INDUSTRY FOCUS: LOGISTICS

Continued from page 38 that has already given us great results through having fuel-efficient latestgeneration trucks. Additionally, we are exploring solar and battery energy at all our warehouses. Our flagship Intermodal solutions tick the box for sustainability for us and our clients, removing hundreds of trucks and replacing it with singular train units.”

The national warehouse footprint of the company has allowed for the large fleet to be catered for carefully. Daily technical inspections from a team of experts ensure client cargos remain safe and secure while in transit. The company also enjoys the support of OEMs when it comes to fleet maintenance and upkeep to keep trucks and trailers in top operating condition.

“Importantly,” adds Naidoo, “our highly skilled and loyal drivers protect the longevity and condition of our fleet. We have created a culture wherein our people consider Titan Cargo as their own and this forms a large part of our competitive advantage.”

In the future, ongoing development and growth of the fleet is already planned. Renewal and acquisition will happen in line with growing demand from clients.

“These programs are continuously adding to the much-needed future transportation capacity that Titan

Cargo needs,” explains Naidoo. “We are investing in new fleet capacity ahead of demand so that as our customers grow, we are able to meet their new capacity demands. Our fleet programs are very progressive and aggressive.”

Again, the strategy has been verified in the faith that clients have shown in Titan. Powerful growth has been achieved, moving from two customers just a few years ago to more than 20 blue-chip customers today. The fleet boomed from 20 to 200, and team grew from 15 to 350 people in the same period of time. “Our growth is testament to the fact that our service offering is extraordinary, and the market is receiving this well,” says Naidoo.

Overcoming The Bumps

Growing a sizeable organisation in South Africa has not been easy recently. Success in business is never simple,

Continues on page 42

“Transport Solutions for a better tommorow”

As a leading commodity transporter, our company boasts a diverse neet of petroleum tankers, lnterlink tautliners and combination side tippers to meet all our customer’s requirements. Our vehicles are maintained to the highest standards and our drivers are trained to provide prompt and effecient delivery of your products backed by a 24/7 hour control room. Skye Energy t/a Skye Logistics Is a SQAS compliant company which gives our customers further peace of mind.

We offer personalised and cost-effective solutions to meet the unique needs of our customers. Whether you need transportation for a single shipment or ongoing logistics support, we have the expertise and resouces to help your business succeed.

Continued from page 40 but when added economic pressures and global Covid shutdowns are added to the mix, you get an extraordinarily tough environment. Several additional factors also come into play when considering growth and sustainability, but Titan Cargo has used all the experience from within its team and the communities in which it operates to develop a company that adds real value.

“Titan Cargo’s key strategy to mitigate against economic shocks is to rapidly scale up its existing warehousing and transport business, as well as on-board more blue-chip customers. Additionally, Titan Cargo has over the years developed a very flexible model of operating warehouses efficiently for flex-up and flex-down demands and this is what helped us to thrive and grow during the worst economic shocks of the past,” details Naidoo on the company’s vast experience.

He takes the choice of optimism amid a myriad of negative factors and, importantly, is well-prepared for challenging conditions.

“We are concerned about the ongoing energy challenges in South Africa. However, Titan Cargo has taken an approach of contributing and implementing energy solutions as opposed to complaining. Titan Cargo firmly believes that if all of us come together and assist the South African government, we will make a positive influence in alleviating the energy challenges we are faced with, and leave future generations with a vibrant and growing economy.

“The availability of skilled logistics people is always a challenge,” he adds. “However, our solid market reputation has assisted us greatly in attracting the right people. We also recruit from the communities within which we operate in, as local community upliftment is one of our sustainability strategies. We hire for attitude and personality and we train for skills.”

He highlights the company’s agility and nimble approach as key in remaining in pole position in around the country’s ports, saying that challenges have presented opportunities. As clients have been faced with true difficulty, Titan has been able to display strength – not unnoticed by the rest of the industry, demonstrated by its growing number of blue-chip clients.

TOP GEAR?

As the company cruises into top gear, beating rivals on price, efficiency, and results, ambition has not diminished. There is no plan for consolidation or slowdown. According to Naidoo, growth remains the driver of everything the company does.

“We are currently exploring warehouse collaborations in Southern

African Development Community (SADC) countries as well as in the Indian Ocean Islands. There are definitely opportunities in SADC and Indian Ocean Islands for A-grade FMCG warehouses that are highly integrated with road transport for route to market capabilities.

“Our brand has become synonymous with giving blue-chip customers competitive advantage in their route to market strategies. Our uniqueness lies in our simplicity.”

Clearly, Titan’s approach of doing ordinary things in an extraordinary way is paying off. Every seemingly unnecessary task, basic process, or simple action as grouped into a larger structure and reinforced with quality. But this extraordinary ability and delivery is only capable with great people, and Naidoo pays tribute to

Titan’s unique human resource.

“We intentionally protect our nimble-footed flat organizational structure, openly encourage and reward innovation and creativity so that we adapt quickly to market changes and are able to respond rapidly and flexibly to customer needs.

“We have created an empowering environment where our people thrive, are passionate and want to solve customer challenges. This we believe is our competitive advantage,” he concludes. “We do what we say and deliver what we promise, consistently and with appreciation for our customers.”