Transport and logistics specialist, Concargo, looks back on 30 successful years in supply chain and road freight logistics in Southern Africa.
Meticulous planning, tailor-made solutions, attention to detail, delivering on time and within budget and keeping clients happy – that, in a nutshell, is South Africa-based Concargo (Pty) Ltd’s secret to beating the competition in the fast-paced, highly-competitive freight forwarding and logistics industry.
This success story began back in January 1987 when Concargo was founded, in Cape Town, by David and Beverley Kruyer. Today – 30 years on Concargo is represented throughout Southern Africa.
The company offers an ever-expanding portfolio of supply chain solutions and transport planning with customer services as its foundation, supported by strategic partnerships and alliances.
‘Our philosophy from day one was ‘service above all else’ and this has remained the basis for all our relationships,’ says David Kruyer, founder and MD.
‘We are dedicated to preserving this viewpoint as a constant in all our planning and interactions with clients and suppliers. Our challenge is to find solutions and implement them while exceeding expectations.’
Reflections over the decades
‘When I look back to our humble beginnings and where we are today, we are clearly doing something right. I can only attribute our success and longevity in the industry to solid partnerships with clients and service providers who have loyally stood alongside us as we’ve grown.’
It takes teamwork
Being successful in the freight forwarding industry requires teamwork and synergy of planning to ensure the smooth passage of cargo. Concargo boasts a dedicated and skilled team, as well as strategic business partners, working together to ensure a seamless and co-ordinated solution – whether transporting within South Africa or across borders into Africa.
The highly experienced team has decades of experience: Greg Tighe, Projects Director has been with the company for 28 years; COO, Dean Page for 16; Director of National Transport Janine Conradie celebrates 23 years at Concargo while Loretta George, Accounts Manager, has being around for 17.
‘Our management team is solid and has the experience to adapt to the new challenges presented by this ever-changing industry,’ says Kruyer.
‘Transport logistics in Africa is a vibrant and exciting industry to be part of. Our desire is to mentor a future generation by showcasing transport logistics as a career and are excited to have four logistics graduates join us as interns this coming year.’
Solutions driven
Over the years Concargo has been presented with some notable and rather unusual projects which have required intricate pre-planning and creative thinking to meet the brief, especially within tight time constraints.
These include:
• Managing the transport and logistics for big budget movies such as Racing Stripes, Home Alone, Lord of War, Blood Diamonds and more
• Co-ordinating and managing the transport and logistics for BMW’s international media launch of its 650 cabriolet series in Cape Town
• High security transportation and escorting of Grade 12 examination papers from SA printers to the education ministries in various Southern African countries
• Transportation of abnormal loads such as wind tower tubes, mining bucket wheel reclaimers, combine harvesters, 100 ton LP heaters for Medupi
One of the most challenging projects took a total of three months to complete, a month of planning and two months of transportation. It involved relocating 45 loads of bucket wheel reclaimers from Saldahna to Sishen South mine. Considered abnormal out-of-gauge haulage and at 9m wide, the transportation required special permission and escorts as it snaked its way up and over the steep Piekeniersberg Pass, in four hour intervals (to allow for other traffic to pass) as part of the route.
Three transport divisions, scalable business model
Concargo has three distinct transport divisions encompassing all aspects and types of logistics solutions, namely: Road Transport Short-haul and Long-haul and Express Distribution throughout South Africa; Road Transport Cross/Over Border via all Ports in SA, SADC and neighbouring countries in Sub-Saharan Africa; and Project Cargo Management, Abnormal Out-of-Gauge, Heavy Haulage and Mobile Crane and Rigging Services, Relocation/Mobilisation Services.
‘We have invested heavily in customer relationship management (CRM) systems to preserve our knowledge base for the benefit of our customers while encouraging old school personalised service. Our business model is highly scalable due to its Owner Driver Hauliers and Sub-Contractor fleet base.
‘We can supply from 1 to 100 trucks, or more, at short notice, especially when a ship docks and cargo needs to be discharged on a scheduled basis.
‘Our Project Department, manned with highly qualified engineering specialists and experienced in all aspects of project transportation, assess the scope of work, survey the terrain, and quantify the end-to-end solution to complete the project,’ explains Kruyer.
Forward thinking
‘We have had to learn to adapt and innovate as never before. But the need to keep pace with these changes has a cost, and how we address these challenges must, in the end, benefit our customer and service providers. That’s why collaboration amongst all players in the global supply chain community has never been more important.’
‘Our experience is invaluable in being able to handle complex logistics and we have proved that no problem is insurmountable.
‘We would not have made it this far without our clients and partners and we thank them for their loyal support. We are energised about the future and look forward to continuing to be the ‘go-to’ company for transport and supply chain logistics in Africa.’
Contact details:
Concargo (Pty) Ltd
Concargo Building
6 Tierberg Road
Parow East
Cape Town, 7500
Sharecall 0860 25 26 27 International: +27 21 930 9160
www.concargo.com management@concargo.com
