Greendoor Group

May 2019 was a landmark month in the scheme of Africa’s heightening development ambitions.

It marked the inauguration of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the world’s largest free trade area since the WTO, that promises to accentuate the opportunities made available by the region’s rapidly expanding infrastructure, growing supply chains, broadening distribution networks and advancing mobility. Indeed, owing to the continent’s widespread emphasis on economic integration, these opportunities are now plentiful. According to the IMF, intraregional imports as a share of total imports has almost tripled in the past two decades, now valued at approximately $100 billion.

And that number is expected rise further against the backdrop of the AfCFTA, meaning the future for local logistics players like Greendoor Group looks incredibly bright.

“Logistics is ever changing; no day is ever the same,” explains Richard Hall, the company’s Chief Operating Officer. “It certainly keeps us on our toes. Back when we first started going into the DRC in 2008, there were long stretches of dirt and even one climb where trucks had to be towed by a wrecker.

“Fast forward 12 years, and the roads are now mostly tarred. Challenges remain of course, but trade has become much easier.”

Founded in 2006 by Ken Hall (Richard’s father), Greendoor Group set out to bridge the gap in crossborder transport, meeting the rising

BRIDGING THE GAP Greendoor Group is not merely helping to meet the demand for logistics across the rapidly advancing African continent – it is doing so by delivering the highest quality transport services which always put the customer first

Writer: Jonathan Dyble | Project Manager: Lewis Bush

demand for reliable service providers. And it has been succeeding in its mission. Today, the firm specialises in the transport of containerised and breakbulk cargo between Durban, South Africa and Zimbabwe, Zambia, the Katanga Province of the DRC and beyond.

“We have always concentrated on the southern parts of the DRC with Kolwezi being our northernmost reach there,” the COO adds. “In Zambia, meanwhile, we are focused on the Copperbelt Province and in the last couple of years have travelled further northwest into Solwezi, as well as exploring Angola and Mozambique at the request of our clients.”

GOING THE EXTRA MILE It is this latter point that speaks volumes of Greendoor Group’s culture. By Hall’s own admission, the company prides itself on being a client-focused enterprise, delivering on promises and backing the growth of its customers.

“We have always worked on personal touches and relationships, trying to understand what makes our clients tick,” he affirms. “We consider it highly important to know exactly what is expected of us before making any promises so that we are able to deliver the highest levels of satisfaction across every endeavour.”

Such is not only achieved through the company’s staunch values that include high ethical standards, integrity, reliability and proactive, open communication, but likewise because of its state-of-the-art fleet.

Each truck is fitted with 24-hour real time satellite tracking technologies, providing overriding visibility to the benefit of Greendoor Group’s own operational efficiency and for the peace of mind of its customers. Further, the company offers a range of other value-added solutions including customs entries, bureau inspection valuation assessment control assistance, and warehousing and packaging

350 VEHICLES AND COUNTING

Here, Richard Hall tells the story of Greendoor Group, mapping out the company’s humble beginnings and its meteoric rise in the 12 years since joining.

“My brother and I had spent some time outside of South Africa studying and travelling, and decided it was best to get back to help our family grow the business,” he explains. “My father has always been involved in transport in some form or another, so we were always surrounded by trucks growing up.

“Soon after this in late 2007, my father was lucky enough to have a chance coffee meeting with Mike Koch. After the meeting and some further chats Mike became keen to get involved and took a stake in the company, and with his financial backing we were able to purchase our first vehicles in early 2008 – 20 International 9800s. We continued to grow the fleet consistently through the recession and by 2015 had in excess of 150 vehicles pulling both triaxles and super-links.

“Since then the fleet has multiplied, and we now run just over 350 vehicles along the North South Corridor.”

at its strategically located sites in Johannesburg, Lusaka and Chingola.

As this expansive portfolio suggests, fleet and technological improvements are forever on the company’s radar, striding to find new ways in which its service offering can be bolstered. And alongside the aforementioned, Hall is able to point to a number of other alternative, growth-related investments which are currently being pursued.

General News

Leading name in the clearing and forwarding industry. Last year, the event featured several international pavilions again and a VIP attendance that included three cabinet ministers and the Zambian President Edgar Lungu who visited the event for the fourth year in a row. Agritech Expo celebrates 6th birthday

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Agritech Expo anticipates luring more visitors to its annual agriculture jamboree slated for April. Jervis Zimba, President of the Zambia National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU), the owners of the event said this year’s event at GART is expected to bring more than 20 000 visitors, over 220 local and international exhibitors, including international pavilions from Germany, Italy, UK and Zimbabwe. In addition 3500 VIP and large scale farmers are expected to grace the event. “Agritech Expo Zambia 2019 promises more agro technology and innovation advancements as the event continues to unveil the future for our agriculture,” said Zimba. The Forwarders Where Service Counts Freight Forwarding & Customs Clearing Agent • Air, Sea & Road Freight Logistics • Customs Brokers • Worldwide Service, Worldwide Support • RIT/Transit Bonds available through Zimbabwe & Zambia

Zimba said the 6th event is expected to leverage on the huge success of last year’s Agritech Expo, despite numerous challenges experienced which include the economic crunch and cholera and FMD outbreaks.

Agritech Expo Zambia will feature industry featured zones - livestock zone, live crop trials, machinery and equipment demos, construction park, 4x4 test track, energy park, international pavilions, indoor expo tent, irrigation zone, centre pivot display, agriteach training workshops, vip large scale farmers agenda, sme zone, business zone, aquaculture showcase and nethouse showcase

New features for 2019 include livestock demos and workshops, live planting demos, more agriteach workshop zones and industry support. Agritech Expo Zambia is owned by the Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) and is organised by Spintelligent, leading Cape Town-based trade exhibition and conference organiser, and the African office of Clarion Events Ltd, based in the UK.

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ZAMBIA: 7216 Kachidza Road, Lusaka T: +260 211 286480 F: +260 211 286484 E: logistics@hdcargo.co.zm ZIMBABWE: 22 Simon Mazorodze Road, Southerton, Harare T: +263-4-757721/629/860 F: +263-4-757658 E: logistics@hdcargo.co.zw

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ONE GROUP THREE OFFERINGS

Greendoor Group is made up of two divisions and a very close sister company in the form of Hauloads Zambia, each offering tailored, first-class logistics services for an array of different clientele. These include:

CARGO 2 CONGO: Established to service the growing demand for transport into and out of the DRC and Zambia, it today accounts for 200 vehicles including super-links, 15-metre triaxles and specialised units such as step deck and low deck trucks.

KA GO 2 GO: Specialises in running consolidated express loads to Zambia, a niche market that has grown rapidly off the back of support from mining companies and their suppliers in Lusaka and the Copperbelt Province. Vehicles range from one-tonne to 32-tonne trucks.

HAULOADS ZAMBIA: The first established distribution centre and checkpoint for vehicles in the Greendoor Group, delivering to Zambia and further afield in the DRC. This division comprises 40 heavy haulage rigs currently but with the hope of expanding this fleet to approximately 100 in the near future, that provide the company with greater flexibility by enabling collection and delivery both in Zambia itself and to and from all other neighbouring countries. There are also a fleet of 150 Acid tankers that run between Zambia and the DRC.

“We are hoping to purchase land in the Zambia Copperbelt in order to better service the region and use this as a springboard into the DRC,” he states. “Launching an extensive servicing centre for our fleet is also in our sights as it continues to grow, as is the installation of solar panels at our South African and Zambian depots to reduce reliance on the grid.”

WORKING COLLABORATIVELY TOWARDS RENEWED GOALS These are undeniably sound ambitions given the current trajectory of the regional economy. However, they are not only focus of the company’s current efforts.

Much like its emphasis on

developing and maintaining great relationships with its customers, Greendoor Group equally ensures it maintains similarly fruitful ties with its staff and suppliers.

Hall explains: “Our workforce is very important to us, as our whole ethos is built around our family business structure. The environment here is a happy and exciting one – our low employee turnover indicates that people enjoy working here and are motivated to come and deliver great services every day.

“Likewise, being a transporter, we rely heavily on our relationships with supply chain companies. That includes those who cater to relevant mines in both Zambia and the DRC, as

well as our own suppliers and service providers.”

Staying on the subject of important parties, talk then turns to a fourth critical facet for the company – catering to the needs of the communities in which Greendoor Group operates.

While the company’s leading logistics have helped to transform many a business in the region, a major part of its remit also includes contributing to the local landscape in wider ways, a recent example of this approach being its sponsorship of the Zambian Golf Open. “We have been able to give back to the people of Kitwe via this sponsorship,” Hall states, “something that we want to continue to do moving forward.” But what of the organisation’s other ambitions for 2020 and beyond?

First and foremost, its primary priority will be consolidating Greendoor Group’s position as the flagship cross-border transport company servicing South Africa. Alongside this, however, broadening the firm’s horizons into new markets is a particularly promising prospect and one which the COO is able to express buoyant optimism about.

“As I mentioned, we are very keen on furthering our footprint in Angola and Mozambique,” he reiterates.

“In the DRC meanwhile, the consensus is that exports will likely double in 2020 – a boom that will obviously be very positive for us and we hope that

a fair share of it will exit through South Africa.

“Overall, we have always had a very positive outlook from year to year and I think that attitude has brought us to where we are today. It is very easy to sit and complain about anything in life, but a lot harder to go out and make a real difference.”

GREENDOOR GROUP Tel: +27 11 316 5003 info@greendoorlogistics.co.za www.greendoorlogistics.co.za

AFRICAN BUSINESS Built to Back

With a fully integrated approach to freight, Reload Logistics is inspiring integration and driving development across borders with its best-inclass service offering

Africa – a land brimming with untapped potential. While roughly 16 percent of the global population can be found on the continent, current figures suggest its 54 countries account for just two percent of global trade.

But 2020 marks a new decade and a new era.

Africa is on the brink of transition; its leaders having realised the continent’s potential and the crucial role it can play in the global commodity supply chain. Of course, the success of this transition will be highly dependent on the continued development of transport infrastructure, investment into which is on the up.

GlobalData forecasts that $69 billion will be spent across 448 large-scale

African transport construction projects during 2020, a rise on the $47.1 billion spent in 2019. Combined, these projects will create an additional 75,297 kilometres of newly constructed roads, bridges and railways upon completion – a web of physical links that will pave the way for regional trade to blossom.

“Logistics in Africa is super exciting with many challenges and many opportunities,” explains Ruud Walgaard, CEO of Reload Logistics – one company for which the future looks incredibly bright given the transport-focussed emphasis enrolling across the region.

“It is for sure more exciting here than in Europe or elsewhere. The industry outlook in Southern Africa, for example, is very positive, with new mining projects coming online and bolstering the flow of goods within the region.”

So, where does Reload Logistics fit into this thriving sector?

As a matter of fact, it is already recognised as a major contributor to the Southern African supply chain. With strategic footprints in each of the region’s key markets, it handles and moves more than one million tonnes of essential resources a year, from minerals to metals to soft commodities, helping to galvanise local businesses and motivate trade and transactions. “We are a key player in offering complete logistics services to facilitate the link between supply and demand for various traders and essential commodities such as minerals, metals,

tobacco, cotton, sugar, fertiliser and soft commodities,” Walgaard affirms. “We provide full logistics services to international customers from landlocked countries to ports and subsequently any place in the world.

“Our brand’s success is built on offering solid, reliable and diversified services to our clients. We operate in countries that move quickly and constantly and are therefore always close to the operation to anticipate and react to new situations with speed and efficiency.”

RELOAD’S FIVE CORE PILLARS Indeed, Reload Logistics is a company with an esteemed value-added offering, the company priding itself on five key points of difference.

First is its ongoing investment into an unrivalled physical asset base that includes 12 warehouses situated in key strategic locations across Southern Africa. In total, these facilities comprise 700,000 square metres of warehousing space, backed up by a fleet of 320 trucks.

UNRAVELLING RELOAD LOGISTICS

Launched in 2007, Reload Logistics has grown into one of the leading providers of logistics solutions in the Southern Africa region. In touch with the needs of Africa’s terrain and its infrastructural challenges, the company has become well versed in handling soft and hard commodities and associated products, able to support a range of businesses with break bulk and containerised cargo including vessels, barges, trucks and rail. SERVICES: Warehousing, international freight-forwarding, customs clearing and consulting, transport solutions and project cargo. AIM: To become the foremost logistics service provider in the region, striving to meet the needs of a diverse client base by always exceeding expectations and maintaining well-renowned ethical standards. MISSION: To revolutionise the logistics industry in Southern Africa by delivering breakthrough value to clients, and combining ingenuity, expertise and experience to offer seamless services that demonstrably improve business efficiency.

“As a freight forwarder, Reload Logistics has invested massively in heavy infrastructure which allows the group to ensure service delivery without sole reliance on third parties,” Waalgaard explains. “Reload Group’s suppliers and key partners complement its asset base which increases our overall capabilities.

“Owing to our ongoing growth we are expanding our network, but those suppliers who have supported Reload Logistics from the beginning have a special place in our hearts.”

Through these foundations comes a second key differentiator in the form of efficient management spanning the entire logistics chain, from critical transport and warehousing activities to clearing operations and shipping. Here, Maxime Budan, the company’s Chief Financial Officer, enters the conversation and highlights a range of capabilities.

“Our trucks can transport commodities from mine to warehouse to port; we’re able to store, sample, reweigh, bag and handle goods in our warehouses; our clearing allows us to fast track any cargo, trucks or trains across borders; and we provide sea freight services from ports anywhere in the world,” he reveals.

Likewise, having local managers on the ground in Ndola, Dar Es Salaam, Lubumbashi, Johannesburg, Beira and Durban ensures the company is always close to the client and therefore able to respond to and solve any issues in an efficient and rapid manner.

“This is very much appreciated by our customers. It gives them comfort that their cargo is in safe hands at all times during transit from source to the final destination,” Budan comments, the CFO then pointing to Reload Logistics’ focus on legal compliance and its staff as the final two pillars upon which it has built its success.

“Fourthly, we provide our services in a legal and compliant framework which has allowed the group to attract international companies to the region. This was not the case previously, as companies did not receive enough comfort in terms of the overall framework of operation,” Walgaard states.

“And finally, we invest in our people, providing them with the best tools to grow, perform and in turn support the company’s upward trajectory.”

This latter segment is particularly close to the hearts of both Walgaard and Budan.

Their goal is to invest in local people in particular, Reload Logistics’

A journey of a thousand loads One innovative partnership

At Standard Bank we believe that Africa means business. Our partnership with Reload Logistic is a shining example of this approach. Through their journey to foster and facilitate asset-based logistics, we have provided innovative support which has bolstered their growth. We are looking forward to seeing how our on-the-ground expertise and local insights will sustain their glowing reputation across Southern Africa and beyond.

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employees sent on training courses and given the opportunity to cross borders, gaining international exposure and an understanding of varying logistics-related nuances of multiple Southern African countries.

“We are proud to see specialists from Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania and Mozambique working in our Zambian warehouse,” Walgaard affirms. “We consider our people to be our greatest and most important asset. They excel in looking after our clients’ daily needs.”

CHAMPIONING CSR

In each of the communities that it operates, Reload Logistics actively engages in corporate social responsibility initiatives. In Zambia, the company has been supporting an orphanage and school for mentally handicapped children, for example. Its CSR strategy is built on three elements:

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Taking a global lead towards ecofriendly and efficient transport solutions while contributing to the sustainable development of local communities.

RESPECT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT Committed to protecting the environment through continuous improvement in its business processes, management and services, striving to reduce the impact of its work.

HEALTH AND SAFETY Ensuring every employee is well-trained, supported and equipped, with the belief that a healthy and positive team spirit fosters customer confidence and enhances business reputation.

REALISING THE POTENTIAL Moving forward, this list of key strategic urban areas will only continue to expand as Reload Logistics further broadens and consolidates its reach across the Southern Africa region.

Right now, the company is in the process of establishing itself in Angola and Namibia, its overall warehouse facilities footprint expected to reach one million square metres by the end of 2020.

“We’re optimistic that this enlargement will complete our presence,” Budan comments, “and we’re also looking at extending our fleet.

“Reputation and reliability are vital to logistics in Africa. Our clients, mainly commodity traders and mining houses, appreciate our commitment to speed, quality and accuracy – characteristics that are already upheld by our existing assets, but ones that will be bolstered by these new efforts.” Unquestionably, the coming year will be a busy one for Reload Logistics as it continues to sustain its one-stop logistics shop status and growing platform that is renowned for worldclass service. And likewise, the general industry backdrop in which it is operating is similarly promising.

Not only is the continent forecast to receive roughly $69 billion in transport infrastructure investments this year, but plans to build or expand five major ports (in Barra do Danda and Lobito in Angola, Lekki in Nigeria, Musoma in Tanzania and Lamu in Kenya) are also in the works, set to drastically improve Africa’s connections with the rest of the world.

What’s more, the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) implemented last year has already begun to transform intercontinental trade, drawing an influx of multinational firms that are beginning to recognise the long-term prospects offered by an African operation. These developments stand to benefit Reload Logistics dramatically moving forward, the company perfectly positioned to contribute to the realisation of Africa’s true potential. “We are certainly looking to the future,” the Chief Executive expresses as our conversation comes to a close. “Markets are growing and attracting new players from Europe and Asia. Yet it is our solid investments, our people and our dynamism that gives me confidence that we will not only maintain but grow our market share.”

RELOAD LOGISTICS Tel: +260 212 615 966 contact@reloadlogistics.com www.reloadlogistics.com

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