consumer Products, Specialised Freight, Integration Services and Africa. IMPERIAL Logistics International comprises four operating units, namely Panopa Logistik, neska, IMPERIAL Reederei and Brouwer Shipping. For further information, please visit www.imperiallogistics.co.za.

About GIBS

Founded in 2000, GIBS is an internationally accredited business school based in Johannesburg, South Africa�s economic hub. As the �business school for business�, GIBS purpose is to significantly improve the competitive performance of individuals and organisations through business education. Consistently rated as one of the top business schools in South Africa, in May 2010, GIBS was again ranked as one of the top business schools globally by the prestigious Financial Times, the only African business school to be placed in the top 50 business schools worldwide for executive education programmes. This is the seventh year running that GIBS has achieved this accolade.�

In addition to two world-class, internationally accredited MBA programmes (including a full-time Entrepreneurship MBA), GIBS offers a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA); a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration (PDBA); a certificate Programme for Management Development (PMD); a number of executive development courses, including the premier Global Executive Development Programme (GEDP); and in-house company specific programmes designed to meet the client�s needs. Over and above the traditional business school offering, GIBS also offers the Centre for Leadership and Dialogue, a series of programmes aimed at bringing together the emerging and current leadership of South Africa to create a shared vision necessary for the building of a successful nation.�

GIBS is accredited by the Association of MBAs, the Council for Higher Education and is a member of the South African Business Schools Association, the Association of African Business Schools and the European Academy of Business in Society.

Global TRUCKERMANIA ranks IMPERIAL Logistics

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 12:11:49 +0200

IMPERIAL Logistics drivers, Pieter Adriaanse and Basil Bailey, consecutively winner and runner up of the South African leg of the 9th FleetBoard Drivers League or �TRUCKERMANIA� represented the country against 23 drivers from 12 countries. The IMPERIAL Logistics Refrigerated Services drivers ranked 11th and 25th in over 9,000 drivers from the Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Qatar, Romania, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland and UK.�

The Daimler economical driving competition saw all finalists drive Euro 6 vehicles for the first time. Competing for a second year, Adriaanse improved his ranking by five places. According to the Fleetboard Drivers� League, �The drivers from Great Britain and South Africa, who were used to right-hand vehicles, demonstrated their proficiency at the highest level.�

Drivers were rated on factors such as preventative driving style, speed change and braking behaviour, all of which counted towards the �economical handling of the truck�. The competition was also a test of sportsmanship. The challenge comprised four exercises including a 30km tour on Germany�s public roads, as well as �economy in town�, �Actros construction rough terrain� and �speed perception without view� tests.

�TRUCKERMANIA is a stringent test of a driver�s technical skills and concentration, as well as their ability to drive accurately under pressure. Time and fuel efficiency are measured through the Fleetboard device fitted to each vehicle,� says Dennis Jolliffe, Driver Instructor at IMPERIAL Logistics Refrigerated Services, noting that use of the device in the company�s local Euro 5 fleet enables on-going driver training and skills improvement.�

He explains, the �economy in town� test, for example requires the driver to navigate around five traffic cones that are placed over 200m, each placed 40m apart � having picked up speed above 40km/h between each one. The �speed perception without view� test involved estimating speed despite an obscured speedometer.�

�It is important to acknowledge the importance of driver skills in the logistics and supply chain management industry,� says Abrie de Swardt, IMPERIAL Logistics Marketing Director. �We focus strongly on investing in our driving force to get them to the top of their game � and keep them there.� Eight of the top ten drivers in the local leg of TRUCKERMANIA were from IMPERIAL Logistics Refrigerated Services, with Group member companies Tanker Services and IMPERIAL Cargo drivers featuring in the top 25.

The IMPERIAL Logistics Driver Academy does continuous in-house driver training and through Driver Learnerships, unemployed learners can obtain their Code EC license after which they can complete their National Certificate in Professional Driving modules. �Not only does driver training ensure cost savings for companies, but it provides �green� benefits through the reduction of harmful CO₂ emission,� he adds.

�We have immense pride in the on-going improvement that drivers within our fleets are making. Pieter and Basil�s achievements, as are those of all our participating drivers is proof that many of South Africa�s drivers have excellent skills that can positively impact safety on our roads and contribute to heightened supply chain efficiencies,� concludes de Swardt. �

Passionate staff and clients power e-Logics past first decade

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 21:10:45 +0200

Technology integration specialist, e-Logics has achieved average growth of 60% in annual revenue and a 641% increase in staff complement over its first decade in business. Milestones include securing its first contract in Africa (2006), USA-based e-Logics Inc. launch (2009) and IMPERIAL Logistics becoming a 51% shareholding in the company (2010).

�e-Logics, which focuses on Supply Chain Management, Traffic Management and Asset Management is a story of people with passion,� said Johann van der Westhuizen, e-Logics Managing Director, speaking at the company�s ten-year celebration customer event. �Our successes to date, which include being the smallest company to be featured as a Best Employer in South Africa for 2011/12 are a tribute to the quality and commitment of our people.�

According to the Best Employer 2011/12 survey, e-Logics excellence lies in it offering employees a fast-paced and stimulating working environment, as well as challenging project work. �Employees are valued,� notes the survey which characterises e-Logics as a �small company with big heart� and indicates that the company has the scope and stability of large organisations.

�Driven by a relatively small staff of passionate and highly motivated people with exceptional skills and expertise, e-Logics is a company with a �can do� attitude,� the survey states.

Van der Westhuizen added that client loyalty has been a significant driver behind e-Logics� consistent, strong growth. �Becoming part of IMPERIAL Logistics has allowed us to place great emphasis on maintaining our close client relationships and loyal client base. What we are proud of is that our initial customers are our customers today,� he says. These clients include Transnet Freight Rail, Clover and Pick �n Pay.

e-Logics, explained van der Westhuizen is an application solutions provider with extended software development and process outsource service offerings. The company focuses on transport, supply chain as well as asset management functions and views its domain expertise in these areas as a major competitive advantage. Solutions range from traffic information systems, toll, fuel and compliance management, intelligence logistics; demand and replenishment management to mobility, production and inventory management and asset performance analysis.

Best overall solution. Awesome team, never let me down, said Jason Brits, Regional Manager at Pick n Pay Online.

�Our purpose is to positively influence and improve the business of our clients through technology solutions that work. We want to make a tangible difference through pursuing opportunities and the value we can create from these. We are looking forward to going beyond what we have delivered in the past,� concluded van der Westhuizen.
�
About eLogics
e-Logics is a South African based provider of customised technology-based process planning, optimisation, automation and analysis solutions. The company, a Microsoft Gold Certified ISV Partner as well as Oracle Partner has a ten year track record, having maintained long-term partnerships with companies in the retail, transportation, media and communications, manufacturing, mining, property and services sectors. Clients include Pick �n Pay, the South African Department of Transport (DoT), Media24, Anglo Platinum, Anglogold Ashanti, Transnet, South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) and Metrorail. e-Logics� customisation approach not only avoids the pitfall of �one solution fits all� but enhances the integration of logistics service delivery, with the company continuing to deliver dynamic solutions aligned to the specific needs of each client. For further information, please visit www.e-logics.co.za.

About IMPERIAL Logistics
IMPERIAL Logistics is a global logistics and supply chain leader that moves business and industry through innovation, inspiration and foresight. Through its established Southern African and International divisions, IMPERIAL Logistics� service delivery comprises fundamental logistics and end-to-end supply chain management solutions to blue chip customers in almost every industry. As a preferred logistics outsource provider, IMPERIAL Logistics positions itself as an extension of its customer�s business, building its customer�s brand alongside its own. IMPERIAL Logistics Southern Africa is a multi-branded business, categorised into five key divisions, namely Transport and Warehousing, Consumer Products, Specialised Freight, Integration Services and Africa. IMPERIAL Logistics International comprises four operating units, namely Panopa Logistik, neska, IMPERIAL Reederei and Brouwer Shipping. For further information, please visit www.imperiallogistics.co.za.

IMPERIAL Logistics makes the Fresh Connection

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 15:20:00 +0200

In an industry where continuous improvement is increasingly a Key Performance Indicator (KPI), online supply chain management competition, the Fresh Connection provides professionals with an effective learning and testing ground. IMPERIAL Logistics teams finished in first, third and fourth place respectively. A team from Volition Consulting Services, a member of the IMPERIAL Logistics Group won the inaugural competition.

�Fresh Connection participants benefit from a steep learning curve. They experience what it is like to design and manage a modern supply chain. How to make a strategy work in practice. How to convince teammates with thorough analyses, without getting lost in details. They learn how to cooperate and make decisions with the entire supply chain in mind, instead of just their own department,� says Abrie de Swardt, IMPERIAL Logistics Marketing Director. �These key learnings have directly impacted our peoples� ability to deliver tangible value add solutions to customers.�

SAPICS recently announced the launch of its 2012 competition. The student category that is being introduced in the 2012 competition is an important dimension within the game. 2011 winning Volition team player, Dewald Opperman notes that the Fresh Connection �presents real world scenarios and real numbers,� which he says generate an accurate scenario that enables relevant analysis. �We dealt with declining overall market, costly and unreliable suppliers and a CEO promising the world to the market,� he adds.

Volition competed in the international finals held in Italy recently, going head to head against participants from Australia, Germany, The Netherland and UK.

��The combination of analytical skills, operational experience and teamwork that harnesses peoples� individual strengths enables supply chain management excellence,� concludes de Swardt. �We look forward to leverage our skills and experience in the upcoming Fresh Connection Game.�

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IMPERIAL launches the I-Pledge road safety campaign to make South Africa�s roads safer and friendlier

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:49:02 +0200

IMPERIAL Holdings launched its I-Pledge road safety campaign to the media, government, transport and road safety stakeholders in Sandton on the 8th of November 2011. Minister of Transport Dr Sibusiso Ndebele gave a keynote address and road safety and transport experts took part in a panel discussion.

South Africa is facing a seemingly insurmountable challenge when it comes to entrenching a culture of safe, educated and courteous road use and automotive and logistics group IMPERIAL truly believes that for any change to happen and to be sustainable, there needs to a personal attitude and behaviour shift in the hearts and minds of people using the roads every day – be they pedestrians, bus and truck drivers, motorists, cyclists or bikers.

Tak Hiemstra, IMPERIAL’s executive director for strategic development, shared the background to the campaign: “We are committing significant resources to the I-Pledge campaign and received overwhelming support from all concerned. It also united our employees across our 145 companies behind a common cause and our vision of a company that really cares.”

Safety starts at home
Positioned around the statement ‘Safer, friendlier roads start with you’, the campaign was introduced to employees in July, demonstrating that before IMPERIAL could seek to ‘change South Africa’, it needed to get the support of its own employees. Since then the I-Pledge counter has amassed over 25,400 pledges.

“The essence of the campaign is that road safety starts with every one of us. As a group, we started with ourselves by encouraging our employees to personally pledge their commitment to better behaviour on the roads. It made a real difference in our attitudes. We are now driving a campaign to the South African public to change their behaviour as well,” said Hiemstra.

Addressing the issue of road safety together
Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele said, “In South Africa, road crashes result in at least 40 deaths every day, 1000 deaths every month and about 14 000 a year, leaving scores injured. Globally, road crashes account for 1.3 million deaths. The carnage is estimated to cost more than R60 billion to our domestic economy. Clearly this is a cost we can least afford.”

“With the launch of the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020, road safety is now a global challenge. The Department of Transport wants to form solid partnerships with organised labour, business, the religious communities, civil society and other organisations to address the issue.

“The Department of Transport is proud to partner with IMPERIAL and the I-Pledge campaign. IMPERIAL has engaged with numerous stakeholders in the road, transport and safety arenas and has recently joined hands with the Department of Transport as a Friend of the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020.”

Panel discussion further highlights the need for collaboration
Facilitated by talk show host, Kieno Kammies, the I-Pledge panel discussion invited the inputs of Dr Lawrence Barit (a specialist on the influence of drugs, alcohol and illness on a driver's ability and road safety research); Dave Johnston (driver training instructor); July Msiza (deputy president of the South African National Taxi Council); Collins Letsoalo (acting CEO for the Road Traffic Management Corporation); and Andy Visser (PR and communications manager of N3 Toll Concession and a steering committee member of Women in Road Safety); and Rev. Themba Vundla (chief director for Road Safety for the National Department of Transport).

How to take the I-Pledge
• Visit www.ipledge.co.za and make your commitment to be safer and friendlier on our roads.
• Keep updated and help advocate for safer, friendlier roads by following @IPledgeZA on Twitter and the I-Pledge group on Facebook.

IMPERIAL Cargo scores RTMS accreditation

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 07:08:20 +0200

IMPERIAL Cargo, a member of the IMPERIAL Logistics Group has received Road Traffic Management System (RTMS) accreditation for its Consol fleet, which is indicative of sustainable, high standards in driver behavior and fleet maintenance. The company achieved an overloading ratio of just 0.04%, which equates to two incidents out of every 4,564 trips.

IMPERIAL Cargo has been on a ongoing drive to maintain the highest levels in operational excellence, which is now measured quantitatively through RTMS accreditation. �This complements our commitment to the recently launched IMPERIAL I-Pledge campaign, which aims to create a road user culture of courtesy to make our roads safer and friendlier,� says Christo Theron, IMPERIAL Cargo Managing Director.

To date, I-Pledge has called on IMPERIAL employees to take responsibility for their behavior on the road and be more considerate of other drivers and pedestrians. �IMPERIAL�s 35,000 people in South Africa could make a big difference,� he says. More than 25,400 employees have taken the I-Pledge across the IMPERIAL Group.

Linking IMPERIAL Cargo�s RTMS audit path with I-Pledge, Theron says, �RTMS measures loyalty and dedication to customers, staff and national legislation compliance through load control, driver wellness and vehicle fitness � all factors that impact the way in which we, as a Logistics Service Provider behave on the road.�

These requirements, including an annual surveillance audit and a three monthly follow up minimise vehicle accidents or breakdowns and ensure load safety with on-time delivery every time, all the time. �Driver training,� he notes �is a business imperative to ensure on-going compliance with RTMS best practice. In our experience too, accreditation lifts the morale of our drivers through the focus on driver wellness.�

Commenting on IMPERIAL Cargo�s RTMS accreditation to date, Abrie de Swardt, IMPERIAL Logistics Marketing Director says, �IMPERIAL Cargo confirmed its forward thinking approach by its RTMS accreditation. This achievement depicts the commitment of the organisation to be at the forefront of developments in road freight. The consistent implementation of the standard demonstrates the excellent operational practices in place.�

IMPERIAL Cargo, which provides line haul and local transportation and warehousing across southern Africa is investing in the accreditation process for all of its 15 fleets. �This voluntary audit process is a high priority for us. Tightly managed operations enable us to positively impact people, planet and profit,� concludes Theron.

About IMPERIAL Cargo
In addition to IMPERIAL Cargo, the IMPERIAL Cargo Group comprises four synergistic operating companies, namely IMPERIAL Cargo Namibia, Atlantis, Dekson Transport and National Transport Services. IMPERIAL Cargo provides line haul and local transportation and warehousing across South Africa and Namibia, including cross border transportation to Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland. The company also handles containers in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. It has established expertise in transport broking, consolidation inter-modal transport and supply chain management. IMPERIAL Cargo also has access to a number of support service companies that offer integrated IT solutions, anti-hijacking and tracking services. For further information, please visit http://www.imperialcargowesterncape.co.za/.

COP17 � Just another battle of wills?

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 07:53:21 +0200

The upcoming COP17 meeting being held in Durban finds South Africa needing to mediate issues of financing, development of and access to clean technologies. Multiple, contradictory agendas could, however unnecessarily complicate the process and for the host country, sustainability policies and commitments will feel the heat of the spotlight.

This is according to IMPERIAL Logistics Chief Executive Officer, Marius Swanepoel who says that the country�s sustainability reality will be on display. �Voluntarily or involuntarily, the pressure is here.� South African business though, he states �offers some good examples of innovation in driving down carbon emissions and the use of renewable energy. We must use the opportunity to share what is working in southern Africa.�

�Transformation to greener business starts in the supply chain,� says Swanepoel, who views sustainability as an economic imperative. �For sustainability strategies, the supply chain is the �make or break� zone, he says, adding that there are cost reduction opportunities by adopting the core sustainability practices of thrift, efficiency and reliability.

Purely from a supply chain perspective, consider the way in which electricity consumption for lighting purposes can be decreased by leveraging natural light in a warehouse. Or the way in which water run-off from a warehouse roof can be stored for vehicle wash bay usage. Use of solar power in South Africa can essentially provide energy for free, post payback period.

At this stage, there are still more questions than answers when it comes to the value that COP17 will deliver to resolving responsibilities and moving forward. Logistics and supply chain management players, says Swanepoel must play their part in not only committing to cutting carbon emissions but using renewable energy effectively and consuming less scarce resources.

�As business, we need to fight and win the smaller battles in order to win the war on climate change. A focus on making meaningful progress in specific areas, particularly co-operative development of affordable clean technologies has good potential,� says Swanepoel.��

On issues of finance, COP17 must get tackle operational issues relating to the Green Climate Fund. �Especially considering recent findings that just �eight percent of the "fast-start finance" pledged in Copenhagen has actually found its way to recipients.�¹ ,� notes Swanepoel.

BBC environmental correspondent, Richard Black reports that �the longer-term pledge of rich countries is to provide $100bn per year by 2020.� Yet, in light of the current instability of the global economy, perhaps such funding from public coffers cannot be relied on.

In addition, commitment to extension of the Kyoto Protocol finds the developing vs. developed world in a game of tug-of-war where only one side can win. At the expense of the collapse of the other side. Black says that �Durban has been touted as the �last chance� summit for agreeing whether to continue with emission reduction pledges under the protocol, as they currently expire at the end of 2012.�

Locally, says Swanepoel we are have begun to see businesses compete head on to be more sustainable, not for the environmental accolades but because it is fiscally responsible. �The realisation is starting to sink in. By addressing the problem of carbon emission and environmental pollution, companies not only limit carbon footprint and waste, but optimise business performance.�

�As companies continue to scramble to grasp the importance of �green� in the context of future business, the contribution of the logistics and supply chain function will escalate. COP17 will require that South African business collectively presents its inherent innovation and proactive stance, while reiterating its commitment to sustainability action,� concludes Swanepoel.

�¹According to a brief prepared for a recently held Dhaka meeting by humanitarian charity Dara

Truckafrica captures Gold

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 08:59:10 +0200

IMPERIAL Logistics member company, Truckafrica, an over border Logistics Service Provider (LSP) to a variety of mining and logistics companies across Africa has been awarded the 2011 Logistics Supplier of the Year by JSE-listed Bell Equipment for the third time and Gold Status for the tenth consecutive year.

To achieve Gold Status, Bell suppliers must meet the required standards for due date delivery, quality, cost, warranty, technical support and flexibility. “Specifically, suppliers must achieve and maintain an average of 80% or more on service deliveries over a 12-month period,” says Abrie de Swardt, IMPERIAL Logistics Marketing Director.

Bell Equipment, listed under the Engineering and Machinery sector of the JSE is a global supplier of heavy duty equipment and articulated vehicles. Since becoming a supplier to Bell Equipment in 2000, Truckafrica’s scope of work has increased significantly involving transportation, breakdown deliveries and depot to depot distribution.

“With over 40 years of experience in transportation and depots located in Wadeville, Durban, Komatipoort, Richards Bay and Zambia, Truckafrica plays a key role to enable companies to capitalise on African business opportunities. Particularly as the focus on intra-African trade gains priority,” concludes de Swardt.

About IMPERIAL Logistics
IMPERIAL Logistics is a global logistics and supply chain leader that moves business and industry through innovation, inspiration and foresight. Through its established Southern African and International divisions, IMPERIAL Logistics’ service delivery comprises fundamental logistics and end-to-end supply chain management solutions to blue chip customers in almost every industry. As a preferred logistics outsource provider, IMPERIAL Logistics positions itself as an extension of its customer’s business, building its customer’s brand alongside its own. IMPERIAL Logistics Southern Africa is a multi-branded business, categorised into five key divisions, namely Transport and Warehousing, Consumer Products, Specialised Freight, Integration Services and Africa. IMPERIAL Logistics International comprises four operating units, namely Panopa Logistik, neska, IMPERIAL Reederei and Brouwer Shipping. For further information, please visit www.imperiallogistics.co.za.

About Truckafrica
Truckafrica, headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa has been delivering cross border road transportation for over 40 years. The company is primarily an over border haulage provider that serves a variety of mining and logistics companies across Africa. Services include receipt and warehousing of cargo, single commodity loads, IT links, cross border documentation management and final product return loads. Truckafrica has five depots, located in Wadeville, Durban, Komatipoort, Richards Bay and Zambia.

�Green logistics evolution� scoops Eco Logics Awards

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 13:22:17 +0200

IMPERIAL Logistics leadership of the ‘green logistics evolution’ has been proven once again through its win of two categories, Best Energy Saving and Transport at the maiden Enviropaedia Eco Logics Awards held over the weekend in Cape Town.

The Best Energy Saving Award was awarded to IMPERIAL Logistics member company, IMPERIAL Cargo. “This year has seen the company transform a Paarl-based dumpsite into a ‘green logistics’ landmark site through the use of renewable energy and a self-sufficient approach to power generation and water management,” says Abrie de Swardt, IMPERIAL Logistics Marketing Director.

IMPERIAL Logistics’ extensive list of initiatives within its ‘green logistics evolution’, for which it won the Transport Award include world-class driver training and employee engagement, the introduction of South Africa’s first Euro 5 vehicles, ‘extra distance’ studies and network redesign to eliminate logistics inefficiencies, as well as the application of nitrogen powered transport refrigeration.

“A few years ago, IMPERIAL Logistics started a ‘green logistics evolution’,” he says. With more than 100 member companies and customers in almost every sector, this evolution has grown exponentially as eco-economic collaboration has expanded. “Critically, initiatives undertaken and processes established have been forged through business case-driven innovation,” adds de Swardt.

The 2011 Enviropaedia Eco Logics Awards, sponsored by organisations including Gautrain, HP, LG, Pick ‘n Pay and SABC 3 acknowledges organisations and individuals who are considerate towards the planet and its eco-systems, conserve and preserve natural resources, and minimise waste and pollution.

David Perry-Davies, Editor of The Enviropaedia commented, “We have great pleasure in presenting our ten Eco Logics Award winners – and we ask you to join us in congratulating them and committing our support for their endeavours, projects and products in future as they lead the way to a kinder, more effective, eco-logical world.”

Congratulating Perry-Davies and his team at Eco Logics, De Swardt concludes, “Eco Logics is an exciting and evolutionary step forward – we must get connected, we need to become informed and more importantly we need to give something back to the environment.”

About IMPERIAL Logistics
IMPERIAL Logistics is a global logistics and supply chain leader that moves business and industry through innovation, inspiration and foresight. Through its established Southern African and International divisions, IMPERIAL Logistics’ service delivery comprises fundamental logistics and end-to-end supply chain management solutions to blue chip customers in almost every industry. As a preferred logistics outsource provider, IMPERIAL Logistics positions itself as an extension of its customer’s business, building its customer’s brand alongside its own. IMPERIAL Logistics Southern Africa is a multi-branded business, categorised into five key divisions, namely Transport and Warehousing, Consumer Products, Specialised Freight, Integration Services and Africa. IMPERIAL Logistics International comprises four operating units, namely Panopa Logistik, neska, IMPERIAL Reederei and Brouwer Shipping. For further information, please visit www.imperiallogistics.co.za.

Who will pay the price of carbon tax?

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:22:16 +0200

Over and above assessing the direct carbon tax cost in South Africa once the verdict is published by National Treasury in February 2012, the country must count the indirect cost of the tax on the competitiveness of its logistics and supply chain sector and the impact that it will have on consumers and end-users.

South Africa’s consistently high cost of logistics, which came in at 13.5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2009 according to the 7th Annual State of Logistics™ survey will be negatively impacted due to the proposed taxation levels. The proposed carbon tax will, according to Marius Swanepoel, IMPERIAL Logistics Chief Executive Officer need to be “counteracted with greener, more efficient supply chains.”

Dr. Jan Havenga, Head: Centre for Supply Chain Management at Stellenbosch University, who projects the total cost of logistics to be approximately 15% of GDP for 2010 comments that in 2009, the transport and communication sector paid around R12 billion in company taxes.

“A carbon tax could increase the effective tax rate of the industry by at least 14,5%,” Havenga says. “This would in all likelihood make South African logistics costs much higher and would mean that the competitiveness of the country would be under further threat.”

When assessed by the industry calculations indicate that including the carbon tax, the total transport industry bill would increase by between R1.8 and R6.0 billion per year for the emission tax of transport only. In essence, an increase of between 1.16% and 3.86% on the transport bill is forecasted depending on the final tax implemented.

Sharmini Naidoo, The Road Freight Association’s Chief Executive Officer believes that this increase is a cost the road freight industry can ill afford. “Transport operators are already faced with numerous rising costs and the proposed carbon tax would have a serious impact on the cost of logistics, rendering road transport uneconomical,” she says. Over 80% of freight is currently moved by road. “Ironically it is the SMMEs who would be most severely impacted by the tax – the very sector Government aims to support. Not only this, but the tax will also impede economic growth and job creation.”

Swanepoel adds, “The industry is moving forward in greening supply chains through innovative thinking and investment. Examples include South Africa’s first Euro 5 specification fleets on our roads, cutting carbon emissions and increasing efficiencies through ‘extra distance’ studies and network redesign, as well as application of renewable energy sources.”

Governments globally have tended to introduce carbon taxation first, followed by emissions trading as a secondary means to curb carbon emissions. He says, many countries including Finland, the Netherlands and United Kingdom have tended to offset the increase in carbon taxes with decreases in other taxes or use of revenue for climate mitigation programmes.

“In South Africa, there is currently no middle road planned. Some, such as climate change economist and World Bank advisor Michael Toman view the country’s serious examination of a carbon tax to be “commendable, particularly given that the step is “unique” among emerging-market economies.”¹Others view the anticipated tax as a further burden to be borne by business.

Swanepoel concludes, “Even at the lower R72/ton rate, the estimated R100bn likely to be generated from a carbon tax equates to between 12% and 13% of Treasury’s total tax take. This revenue must be channeled into our country’s pursuit for finding sustainable, innovative solutions for cleaner energy that is accessible to all.”

About IMPERIAL Logistics
IMPERIAL Logistics is a global logistics and supply chain leader that moves business and industry through innovation, inspiration and foresight. Through its established Southern African and International divisions, IMPERIAL Logistics’ service delivery comprises fundamental logistics and end-to-end supply chain management solutions to blue chip customers in almost every industry. As a preferred logistics outsource provider, IMPERIAL Logistics positions itself as an extension of its customer’s business, building its customer’s brand alongside its own. IMPERIAL Logistics Southern Africa is a multi-branded business, categorised into five key divisions, namely Transport and Warehousing, Consumer Products, Specialised Freight, Integration Services and Africa. IMPERIAL Logistics International comprises four operating units, namely Panopa Logistik, neska, IMPERIAL Reederei and Brouwer Shipping. For further information, please visit www.imperiallogistics.co.za.

About the Road Freight Association
First established in 1975, the Road Freight Association (RFA) is a membership-based organisation representing the interests of transport operators in the road freight industry. Our Vision is simply: “To be the Voice of the road freight industry” It is a facilitating body which influences the state of the industry, rates, upkeep of the road infrastructure, road safety, freight security, driver training, cross-border transport, development funding for emerging operators, education, health, the fuel price, law enforcement, labour relations and many other issues related to road freight transport. For more information, visit www.rfa.co.za.

About Stellenbosch University
The Centre for Supply Chain Management (CSCM) is an academic, consultative research centre within the Department of Logistics at Stellenbosch University. It creates value for global and local organisations and businesses. The centre facilitates a symbiotic relationship between the academic development of supply chain management theory and the practical application of the theory. It provides clients and the community with cost-effective research solutions in the field, but at the same time produces results that are publishable and contribute to the discipline. Core competencies provided are in the field of supply chain strategy, business strategy and positioning, market and economic research, freight flow modelling and transportation planning. Further information is available at www.sun.ac.za/cscm.

¹ Engineering News, 22 November 2011

IMPERIAL Logistics provides 40,000 meals

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 16:05:38 +0200

170 IMPERIAL Logistics employees, in partnership with global non-profit organisation, Stop Hunger Now last week packed 40,000 meals for distribution to early childhood development centres in and around the Group’s Germiston-based Head Office.

According to the World Food Programme, 1 out of 4 children – around 146 million – in developing countries are malnourished. In 2009, the programme estimated that 1 in 7 people in the world were going to bed hungry every night.

“This year, for our year-end event we have decided to serve rather than be served,” said Marius Swanepoel, CEO of IMPERIAL Logistics.

“It has been a refreshing change for us to focus on the needs of others rather than our own. Being a part of this process has opened my eyes to the need for balanced meals – right on our doorstep,” he said.

Stop Hunger Now, a Raleigh-based international hunger relief agency that has been working towards ending hunger for 13 years. It has provided more than $70 million dollars worth of direct aid and 34 million meals to 72 countries.

About IMPERIAL Logistics
IMPERIAL Logistics is a global logistics and supply chain leader that moves business and industry through innovation, inspiration and foresight. Through its established Southern African and International divisions, IMPERIAL Logistics’ service delivery comprises fundamental logistics and end-to-end supply chain management solutions to blue chip customers in almost every industry. As a preferred logistics outsource provider, IMPERIAL Logistics positions itself as an extension of its customer’s business, building its customer’s brand alongside its own. IMPERIAL Logistics Southern Africa is a multi-branded business, categorised into five key divisions, namely Transport and Warehousing, Consumer Products, Specialised Freight, Integration Services and Africa. IMPERIAL Logistics International comprises four operating units, namely Panopa Logistik, neska, IMPERIAL Reederei and Brouwer Shipping. For further information, please visit www.imperiallogistics.co.za.

Paltrack Claims Gold Award at Logistics Achiever Awards

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:23:42 +0200

IMPERIAL Logistics member company Paltrack recently won a Gold Award at the prestigious Logistics Achiever Awards (LAA). The 23rd annual awards ceremony was held at the Emperors Palace in September 2011. Paltrack claimed the accolade for its submission �Supply Chain Visibility Solution for the SA Fruit Industry Stakeholders�, making this the highest achievement for the fruit export supply chain company since its origins in 2000.

�Paltrack is particularly proud of this accolade, and would also like to acknowledge those that have been involved in the business over many years, thereby assisting in building the platform that made winning this award possible. A special word of thanks is extended to our extensive customer base, and especially to those that have contributed to the 2011 LAA submission,� said Paltrack MD, Andries Mouton about the LAA Gold Award.

Innovative Supply Chain Visibility Strategy

Through an innovative supply chain visibility strategy, Paltrack has established itself as a leader within the fruit industry logistics field. Core strategic principles include the maintenance of coding and EDI standards, the creation of preferred point solutions at various stakeholder levels and the creation of unique information technology solutions alongside their primary product offering.

This tailored approach to supply chain visibility ensures a strategy that is able to continuously meet the demands of a complex and fluctuating environment, appeasing multiple stakeholders through effective supply chain solutions.

Meeting the Logistics Achiever Awards Criteria

The Logistics Achiever Awards provides a platform to recognise excellence in the application of strategies, operations and innovation within the logistics and supply chain industries in South Africa. Covering a broad range of principles and practices within the industry, leading logistics companies are recognised for their contribution to the greater industry.

Through this recognition, companies across the country are encouraged to evaluate their practices to ensure a greater level of excellence across the industry. The Logistics Achiever Awards strive to create a higher level of awareness of the huge value that logistics and supply chain management have to offer, identifying market leaders through a vigorous judging process. During this process, nominees endure numerous rounds of submissions, site visits as well as presentations to the judging panel that comprises of representatives from major industry associations such as CILTSA, CIPS, CSCMP, RFA, SAAFF, SAEPA, SAIIE, SAPICS, SCC and TOCICO.

As an IMPERIAL Logistics member company since its creation in April 2000, Paltrack provides a range of products and supply chain solutions for the fruit industry. To learn more about Paltrack, visit http://www.imperiallogistics.co.za/company/paltrack/.

About Paltrack
Paltrack (Pty) Ltd creates information technology solutions and provide these solutions to the fruit industry under license agreements. It is a wholly South African owned company with majority shareholder, the IMPERIAL Group. Paltrack is the leading supplier of information systems and related services to the South African fruit industry. A number of ancillary services have been established to compliment the software solutions. These services are mainly related to information provision and setting of standards to ease information exchange. For further information, please visit www.paltrack.co.za

�

IMPERIAL Logistics expands Africa access with Snyman Transport

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 13:46:31 +0200

IMPERIAL Logistics, a global leader in logistics and supply chain management has acquired international, cross border transporter IJ Snyman Transport, an established carrier that operates in Angola, DRC, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia. Known for cross-border delivery efficiencies, Snyman strengthens the Group’s African presence and capacity.

With a ten year track record, IJ Snyman Transport is a trusted Logistics Service Provider (LSP) to leading retail, FMCG and construction brands. Through its established Southern African and International divisions, IMPERIAL Logistics’ service delivery comprises fundamental logistics and end-to-end supply chain management solutions to blue chip customers in almost every industry.

“With a growing middle class, increasing urbanisation and technological access as well as untapped resources and agricultural potential, development of Africa’s supply chain is imperative for sustainable growth,” said Marius Swanepoel, IMPERIAL Logistics CEO. Through its Africa division, it is rapidly expanding across the continent, particularly as customers enter new markets.

“We are honoured to become part of a global logistics and supply chain management leader. Our customers stand to gain significant competitive advantages through the acquisition,” said Sakkie Snyman, Managing Director at IJ Snyman Transport, adding that investment in the continent by African companies is essential to boost critical intra-African trade.

“Expansion throughout Africa is an exciting growth area for us,” said Swanepoel, referring to September data published by the Africa Business Confidence Index (ABCI) which points to promising prospects for the manufacturing and non-manufacturing business sectors. Supply chain failure, he noted has a significant impact on the health of any economy.

“On our continent, the development and upgrading of Africa’s sub-Saharan Africa transport corridors can strengthen the value proposition of the region’s logistics offering,” he said, highlighting that throughout 2011, multi-modal solutions have increasingly proven their worth. “The Trans Kalahari, Walvis Bay and Maputo Corridors are growing the region’s strategic importance. Expansion enablement of regional multi-modal capacity requires solutions that effectively balance road, rail, waterways, pipelines and air.”

“We welcome the IJ Snyman Transport team to IMPERIAL Logistics. Africa’s strategic importance within the global supply chain will continue to rise. There is growth for all through developing and maintaining supply chains, end-to-end on our continent,” concluded Swanepoel.

About IMPERIAL Logistics
IMPERIAL Logistics is a global logistics and supply chain leader that moves business and industry through innovation, inspiration and foresight. Through its established Southern African and International divisions, IMPERIAL Logistics’ service delivery comprises fundamental logistics and end-to-end supply chain management solutions to blue chip customers in almost every industry. As a preferred logistics outsource provider, IMPERIAL Logistics positions itself as an extension of its customer’s business, building its customer’s brand alongside its own. IMPERIAL Logistics Southern Africa is a multi-branded business, categorised into five key divisions, namely Transport and Warehousing, Consumer Products, Specialised Freight, Integration Services and Africa. IMPERIAL Logistics International comprises four operating units, namely Panopa Logistik, neska, IMPERIAL Reederei and Brouwer Shipping. For further information, please visit www.imperiallogistics.co.za.

IMPERIAL Logistics acquires Kings Transport, boosts load consolidation offering

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:37:25 +0200

IMPERIAL Logistics, a global leader in logistics and supply chain management has acquired a majority stake in Kings Transport. This load consolidation business, with its 80 year track record, strengthens the ability of IMPERIAL Logistics to service customers that move less than full truck loads from source to market.

Moving loads that range in size from 500kg to 32 tons, Kings Transport services a diverse range of customers from blue-chip brands to home-based businesses. “Kings is a great fit for the Group,” says Marius Swanepoel, Chief Executive Officer of IMPERIAL Logistics. “Their ethics are deeply rooted, they focus on people development and they are passionate about delivering value to customers.”

The company also contributes in terms of IMPERIAL Logistics’ intense focus on its green logistics evolution, he says. “King’s eco consciousness extends to its operations, which includes a fleet of vehicles that conform to the lowest possible emission standards,” he explains.

Kings has 225 employees who work across five branches nationally. Wendy Goetze, the Managing Director of Kings Transport says “our employees share a passion to give customers the best possible service.” The head office is based in the Western Cape, with branches located in Johannesburg, Durban and Port Elizabeth. The company offers its services to outlying areas with the help of “long standing and reliable third parties.”

“We are proud to join this leading global logistics and supply chain management Group. By becoming a member of the IMPERIAL family, we are able to strengthen our value proposition by offering our customers an end-to-end logistics solution,” concludes Goetze.

About IMPERIAL Logistics
IMPERIAL Logistics is a global logistics and supply chain leader that moves business and industry through innovation, inspiration and foresight. Through its established Southern African and International divisions, IMPERIAL Logistics’ service delivery comprises fundamental logistics and end-to-end supply chain management solutions to blue chip customers in almost every industry. As a preferred logistics outsource provider, IMPERIAL Logistics positions itself as an extension of its customer’s business, building its customer’s brand alongside its own. IMPERIAL Logistics Southern Africa is a multi-branded business, categorised into five key divisions, namely Transport and Warehousing, Consumer Products, Specialised Freight, Integration Services and Africa. IMPERIAL Logistics International comprises four operating units, namely Panopa Logistik, neska, IMPERIAL Reederei and Brouwer Shipping. For further information, please visit www.imperiallogistics.co.za.

IMPERIAL Logistics fast tracks graduate careers

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:22:54 +0200

IMPERIAL Logistics’ employment of new graduates last week increased its Graduate Development Programme to just short of 100 learners. On completion of the programme, these graduates will qualify for first line or middle management level, or specialist positions.

“The programme increases management and leadership capacity, while addressing succession planning and transformation objectives,” says Colette Wessels, IMPERIAL Logistics Training and Development Manager.

She says that it gives graduate achievers, fresh from tertiary institutions “the opportunity to gain hands-on, fast tracking experience in their field of study.” Since its inception in 2008, over 160 graduates have completed the programme. It includes specialisation in Logistics, Management Accounting, Human Resources, Industrial Engineering and Information Technology.

At least 70% of all candidates in the IMPERIAL Logistics flagship skills development programme have been from Previously Disadvantaged Groups. “Fifty-seven percent of the 2012 in-take is black females,” she says adding that in 2011, the Group registered 1,735 black learners for Learnerships, Internships and Skills Programmes, of which 15% are females.

Concluding, she says that with significant success, each graduate is allocated a senior manager within the same discipline to guide them through the process and to ensure that all practical learning requirements are met. “One of the biggest benefits for graduates is gained through formal mentorship,” says Wessels.

About IMPERIAL Logistics
IMPERIAL Logistics is a global logistics and supply chain leader that moves business and industry through innovation, inspiration and foresight. Through its established Southern African and International divisions, IMPERIAL Logistics’ service delivery comprises fundamental logistics and end-to-end supply chain management solutions to blue chip customers in almost every industry. As a preferred logistics outsource provider, IMPERIAL Logistics positions itself as an extension of its customer’s business, building its customer’s brand alongside its own. IMPERIAL Logistics Southern Africa is a multi-branded business, categorised into five key divisions, namely Transport and Warehousing, Consumer Products, Specialised Freight, Integration Services and Africa. IMPERIAL Logistics International comprises four operating units, namely Panopa Logistik, neska, IMPERIAL Reederei and Brouwer Shipping. For further information, please visit www.imperiallogistics.co.za.

IMPERIAL Logistics sets B-BBEE preferential procurement industry high

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:27:56 +0200

IMPERIAL Logistics provides its clients with 137.5% B-BBEE preferential procurement recognition, the highest of all major Logistics Service Providers (LSPs) in southern Africa. This level of recognition is higher than that normally offered by a Level 1 Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) rated company.

IMPERIAL Logistics Sustainability Director, Sibongile Zikalala says that the leading preferential procurement recognition level is due to the Group’s continued classification as a Value Adding Supplier combined with its new Level 3 B-BBEE rating. “Value Adding classification,” she explains “means that more than 25% of Group revenue is applied to add value to employees through payroll, to government through taxes and shareholders through profit.”

IMPERIAL Logistics’ latest B-BBEE scorecard is based on the Integrated Transport Sector B-BBEE Charter. “This Charter encompasses the supply chain, end-to-end through its sub-sector charters. These include aviation, forwarding and clearing, maritime transport and services industry, rail and road freight, representing the Logistics Service Industry comprehensively,” she says.

IMPERIAL Logistics, she adds will continue to follow a growth strategy that prioritises the retention and creation of quality jobs. “We believe that we need to contribute to transformation in our industry. We are aligned to specific targets agreed on the Road Freight Sub-Sector Code and not merely the generic scorecard,” says Zikalala.

During the 2011 financial year, IMPERIAL Logistics invested over R55 million on skills development. Seventy five percent of this spend was of on black employees and almost 25% on black females. This amount includes all direct and indirect training costs as per the B-BBEE verification guidelines, representing an investment of 3% of the total amount of remuneration (the National Skills Levy Fund leviable amount).

About IMPERIAL Logistics
IMPERIAL Logistics is a global logistics and supply chain leader that moves business and industry through innovation, inspiration and foresight. Through its established Southern African and International divisions, IMPERIAL Logistics’ service delivery comprises fundamental logistics and end-to-end supply chain management solutions to blue chip customers in almost every industry. As a preferred logistics outsource provider, IMPERIAL Logistics positions itself as an extension of its customer’s business, building its customer’s brand alongside its own. IMPERIAL Logistics Southern Africa is a multi-branded business, categorised into five key divisions, namely Transport and Warehousing, Consumer Products, Specialised Freight, Integration Services and Africa. IMPERIAL Logistics International comprises four operating units, namely Panopa Logistik, neska, IMPERIAL Reederei and Brouwer Shipping. For further information, please visit www.imperiallogistics.co.za.

e-Logics acquires TIDASA, extending value add from system solutions

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:20:07 +0200

Application solution and service provider, e-Logics has acquired a majority stake in The Training and Instructional Design Academy of South Africa (TIDASA), a private Further Education and Training (FET) college.

The acquisition gives e-Logics customisation capabilities in training development and delivery, as well as policy and procedure development. It enhances e-Logics’ ability to optimise systems effectiveness through change management and people enablement.

Cobus Rossouw, Chief Integration Officer of IMPERIAL Logistics says, “The acquisition provides essential skills development capabilities which are a critical part of our Integration Services, which we utilise to enable integrated supply chain solutions for our clients.”

“An estimated 80% of systems fail due to lack of proper implementation and training. There is a strong relationship between system enablement and people enablement,” says e-Logics Managing Director, Johann van der Westhuizen.

TIDASA’s greatest strength, he says lies in development of customised learning programmes. The college has also been very successful in establishing Standard Operating Procedures before presenting job-specific training.

TIDASA delivers training on a large-scale, having trained for example more than 2,000 traffic officials on AARTO. It has been a training partner to the Department of Education (DOE), Department of Trade and Industry (Dti), Department of Transport (DoT) and SA Military Health Services.

Principal of TIDASA, Dr Nicky Kruger sees many synergies between the college and e-Logics. “e-Logics’ efficiency enablement and innovation enhancement is a perfect fit for our skills enrichment,” she says.

Speaking of the need for closer collaboration between FET colleges, Kruger notes that TIDASA recently partnered with public FET College, Westcol. “The collaboration, which is in its early stages, has significant potential to improve skills in government, particularly municipalities,” concludes Kruger.

e-Logics is a member company of IMPERIAL Logistics that operates within the IMPERIAL Logistics Integration Services Division.

About e-Logics
e-Logics is a South African based provider of customised technology-based process planning, optimisation, automation and analysis solutions. The company, a Microsoft Gold Certified ISV Partner as well as Oracle Partner has a ten year track record, having maintained long-term partnerships with companies in the retail, transportation, media and communications, manufacturing, mining, property and services sectors. Clients include Pick ‘n Pay, the South African, Media24, Anglo Platinum, AngloGold Ashanti, Traffic Management Technologies (TMT), Transnet, and Metrorail. e-Logics’ customisation approach not only avoids the pitfall of “one solution fits all” but enhances the integration of logistics service delivery, with the company continuing to deliver dynamic solutions aligned to the specific needs of each client. For further information, please visit www.e-logics.co.za.

About TIDASA
The Training and Instructional Design Academy of South Africa (TIDASA) is a registered Further Education and Training (FET) college, based in South Africa. TIDASA, in which e-Logics owns a majority stake offers comprehensive, nationally recognised qualifications. It recently joined hands with public FET College, Westcol, to further the call for private / public sector collaboration by the Minister of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) to improve the quality of training and development in South Africa. In addition to its provisional registration with the DHET, TIDASA has obtained approval for full qualifications and programme approval for a number of skills programmes from TETA, MICT SETA, LG SETA and ETDP SETA to the Services SETA and merSETA. For further information, please visit www.tidasa.co.za.

About IMPERIAL Logistics
IMPERIAL Logistics is a global logistics and supply chain leader that moves business and industry through innovation, inspiration and foresight. Through its established Southern African and International divisions, IMPERIAL Logistics’ service delivery comprises fundamental logistics and end-to-end supply chain management solutions to blue chip customers in almost every industry. As a preferred logistics outsource provider, IMPERIAL Logistics positions itself as an extension of its customer’s business, building its customer’s brand alongside its own. IMPERIAL Logistics Southern Africa is a multi-branded business, categorised into five key divisions, namely Transport and Warehousing, Consumer Products, Specialised Freight, Integration Services and Africa. IMPERIAL Logistics International comprises four operating units, namely Panopa Logistik, neska, IMPERIAL Reederei and Brouwer Shipping. For further information, please visit www.imperiallogistics.co.za.

IMPERIAL Logistics confirms position as Logistics and Supply Chain Management Outsource Leader

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 08:07:33 +0200

JSE listed IMPERIAL announced revenue of R38,4 billion and operating profit of R2,6 billion for the six months ending 31 December 2011. This represents 22% revenue growth and 23% profit growth when compared to the corresponding period in 2010. As part of this, the Logistics Divisions reported total revenue of R12,4 billion and operating profit of R715 million. CEO of IMPERIAL, Hubert Brody, commented that “logistics represents almost a third of our business and remains the key area of focus and growth”.

The African logistics operations recorded revenue of R8,3 billion and operating profit of R512 million in the six months ending December 2011. This represents an impressive 17.4% growth in operating profit despite a challenging trading environment. Marius Swanepoel, CEO of IMPERIAL Logistics, commented that “we are well on our way to exceed revenue of R15 billion this financial year, confirming our leadership as logistics service and supply chain management outsource provider”.

“It is the success of our businesses like Broco, CIC, Cargo Africa, e-Logics, Etosha, Freightmax, Goldfields, IMPERIAL Cargo, IMPERIAL Distribution, IMPERIAL Truck Rental, Javelin, Tanker Services, TFD, Truckafrica, Volition and many more, that operate under the banner of we are IMPERIAL Logistics that makes IMPERIAL Logistics the leader in almost all logistics fields”, Swanepoel added.

Contracts with annual value of R1,2 billion were secured in the last six months, represented by a health mix of new contracts and renewals across almost all industries. The total value of the contracts, considering the multiple year terms exceeds R3 billion. “Even more exciting is that our relationships with our clients have expanded to include not only the traditional transport and warehousing execution, but also logistics planning and integrated supply chain management. We are becoming a more fundamental part of our clients’ operations and business – and we are helping them succeed” Swanepoel said.

Chief Integration Officer Cobus Rossouw said that “IMPERIAL Logistics has implemented various internal initiatives to ensure that clients can benefit from the broad spectrum of services offered by the Group. As our clients’ supply chains mature, IMPERIAL Logistics has provided integrated solutions to address their challenges. Various new strategically important client engagements has commenced recently, proving that IMPERIAL Logistics is a comprehensive service provider.”

“We have also made exciting progress with the standardisation of information technology across IMPERIAL Logistics. This allows us to spread best practice between operations, to offer clients leading-edge solutions and to remove cost of duplication” Cobus added.

Various strategic growth initiatives remain core to IMPERIAL Logistics. This includes the expansion of African operations, comprehensive involvement in inter-modal logistics which includes cooperation with Transnet and specific focus on skills development, sustainability and transformation. IMPERIAL Logistics recently announced that their clients now receive 137.5% preferential procurement recognition due to Level 3 scorecard and Value Adding status.

About IMPERIAL Logistics
IMPERIAL Logistics is a global logistics and supply chain leader that moves business and industry through innovation, inspiration and foresight. Through its established Southern African and International divisions, IMPERIAL Logistics’ service delivery comprises fundamental logistics and end-to-end supply chain management solutions to blue chip customers in almost every industry. As a preferred logistics outsource provider, IMPERIAL Logistics positions itself as an extension of its customer’s business, building its customer’s brand alongside its own. IMPERIAL Logistics Southern Africa is a multi-branded business, categorised into six key divisions, namely Transport and Warehousing, Consumer Products, Specialised Freight, Integration Services, Africa and Bulk Commodity Services. IMPERIAL Logistics International comprises four operating units, namely Panopa Logistik, neska, IMPERIAL Reederei and Brouwer Shipping. For further information, please visit www.imperiallogistics.co.za.

TxPoint to take e-toll administration load off fleet owners

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 12:13:52 +0200

A new toll management system has been launched by e-Logics, and represents some good news for a gloomy transport industry anticipating the administration challenges that will come with electronic tolling on Gauteng's freeways. Dubbed “TxPoint”, it is designed to help fleet owners administer their e-toll obligations and manage the associated costs.

Johann van der Westhuizen, managing director of business applications and systems integrator e-Logics elaborates: “The impact of e-toll on owners of corporate and public fleets, fleet leasing companies, logistics service providers, vehicle rental companies and vehicle retailers and dealerships extends way beyond just payment of toll fees. Fleet owners will need to accurately retrieve, allocate and recover e-toll costs in real-time at various levels, from employees to cost centres and customers. Deployment of e-tags will need to be tracked and controlled daily.”

Fifty vehicles passing under 10 gantries per day in a five-day work week will translate into 10 000 transactions. “The sheer volume of transactions and required validations makes it impossible for fleet owners to manage e-tolling transactions without a toll management system,” he stresses.

TxPoint, Van Der Westhuizen explains, enables automated, real-time fleet vehicle and e-tag administration. It is designed for companies that own and manage medium to large fleets.

Fleet owners, he adds need to know immediately about incidents such as duplicate number plates, incorrect toll costs or discounts applied and potential misuse of e-tags. “As a result of us working with fleet owners to identify their needs, the system provides relevant data and accurate calculations to make the transition to e-toll management easy.

“A further benefit of TxPoint is that it is well positioned to provide for the management of AARTO (Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences) fines, once this demerit legislation is passed and implemented,” Van Der Westhuizen concludes.

TxPoint is being implemented by the operating companies of IMPERIAL Logistics. The system is available to any small, medium and large fleet owner on a monthly subscription basis.

About e-Logics
e-Logics provides customer centric solutions in business applications and systems integration. Through exceptional domain expertise, world class technology capabilities and people alignment skills, it is a business partner that provides solutions that work. Its core competencies are in supply chain and logistics management, physical asset management and government solutions. e-Logics has long-term partnerships, having delivered tangible business improvement to companies in the retail, transportation, media and communications, manufacturing, mining, property and services sectors. Clients include Pick ‘n Pay, Media24, Anglo American Platinum, Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, Metrorail, Traffic Management Technologies (TMT), Transnet Freight Rail and Transnet Rail Engineering. For further information, please visit www.e-logics.co.za.

About IMPERIAL Logistics
IMPERIAL Logistics is a global logistics and supply chain leader that moves business and industry through innovation, inspiration and foresight. Through its established Southern African and International divisions, IMPERIAL Logistics’ service delivery comprises fundamental logistics and end-to-end supply chain management solutions to blue chip customers in almost every industry. As a preferred logistics outsource provider, IMPERIAL Logistics positions itself as an extension of its customer’s business, building its customer’s brand alongside its own. IMPERIAL Logistics Southern Africa is a multi-branded business, categorised into six key divisions, namely Transport and Warehousing, Consumer Products, Specialised Freight, Integration Services, Africa and Bulk Commodity Services. IMPERIAL Logistics International comprises four operating units, namely Panopa Logistik, neska, IMPERIAL Reederei and Brouwer Shipping. For further information, please visit www.imperiallogistics.co.za

IMPERIAL Logistics to �release the potential� of Africa at leading SAPICS Conference

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 15:32:22 +0200

Reflecting its ongoing commitment to the African supply chain community, and to growing and developing the industry’s skills and body of knowledge, IMPERIAL Logistics will contribute a diverse line-up of presentations to the upcoming SAPICS Conference and Exhibition for supply chain professionals.

Chief Integration Officer Cobus Rossouw says the Group will present success stories and case studies spanning the information technology, logistics, manufacturing and procurement, and addressing topics from business transformation to corruption across multiple industries. Two IMPERIAL Logistics partners, Vodacom and ONE Network Enterprises, have also joined as sponsors this year, he adds.

Exploring the extent to which integrated supply chain management could be leveraged to achieve overall organisational transformation is the topic of a 50-minute presentation by Rossouw. He notes that while integrated supply chain management is not often considered as an enabler for change management, his presentation will test the hypothesis that it is a catalyst for organisational transformation. “Most supply chain professionals focus on the improvement of the supply chains of the organisation, or at most, the value chains in which the organisation operates. Few professionals consider their potential impact towards the overall transformation of the organisation.”

The issue of fraud and corruption will be covered in a presentation by IMPERIAL Logistics member company Volition Consulting Services. “This presentation deals with an international fuel and lubricants supplier’s experiences of what can happen when collusion is rife and transactional information is not available to be verified on a real-time basis.”

An enlightening case study, by IMPERIAL Distribution, will give SAPICS delegates insights into the company's experiences in implementing integrated distribution planning and execution management. Rossouw elaborates: “This presentation covers the benefits, pitfalls and crucial learnings gleaned during the implementation of different processes, technology and skills in several secondary FMCG environments.”

The manufacturing industry comes under the spotlight in a presentation on “ZupS”, which, Rossouw explains, refers to “Zero Unplanned Stops”. “ZupS is geared towards improving the efficiencies and reducing costs associated with manufacturing organisations. The presentation will guide the attendees through the steps from the initial assessment, to the collection of data, to the focused improvement process. The key learnings will be through the case studies discussed at each step, where practical examples will be shown by Pragma, an IMPERIAL Logistics associate company,” he says.

An IMPERIAL Online case study outlines the challenges of moving two data centres, but goes deeper, to discuss how any new initiative can be successfully delivered while still continuing to maintain operational excellence. “Operational managers are faced daily with the test of rolling out new initiatives, but they do not have the luxury of being able to freeze the organisation, apply the change and then unfreeze it,” Rossouw explains. “This case study aims to take the scare out of in-Line operations projects.”

Lew Roberts, director of the Supply Chain and Logistics Programme at the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) will present global risk management practices, with a focus on the State of Logistics Survey of South Africa, conducted by the CSIR and the University of Stellenbosch. IMPERIAL Logistics is actively involved in both these important supply chain and logistics research initiatives. The Group's education specialist member companies, Commerce Edge and TIDASA, will be involved as SAPICS Approved Education Provider and strategic advisor on the design of SAPICS education offerings. “SAPICS remains one of the most important providers of specialist supply chain and operations management education and training in Africa,” says Rossouw.

One Network Enterprises will also be participating in the conference and have secured the participation of David Allen who served as senior supply chain executive at Del Monte, Royal Ahold, Dell, Frito-Lay and American Italian Pasta Company. He will share his extensive supply chain collaboration experience in the USA with the delegates. One Network has partnered with e-Logics, an IMPERIAL Logistics member company, to provide a value network platform in Africa.

Ideas exchange sessions facilitated by IMPERIAL Logistics member companies include a session on inventory management and a discussion on supply chain transformation across the African continent in the new Africa Café – a new and interactive inclusion in the conference programme for 2012.

The content planned for the 34th SAPICS Conference – which takes place at Sun City from 3 to 5 June - is an excellent mix of case studies, new thinking and structured research, says Rossouw. “This event provides an unrivalled opportunity for companies and industry players to get together and learn from each other, and together offer astute, world-class solutions to African supply chain challenges. It is a privilege for IMPERIAL Logistics to be so intimately involved and we trust that many previous and new delegates will find as much value in it as we do,” he concludes.

About IMPERIAL Logistics
IMPERIAL Logistics is a global logistics and supply chain leader that moves business and industry through innovation, inspiration and foresight. Through its established Southern African and International divisions, IMPERIAL Logistics’ service delivery comprises fundamental logistics and end-to-end supply chain management solutions to blue chip customers in almost every industry. As a preferred logistics outsource provider, IMPERIAL Logistics positions itself as an extension of its customer’s business, building its customer’s brand alongside its own. IMPERIAL Logistics Southern Africa is a multi-branded business, categorised into six key divisions, namely Transport and Warehousing, Consumer Products, Specialised Freight, Integration Services, Africa and Bulk Commodity Services. IMPERIAL Logistics International comprises four operating units, namely Panopa Logistik, neska, IMPERIAL Reederei and Brouwer Shipping. For further information, please visit www.imperiallogistics.co.za.

About SAPICS
SAPICS - The Association for Operations Management of Southern Africa - comprises professional members from across the spectrum of South African industry. Since its foundation in 1966, SAPICS has become a leading provider of knowledge in supply chain management, production and operations in South Africa. The association is closely affiliated to APICS -The Association for Operations Management and the Institute of Business Forecasting in the United States. SAPICS is the South African custodian of two internationally accredited certification programmes from APICS - Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) and Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP). The association’s education offerings are aimed at advancing industry's ability to succeed in a changing and increasingly competitive market place. The Annual SAPICS Conference and Exhibition is the premier educational and networking event in Africa for Supply Chain management professionals and will take place at Sun City from 3rd – 5th June 2012. For further information about SAPICS, please visit www.sapics.org.za

Leading American Collaboration Technology provider expands into Africa

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 08:56:11 +0200

One Network Enterprises, a leading, United States-based value chain collaboration technology provider, has expanded into Africa. The company, which currently services some 10 000 organisations worldwide and facilitates more than 680 million business transactions a year, from headquarters in Dallas, Texas, has entered into a strategic partnership with local applications solutions specialist e-Logics.

This partnership sees e-Logics appointed as the sole African hosting and solutions provider for One Network software, states e-Logics managing director Johann van der Westhuizen, adding that the American provider's unique, world-class service offering is set to take Africa by storm. One Network's cloud-based platform is the only supply chain solution of its kind in the world, he explains, noting that its strongest selling point is that it enables customers to easily collaborate with all their value chain participants on a single network.

Emphasising the role that cloud computing can play in the supply chain, Van Der Westhuizen explains that it makes it easier to respond and adapt to changes in the market, while lowering costs. “The cloud-based One Network platform also enables supply chain managers to re-plan the supply network continuously as changes happen. Every player is able to work off the same forecast and replenishment plan, which also takes each player’s constraints into consideration. There is no need to second guess each other, and it brings about significant savings across the board. Everybody looks at a single version of the truth in real time.” Its success is reflected in the more than 10 000 companies currently connected to One Network’s USA network, he stresses.

One Network serves a variety of industries, including retail, FMCG, technology, the public sector, automotive, energy and logistics, providing supply chain technology and software that enables its customers to improve their operational efficiency, lower inventory and transportation costs throughout the supply chain, deliver improved service levels by reducing stock outs and late deliveries, as well as lower IT costs.

Greg Brady, CEO of One Network Enterprises, emphasises that businesses, both large and small, need a 360 degree view into all levels of logistics and the supply chain. “They also need structured and unstructured communication capabilities between network partners and global end-to-end tracking and visibility throughout the entire transaction lifecycle,” he adds. “We could not be more excited about joining forces with e-Logics to enter the African market and bring these solutions to organisations here.”

About e-Logics
e-Logics provides customer centric solutions in business applications and systems integration. Through exceptional domain expertise, world class technology capabilities and people alignment skills, it is a business partner that provides solutions to improve the way in which organisations work. Its core competencies are in supply chain and logistics management, physical asset management and traffic management solutions. e-Logics has long-term partnerships, having delivered tangible business improvement to companies in the retail, transportation, media and communications, manufacturing, mining, property and services sectors. Clients include Transnet, Pick ‘n Pay, Media24, Anglo American Platinum, Metrorail, Traffic Management Technologies (TMT) as well as local and national government. For further information, please visit www.e-logics.co.za.

About One Network Enterprises
One Network Enterprises is the fastest growing provider of planning and execution solutions built on a federated cloud computing platform. With more than 10,000 companies connected, One Network Enterprises offers industry-specific applications for government, consumer packaged goods, retail, high tech and logistics. With a firm commitment to embrace not replace existing technology, One Network Enterprises develops and supports a portfolio of packaged applications for supply chain 2.0, business intelligence, and sustainability. One Network Enterprises also supports customised multi-enterprise applications via its industry leading Developers’ Network. Leveraging unprecedented visibility and collaboration, One Network Enterprises creates communities and endless possibilities to yield exponential customer value in terms of improved insight, decision-making, and business processes. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, One Network Enterprises also has offices in Europe. For more information, please visit www.onenetwork.com.

IMPERIAL Online and Vodacom join forces in high availability data centres

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 15:31:38 +0200

In a move that's secured its place in South Africa's information technology annals, local IT solutions specialist IMPERIAL Online has completed one of the largest data centre relocation projects ever, and it has achieved a South African first, with a data centre in which partner Vodacom has granted access to two other telecoms vendors – namely Broadlink and Telkom.

IMPERIAL Online managing director Derek van Heerden says that the need for multiple connectivity options was a key factor in the company's decision to partner with Vodacom when it decided not to reinvest in its own ageing data centres. “We needed to provide for multiple network vendors to service IMPERIAL Online customers, in order to ensure fail-over ability between data centres, as well as additional redundancy in the related connectivity. This is becoming increasingly critical for our customers as their business systems become more mission critical. While the other vendors reviewed only offered their own networks as a complete solution, IMPERIAL Online was able to negotiate with Vodacom for two other telecoms partners to provide data connectivity solutions from within the Vodacom data centre, thus not restricting our customers to a single vendor. Broadlink and Telkom lines have been permitted to terminate in the IMPERIAL Online cage inside the Vodacom data centre. With fail-over built into every aspect of the data centres' design and connectivity, and multiple fail-over scenarios catered for, this is a truly unique service offering in South Africa,” he stresses.

IMPERIAL Online's partnership with Vodacom takes the form of a five-year contract, Van Heerden states, with the scope of the contract including not only the data centre caged areas but also the wide area network (WAN) migration of the IMPERIAL Group to Vodacom. “Our customers trust us to create unique technology solutions to optimise their business experience, and the increased resilience provided by hosting in Vodacom's state-of-the-art data centres, as well as the WAN migration, bears testimony to our commitment to meeting their needs.” He explains that the WAN migration represents a valuable move from outdated ATM to MPLS technology.

Further benefits for IMPERIAL Online clients of this partnership include Vodacom's commitment to continuous investment and upgrades, as well as additional options to utilise new data centres, such as Cape Town's 'green' data centre, he adds. “The reduced data centre concentration also means the risks are lower than when data centres are in close proximity to each other, and enables improved disaster recovery options,” Van Heerden notes.

This data centre relocation project was aptly dubbed “Die Groot Trek”, and its goal was to move the data centres with little or no impact on customers. Die Groot Trek involved more than 1 500 equipment pieces valued at more than R150 million and more than 2 000 network lines to terminate in the new data centres.

“On completion of the project, IMPERIAL Online was proud to report that the 10-hour agreed downtime was never exceeded, and on the majority of moves the downtime was limited to less than five hours,” Van Heerden concludes.

About IMPERIAL Online
Established in 1998, IMPERIAL Online, one of South Africa’s largest and most established corporate concerns provide customers with extensive data centre and IT hosting facilities, technical support teams and a 24 hour call centre. IMPERIAL Online has a unique product and service offering, combined with the necessary skills, to offer customers next generation business solutions. It provides a complete, managed and secure ICT solution, for clients both big and small, uniquely designed to cater to their ever-evolving business requirements. IMPERIAL Online operates state-of-the-art data centres, designed to provide advanced security redundancy and backup. It provides fast, easy and reliable 24 hour access to the Internet and its hosting service allows customers to physically host their own hardware within the data centre. IMPERIAL Online serves the needs of a diverse client base operating in a wide range of industries, including the automotive industry, construction, engineering, manufacturing and transport – both within the IMPERIAL Group and externally. Clients include Premier Foods, IMPERIAL Automotive Retail, Basil Read, CSE, Interconnect, Seating, Goldfields Logistics, Tanker Services, Broco and The Cold Chain. IMPERIAL Online is a member company of IMPERIAL Logistics and operates within the IMPERIAL Logistics Integration Services division. For more information, please visit www.imperialonline.co.za

About IMPERIAL Logistics
IMPERIAL Logistics is a global logistics and supply chain leader that moves business and industry through innovation, inspiration and foresight. Through its established Southern African and International divisions, IMPERIAL Logistics’ service delivery comprises fundamental logistics and end-to-end supply chain management solutions to blue chip customers in almost every industry. As a preferred logistics outsource provider, IMPERIAL Logistics positions itself as an extension of its customer’s business, building its customer’s brand alongside its own. IMPERIAL Logistics Southern Africa is a multi-branded business, categorised into six key divisions, namely Transport and Warehousing, Consumer Products, Specialised Freight, Integration Services, Africa and Bulk Commodity Services. IMPERIAL Logistics International comprises five operating units, namely Lehnkering, Panopa Logistik, neska, IMPERIAL Reederei and Brouwer Shipping. For more information, please visit www.imperiallogistics.co.za.

Prestigious Industry Award for IMPERIAL Logistics

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:47:38 +0200

IMPERIAL Logistics' commitment to addressing the skills gap in South Africa's supply chain industry was recognised at the “Supply Chain Education Excellence Awards”, presented by SAPICS (The Association for Operations Management of Southern Africa). The Group's “Fast Forward” skills development initiative was named the top “Corporate Supply Chain Education Programme of the Year” amid competition from other industry players that included Barloworld Logistics, UTI and Value Logistics.

"Fast Forward" takes a practical approach to growing the industry's skills base, by providing a framework of supply chain and logistics education and professional development for current and aspiring supply chain professionals. Colette Wessels, IMPERIAL Logistics training and development manager, explains that the Fast Forward initiative operates across various levels - from facilitating workplace entry to in-house supply chain management programmes, tertiary education support and industry collaboration and research.

“The workplace entry element of the programme is facilitated through the IMPERIAL Logistics' Graduate Development Programme, which sees top achievers from tertiary institutions recruited annually to gain hands-on experience throughout all areas of the logistics and supply chain management industry. Fast Forward receives R750 000 in annual investment in the form of logistics and supply chain management bursaries,” she states. A variety of in-house supply chain management development initiatives aim to equip employees with competencies at foundational, intermediate and advanced levels.

On the industry collaboration and research side, Fast Forward includes a partnership with the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), with which IMPERIAL Logistics is developing supply chain education programmes and coordinating industry research such as the annual State of Logistics™ survey. Final year project coaching and mentorship is also being undertaken, as well as guest lecturing and sponsorships in partnership with tertiary institutions and professional bodies.

Fast Forward receives a significant percentage of IMPERIAL Logistics' total skills development spend, which was increased from just under R37 million in 2009/2010 to R55 million in the 2010/2011 financial year, and the Group aims to achieve some very specific outcomes through the programme. IMPERIAL Logistics CEO Marius Swanepoel elaborates: “At a national level, we are striving to address demographic inequities while developing scarce priority skills - industrial engineers, for example, and specialised supply chain management skills. Our goals are aligned with Government’s 'decent work agenda' (New Growth Path). At an industry level, we aim to elevate the visibility of logistics and supply chain management, while at an organisational level, our aim is to give our people access to lifelong learning, thereby ensuring career mobility for them.

“Through Fast Forward, we are actively pursuing developmental outcomes for our economy, our industry and our people,” Swanepoel concludes.

About IMPERIAL Logistics
IMPERIAL Logistics is a global logistics and supply chain leader that moves business and industry through innovation, inspiration and foresight. Through its established Southern African and International divisions, IMPERIAL Logistics’ service delivery comprises fundamental logistics and end-to-end supply chain management solutions to blue chip customers in almost every industry. As a preferred logistics outsource provider, IMPERIAL Logistics positions itself as an extension of its customer’s business, building its customer’s brand alongside its own. IMPERIAL Logistics Southern Africa is a multi-branded business, categorised into six key divisions, namely Transport and Warehousing, Consumer Products, Specialised Freight, Integration Services, Africa and Bulk Commodity Services. IMPERIAL Logistics International comprises five operating units, namely Lehnkering, Panopa Logistik, neska, IMPERIAL Reederei and Brouwer Shipping. For further information, please visit www.imperiallogistics.co.za.

About the annual Supply Chain Education Excellence Awards
The annual Supply Chain Education Excellence Awards are now in their sixth year, aim to recognise and reward excellence in supply chain management education, raising awareness of individuals, organisations and educators who are going the extra mile to address the skills deficit in the supply chain and operations management profession. Last night's awards function was held in Melrose, Johannesburg. The judging criteria for the Corporate Supply Chain Education Programme of the Year category included the number of students educated during the year, evidence that the organisation supports the national skills strategy and evidence that the attendance of courses provides for career improvement or progression.

IMPERIAL Acquires a juicy stake in Western Cape Fruit Transporter

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:58:56 +0200

IMPERIAL Logistics, a global leader in logistics and supply chain management, has acquired a 70% stake in Le Grange Transport. This Tulbagh-based business has been operating since 1988, serving mainly the Western Cape fruit industry and operating between the Cape Town Harbour and Ceres areas.

With 51 vehicles capable of moving loads ranging in size from tri-axle to super-interlink, and a well established client base in the region, this acquisition is in line with the Group's strategy to grow its business in the Western Cape container market, explains IMPERIAL Cargo managing director Christo Theron. �Le Grange Transport is an excellent fit for IMPERIAL Logistics,� he adds. �We share the same values, including a commitment to quality service, people development and excellence, and a performance-driven culture pervades both companies. This new venture is set to become an important player in the Western Cape.�

Le Grange Transport has 100 employees operating out of offices in Tulbagh, which lies in the heart of the region's fruit industry. �This marks the beginning of an exciting new era for our organisation, and we are proud to be associated with the IMPERIAL Logistics brand,� comments Le Grange managing director Dickie Webb. He adds that this development gives the company access to the resources needed to grow the business and �take it to the next level�.

Le Grange Transport will report via IMPERIAL Cargo into IMPERIAL Logistics' Transport & Warehousing division.

About IMPERIAL Logistics
IMPERIAL Logistics is a global logistics and supply chain leader that moves business and industry through innovation, inspiration and foresight. Through its established Southern African and International divisions, IMPERIAL Logistics� service delivery comprises fundamental logistics and end-to-end supply chain management solutions to blue chip customers in almost every industry. As a preferred logistics outsource provider, IMPERIAL Logistics positions itself as an extension of its customer�s business, building its customer�s brand alongside its own. IMPERIAL Logistics Southern Africa is a multi-branded business, categorised into six key divisions, namely Transport and Warehousing, Consumer Products, Specialised Freight, Integration Services, Africa and Bulk Commodity Services. IMPERIAL Logistics International comprises five operating units, namely Panopa Logistik, Lehnkering, neska, IMPERIAL Reederei and Brouwer Shipping. For more information, please visit www.imperiallogistics.co.za.

Our Opinion on Sustainability

Fri, 11 May 2012 10:38:15 +0200

Sustainability is everyone�s responsibility

On 22 April 2012, it was the 42nd anniversary of Earth Day. In 1970, after the 1969 oil spill in Santa Barbara, California, Earth Day celebrations were initiated to raise awareness of environmental degradation and challenges facing humanity. Fast forward to the future where we celebrate a number of environmental awareness days including the Green Office Week and World Environment Day.

Today, the level of environmental awareness has increased among the general public. There are more civil society groups involved in environmental activities and business has changed its approach to environmental management by integrating sustainability within processes.

Section 24 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa recognises a healthy environment as a basic human right. Despite this, we continue to experience a decline in environmental quality. The 2012 Environmental Performance Index conducted by Yale University reported that South Africa's environment has deteriorated in the past decade, ranking it at 128 of 132 countries.

Everyone has a role to play in improving environmental quality, preserving it for future generations. Events like Earth Day and World Environmental Day give us an opportunity to take action towards a sustainable future by adopting a sustainable lifestyle. The theme for Earth Day 2012 is �Mobilise the Earth�, presenting us with the challenge to take action that will last beyond the day.

What are your plans? Let the IMPERIAL Logistics sustainability team know at sustainability@il.co.za

Are you ready for the opportunities that emerging markets offer?

Fri, 11 May 2012 11:37:05 +0200

Nenad Pacek, author and international expert on emerging markets provided answers to some daunting questions as part of the IMPERIAL Program for Supply Chain & Logistics at GIBS.

Q: In your previous book, you ask why some companies are more successful than others when doing business in emerging markets?� What would you say is the single biggest reason for this?

A: The most successful firms are those that take emerging markets seriously from a strategic and operational point of view. Through the right structure they give emerging markets enough focus, attention and upfront investment.

The most successful firms focus on building sustainable businesses in emerging markets, they focus on outperforming competition over an extended period of time and generally take a long-term view. Those firms that manage their quarterly bottom lines rather than emerging market business usually end up with more problems than successes.

Q: The book deals with a critical issue of talent management. What advice do you have for companies operating in emerging markets on this front?

A: Compensate in line with local market conditions, forget about global pay scales and rules, do your utmost to find the best talent and then do even more to keep them.

Find managers with entrepreneurial traits who can build businesses, not just manage the numbers. Spend enormous amounts on training at all levels. Up-skill leaders with high end leadership skills and keep educating all others all the time.

Q: �All in commitment� seems to be a common theme in terms of what it takes to succeed in emerging markets. You also point out that in expanding into emerging markets, �an arrogant approach is doomed to failure�. What are other common mistakes made by companies?

A: There are still companies that think that they can be winners in emerging markets without deep enough local presence, deep local competencies, capabilities and of course underlying presence.

This might have been possible 10-15 years ago, but with rising competitive pressures from all corners, those days are gone. It is time for all firms to step up the effort and position for an exciting future in emerging markets.

Q: Are Logistics Service Providers taken seriously enough at a strategic level in business today? Are they critical partners to fulfilling emerging market expansion strategies?

A: Absolutely. One of the biggest challenges today in emerging markets business, and particularly in markets such as African continent, getting the logistics and overall distribution right is a major critical success factor. Companies ignore this at their own peril.

Q: What role, in your view should Logistics Service Providers fulfil in driving a company�s expansion into and growth within emerging markets?�

A: There is a tremendous scope for logistics providers to work with clients on key logistics challenges in tricky emerging markets. I think those firms that find creative solutions for getting goods in and out of certain locations faster and more efficient than others will be able to dominate business for years to come.

TFD Nets AMKA Contract

Fri, 11 May 2012 15:12:56 +0200

Pretoria-based FMCG manufacturer Amka has awarded a contract for its integrated logistics services to TFD Network Africa, an IMPERIAL Logistics Group company.

Customer services director Friedel Spies states that TFD�s 35 years� experience in providing logistics services to various principals in the FMCG sector - with a focus mainly on ambient products - was a key factor in the company winning this five-year contract. �TFD provides effective warehouse management, inventory management and distribution, supported by up-to-date IT systems and computerised procedures,� he explains. This contract was won on tender, and Spies notes that Amka was looking for a cost effective, integrated logistics solution, and a provider that could ensure service delivery and continuous improvement going forward. �We look forward to working with Amka, to setting growth goals and helping to ensure sustainable business growth for the company,� he adds. The scope of the contract includes the management by TFD of Amka�s finished goods warehouse in Sunderland Ridge, as well as inbound and outbound transportation.

Amka Products (Pty) Ltd is a privately owned, family business that was founded in Pretoria West in the 1950s. It specializes in the manufacture and marketing of over 600 products in the hair care, skin care, fashion and home care categories. These are currently manufactured in four local Amka factories, and are distributed in South Africa and internationally. The company�s leading brands include Clere, Sofn�Free, Sta So Fro, Easy Waves, Satiskin, Chemico, Perfect Choice, Playboy, Vinolia and Black Like Me.

Supply chain executive Paul Dallas says that Amka is looking forward to working with TFD Network Africa, and to having the opportunity to leverage the logistics specialist�s knowledge and expertise in the FMCG industry to achieve Amka�s strategic objectives. �We are totally committed to giving our customers and consumers the very best quality products and service possible by partnering with industry leaders locally and internationally,� he states.

About TFD Network Africa
TFD Network Africa (TFD), a member of IMPERIAL Logistics within its Consumer Products division is an established southern African Lead Logistics Provider (LLP) that delivers solutions through partnerships that involve the management, optimisation and execution of inbound and outbound logistics, debtor�s administration and pricing. A major player in the third party ambient warehousing arena, TFD offers extensive experience in the FMCG market. With a heritage of 35 years in the industry, the team delivers effective warehouse management, inventory management and distribution, supported by appropriate IT systems and automated procedures to its blue chip clients. TFD services the full spectrum of retail trade outlets, as well as the wholesale trade in southern Africa. For more information, please visit www.tfd.co.za

About IMPERIAL Logistics
IMPERIAL Logistics is a global logistics and supply chain leader that moves business and industry through innovation, inspiration and foresight. Through its established Southern African and International divisions, IMPERIAL Logistics� service delivery comprises fundamental logistics and end-to-end supply chain management solutions to blue chip customers in almost every industry. As a preferred logistics outsource provider, IMPERIAL Logistics positions itself as an extension of its customer�s business, building its customer�s brand alongside its own. IMPERIAL Logistics Southern Africa is a multi-branded business, categorised into six key divisions, namely Transport and Warehousing, Consumer Products, Specialised Freight, Integration Services, Africa and Bulk Commodity Services. IMPERIAL Logistics International comprises five operating units, namely Panopa Logistik, Lehnkering, neska, IMPERIAL Reederei and Brouwer Shipping. For further information, please visit www.imperiallogistics.co.za.

Logistics contributes to strong IMPERIAL Holding results

Tue, 15 May 2012 11:20:05 +0200

Logistics contributes to strong IMPERIAL results

For the six months ending 31 December 2011, IMPERIAL Logistics reported total revenue of R12,4 billion and operating profit of R715 million. CEO of IMPERIAL, Hubert Brody notes that, �Logistics represents almost a third of our business and remains the key area of focus and growth�.
For the same period, IMPERIAL Holdings announced revenue of R38,4 billion and operating profit of R2,6 billion. This represented 22% revenue growth and 23% profit growth when compared to the corresponding period in 2010.

IMPERIAL Logistics�

Highlights for the six months ending 31 December 2011

Our strategic growth initiatives include the expansion of African operations, comprehensive involvement in inter-modal logistics which includes cooperation with Transnet and specific focus on skills development, sustainability and transformation.

�� African operations recorded revenue of R8,3 billion and operating profit of R512 million, an impressive 17.4% growth in��
�� operating profit despite a challenging trading environment.�
�� Contracts with an annual value of R1,2 billion were secured, represented by a healthy mix of new contracts and renewals
�� across almost all industries.�
�� The total value of the contracts, considering the multiple year terms exceeded R3 billion.
�� Internal initiatives were implemented to ensure that clients benefit from the broad spectrum of services offered by the
�� Group.�
�� Exciting progress was made with the standardisation of information technology across IMPERIAL Logistics.
�� Clients receive 137.5% preferential procurement recognition due to Level 3 scorecard and Value Adding status.

IMPERIAL NEC: �tear drop� trailers and Lafarge Gypsum SA contract

Tue, 15 May 2012 15:10:01 +0200

IMPERIAL’S North East Carriers goes the extra mile with "Green" transport initiative

A ground-breaking collaboration between IMPERIAL Logistics company North East Carriers (NEC) and client Lafarge culminated today in the launch of a new “tear drop” trailer that will set new standards for sustainable transportation in Africa.

NEC MD Johann Schreuder says that the new trailer design - which mimics the perfect aerodynamic lines of a natural teardrop - is expected to achieve fuel saving benefits of between 9 and 13%. In addition to this, the design also provides for increased payloads which translate into fewer vehicle trips, he states. The new trailers represent a partnership between NEC and Lafarge Gypsum South Africa, as well as MAN South Africa and SA Truck Bodies, and reflect the companies’ commitment to “greening” the African transport industry.

The launch of the new tear drop trailers follows the award by Lafarge Gypsum South Africa of a five-year primary distribution contract to NEC. Schreuder notes that the company is proud to be adding value to this partnership, with a tailor made transport solution that bolsters client Lafarge’s drive to reduce its carbon footprint. He adds: “We embarked on this journey with Lafarge Gypsum SA as our partner, and it has given us the opportunity not only to add value to their supply chain, but also to boost their operational excellence.”

The scope of NEC’s contract for Lafarge Gypsum SA includes all deliveries to the organisation’s branches and direct to customers. Schreuder says that R5.5 million has been invested by NEC in the dedicated fleet that will be branded in Lafarge Gypsum livery.

In addition to the development of the tear drop trailers, NEC has further enhanced its service offering to Lafarge Gypsum SA by increasing the fleet’s trailer capacity from the standard 34-ton tautliner trailers to 36-ton trailers, Schreuder says. NEC’s existing business with Lafarge Cement in South Africa means the carrier’s world-class safety standards have already earned the Lafarge Group’s stamp of approval, and he says Lafarge Gypsum SA will benefit from this long-standing association.

NEC’s well-established sub-contractor base will be a further boon for new client Lafarge Gypsum. “NEC will leverage its current sub-contractor base and accredited, dedicated sub-contractors to assist Lafarge Gypsum SA during peak periods, providing extra capacity when required to meet demand. NEC is committed to going the extra mile for clients, and it is through superior customer service that we aim to grow our market share in the current testing economic climate,” Schreuder concludes.

About North East Carriers
North East Carriers (NEC) is a Lead Logistics Provider (LLP) that provides specialised transportation solutions across southern Africa. It is particularly experienced within the Construction sector, with Lafarge being a key customer. NEC utilises a combination of its own vehicles and coordinates and aggregates the activities of more than 700 dedicated and ad-hoc logistics service providers (LSPs) to deliver on and exceed its Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with its customers. Real-time visibility is ensured through the implementation of appropriate track & trace technology and integration with the client’s systems where practically possible. For more information please contact Johann Schreuder, Managing Director on +27 11 391 4200.

About IMPERIAL Logistics
IMPERIAL Logistics is a global logistics and supply chain leader that moves business and industry through innovation, inspiration and foresight. Through its established Southern African and International divisions, IMPERIAL Logistics’ service delivery comprises fundamental logistics and end-to-end supply chain management solutions to blue chip customers in almost every industry. As a preferred logistics outsource provider, IMPERIAL Logistics positions itself as an extension of its customer’s business, building its customer’s brand alongside its own. IMPERIAL Logistics Southern Africa is a multi-branded business, categorised into six key divisions, namely Transport and Warehousing, Consumer Products, Specialised Freight, Integration Services, Africa and Bulk Commodity Services. IMPERIAL Logistics International comprises five operating units, namely Panopa Logistik, Lehnkering, neska, IMPERIAL Reederei and Brouwer Shipping. For more information, please visit www.imperiallogistics.co.za.