PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL AND QUALITY SUPPLY CHAIN SERVICES
BAJ FREIGHT & LOGISTICS
2 | Africa Outlook issue 89
SUPPLY CHAIN
Moving Forward with
FREIGHT
BAJ Freight and Logistics represents the enduring spirit of the supply chain industry across Ghana in the face of a past challenging year Writer: Marcus Kääpä Project Manager: Eddie Clinton
Fast, safe, simple.” This sums up the professional and quality service of BAJ Freight and Logistics. A fully Ghanaian owned company, BAJ Freight and Logistics Limited (BAJ) is one of the key companies in the freight forwarding industry. BAJ is a leader in providing customs brokerage, freight forwarding and logistics support in various sectors including the oil and gas sector. The company has two branches at Takoradi and the Kotoka International Airport, Accra, in addition to the
Head Office at Tema. However, it also operates in all entry points across the length and breadth of the country with over 200 current employees. BAJ is licenced to transport dangerous goods and was the first logistics company in Ghana to obtain a permit from the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission to transport radioactive material. The company has the full range of permits for customs house brokerage, ship agency and provision of logistics services.
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Quick Fix Property Management Limited, incorporated in the year 2017, is a wholly owned Ghanaian property management company targeted at the Property Sector and offering a range of property management services with efficient and reliable repair and maintenance services being its strong hold.
The company’s extensive knowledge of residential and commercial properties results in a better understanding of its clients’ requirements translating into the company offering tailored property management service packages, to the utmost satisfaction of its clients. The company operates on the system of a lean team structure connected to a network of the best service providers in the country, for all property related requirements. The company’s services include, but are not limited to, property sale and rental, tenant screening, tenant relations, lease drafting, rent and service charge invoice issuance and collections, utility management, 24 hour security services, janitorial services including refuse management, plumbing and electricals, firefighting system maintenance and
Address: 12 Nii Amaah Ollenu Street, Airport West, Accra, Ghana Post Office Box: PMB CT 431, Cantonments, Accra
repairs, generator servicing and repairs, air-conditioning servicing and repairs, elevator servicing and repairs, CCTV systems, electric fences, access control installations, maintenance and repairs, façade cleaning, water storage cleaning, septic tank dislodging, landscaping, swimming pool maintenance, fumigation, property insurance, property valuation and acquisition of property certification. Quick Fix Property Management Limited distinguishes itself from other property management companies with its custom of an efficient and rapid response system to property management. The company’s property management team works towards achieving one of the highest Client satisfaction rates in the industry by providing “excellent one stop shop services”.
Email: info@quickfixpm.com Office Landline: +233 302 764 998 Mob: +233 244 861408, +233 244 022 493
www.quickfixpm.com
BAJ FREIGHT & LOGISTICS
BAJ FREIGHT AND LOGISTICS AWARDS: • 2014 First Western Regional Business and Financial Service Excellence Award • 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2018 Oil and Gas Logistics Company of the Year • 2015 Best Freight Forwarding Company • 2015 Customs House Agents Award • 2016 Best Freight Forwarding and Logistics Company of the Year • 2017 Haulage Company of the Year • 2017 Freight and Logistics Service Entrepreneur • 2017 Best Company in Youth Development Project • 2018 West African Outstanding Haulage Company • 2018 Ghana Business Logistics Company of the year • 2018 Safest Road Haulage Company • 2018 Best Company in Leisure and Sport Mentoring Project • 2018 Gold Award (5th Business Excellence Awards)
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The company was registered as a business in 2009. The three shareholders, Bart Fred Simpson, Ato Quagraine and Joe Biney, commenced the business with 15 staff members and the company has grown rapidly to become the key industry player it is today, and a member of World Freight Network and Project Cargo Network. Since its inception, BAJ has incorporated its company vision and mission in every aspect of its operation; to be the most efficient logistical, freight forwarding, and shipping agency service provider in Ghana. On top of this, to provide its clients excellent and swift services, employing the best and safest practices, all the while utilising the most modern technology in the sector to the satisfaction of both clients and stakeholders.
BAJ’S COVID-19 APPROACH This is a challenging period of time, not only for individuals and families, but also entire industries. The past year and the shocking impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has forced into the fore the necessity for adaptation in the face of adversity. For the supply chain and logistics industry, this has presented challenges. The increasing and necessary requirements for improved health and safety for drivers, as well as the shift from workplace to working from home for employees, has posed difficulty for many companies. Especially in Ghana, with approximately 43 percent of its population living rurally, facilitating digital connection is a challenge. On top of this, the reduction in global industry activity major resources has caused much of freight to be
WHAT IS THE QUICK FIX APPROACH?
Finnella Morrison Director, Quick Fix
Louis Cofie Director, Quick Fix
A DYNAMIC DUO’S INVIGORATING APPROACH TO PROPERTY MANAGEMENT IN GHANA Finnella Morrison and Louis Cofie are the driving force behind Quick Fix Property Management Limited. A company winning the trust of property owners in Ghana, amidst stiff competition from older, larger and more traditional competitors. Since 2017, they have amassed a client base of respectable names both local and international. The duo was interviewed on their rise up the property scene in Ghana. WHAT WAS THE GAP YOU IDENTIFIED WITHIN THE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT INDUSTRY IN GHANA? Finnella Morrison: The lack of a proper maintenance culture is the main gap I identified within the property management industry in Ghana. Property owners usually start off with beautifully built properties for residential or commercial purposes, which begin to deteriorate quickly a few years down the line, mostly because proper systems of routine maintenance are not exercised or ignored entirely. The resultant effect is a myriad of maintenance issues that feed into the gradual decline of the property. There are the property owners who prefer to manage their properties themselves, with the notion that this approach is cost effective. What they fail to realize is the need for; • An encompassing and continuous maintenance approach • Access to a vetted and trained pool of technical trade specialists • A considerable understanding of the real estate service ecosystem in Ghana, for long term sustainability of a property
Finnella Morrison: The Quick Fix Approach, simply put, is “Rapid Solution Oriented”. Our main objective is to be a rapid response solution towards maintenance and repair work across properties. The key word being ‘rapid’, as response time by service providers in Ghana, is treated with little urgency. By starting as a response system for services, we were able to work out the nuances of working with different technical trade providers. From work ethic, professionalism, timeliness and after care service, we have been able to streamline our pool of technical trade personnel into a well-oiled, end to end property care machine. Four years down the line, the company not only offers exceptional maintenance services, but also manages commercial and residential properties. The larger percentage of our end-to-end management services, are property owners not resident in Ghana. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY SETS QUICK FIX APART FROM EVERY ONE ELSE? Louis Cofie: We apply attention to detail and a ‘dog-witha-bone’ approach to finding solutions to any problems a property might have. Another differentiator we hold close to our heart is effective communication and transparency between property owners, tenants, service providers and stakeholders. We give our property owners frequent updates on their property portfolios, using a system of emails, phone calls, and weekly personal or virtual meetings. We value our position as the central point of contact for tenants, service providers, regulatory bodies and all other stakeholders involved. WHAT OTHER ASPECTS OF PROPERTY MANAGEMENT DO YOU HANDLE OTHER THAN MAINTENANCE? Louis Cofie: Quick Fix has the arm of property sale and rental which include, potential tenant screening, lease drafting, rental and service charge fees’ issuance and collection and tenant care. Quick Fix also offers support and advisory services in the areas of valuations, structural assessments, insurance, legal support and accountancy. CONCLUDING REMARKS We offer vibrant, reliable and dynamic property management solutions. We are the property managers that you definitely need to call.
Accra, Ghana | T +233 302 764 998 | E info@quickfixpm.com | www.quickfixpm.com
BAJ FREIGHT & LOGISTICS
reduced in certain spheres. Crude petroleum for example, that is one of Ghana’s major exports (valued at approximately $4.5 billion in 2019) had dropped in the 2020 period following an international dip in vehicle use due to the multiple pandemic lockdowns. Despite this, BAJ has endured and continues to provide its professional freight and logistics services internationally. BAJ’s services span four major divisions: customs brokerage, port and shipping agency, logistics, and international freight forwarding. The company’s customs brokerage services see less than seven and three business days service turnaround time for ocean freight clearance and delivery at Tema and Takoradi respectively, as well as a 72-hour 8 | Africa Outlook issue 89
service turnaround time for air freight clearance and delivery. BAJ provides technical advice on standard import and export documentation requirements, the effective management of exports (such as documentation and delivery to client doorsteps worldwide), and a 48-hour window to process and deliver clients’ cargo for exportation. Pre-financing facility on third party payments for clients is also provided. BAJ’s port and shipping agency services, that are vital to supply chain operations, are swift and well-coordinated, with the delivery of port agency and husbandry services during port calls ensuring efficient and quick turnarounds for vessels, as well as minimising the time spent in port. BAJ’s excellent relationship with suppliers, contractors, receivers, port authority,
‘THE COMPANY’S TRACKING AND MONITORING SYSTEM IS ALSO LINKED TO A TAILOR-MADE COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION PORTAL, PROVIDING A LOOP FOR CLIENTS TO FOLLOW THEIR BUSINESS IN REAL TIME’
Exact Engineering is an engineering firm that provides design consultancy, construction and project management services to a varied array of clients. Exact Engineering provides a better service as an independent firm of designers, engineers, consultants and specialists. We offer professional services to the built environment. And our work makes a positive difference for our clients and the community.
Founded in 2005, the firm had an initial focus on Civil and Structural engineering. The first design work was an EPC contract for all civil and structural work for Boskudos Quarry at the Anglogold Ashanti – Idupriem Mine Exact Engineering has developed into a multidisciplinary organization that has individuals with excellent talents and knowledge to work on a wide range of projects.
+2335 0893 6914 | +2332 4294 6969 | info@exact-eng.com | exact-eng.com
BAJ FREIGHT & LOGISTICS
HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY The management of BAJ Freight and Logistics Limited is committed to providing freight forwarding, ship agency, custom brokerage and logistics services to organisations and individuals in an accident-free working environment, for employees and the public. BAJ promotes safe working practices and ensure that all reasonable and practical action is taken to make this a reality. BAJ believes that all accidents are preventable, and thus requires all employees to stop, think, assess and respond to any task given to them. In order to achieve this, BAJ ensures to: • Provide the framework for setting and reviewing objectives and programmes. • Provide management, employees, contractors and visitors with adequate information, resources and means to educate employees in all aspects pertaining to BAJ operations and activities. • Ensure that systems comply with government legislation as well as international best practices. • Regularly reviewing company systems and performance to ensure the relevance and continual improvement of them.
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“THE COMPANY ALSO OPERATES 11 CONVENTIONAL EXTENDABLE TRUCKS, MULTI AXLE LOW LOADERS, A 30 FOOT BOX TRAILER, AND FIVE TONER HIAB TRUCKS. TO ENSURE CARGO INTEGRITY AND SAFETY FOR ALL INCLUDED, THE TRUCKS AND TRAILERS ARE REGULARLY MAINTAINED AT TIP TOP CONDITION”
SUPPLY CHAIN
Excellence in service delivery
Putting at your disposal, over 44.500 square meters of modern and secure food grade warehousing space. We offer you bespoke warehousing and logistics services; the size of your organization notwithstanding.
+233 24 333 8778 | www.lynbrok.com Instagram: @lynbrokgh Facebook: Lynbrok Company Limited
immigration, and port health as well as customs, ensures client needs are professionally met. Services include berth arrangement, arranging for pilot and tugboats if necessary, inward and outward clearance (vessels/rigs), loading and offloading of vessel, agency for offshore supply vessel, agency for liner vessel including tankers, agency for rigs, cargo bookings, arranging for stevedores, mobile cranes, and cargo brokers. The company’s logistics services offer innovative and cost-effective haulage solutions for various industries with business units equipped and trained to handle bagged goods (cocoa beans, shea nuts, cashew, rice, sugar, cotton, fertiliser, cement), bulk goods (wood, wheat, construction material, mining extracts), general cargo (cars, electronic equipment), containerised/ liner cargo (a standardised 20 feet to 40 feet in length), and project cargo
(out of gauge goods). To date, BAJ own and operate 45 trucks and 60 units of trailers, ranging from container haulage, to bulk and bagged goods usage. The company also operates 11 conventional extendable trucks, multi axle low loaders, a 30 feet box trailer, and five toner HIAB trucks. To ensure cargo integrity and safety for all included, the trucks and trailers are regularly maintained at tip top condition. BAJ’s team of professionals risk assess every route before dispatching trucks on client business. The company’s tracking and monitoring system is also linked to a tailor-made comprehensive information portal, providing a loop for clients to follow their business in real time. BAJ’s international freight forwarding services follow suit with the level of professionalism and quality seen in the company’s other services. The freight forwarding
includes full-container-loads (FCL), less-than-container-loads (LCL), dry or liquid bulk shipments, full or partial vessel charters (including refrigerated service or on-board cranes to handle heavy shipments to smaller ports), and physical cargo and paper-consolidation programmes to importers and exporters who purchase from multiple vendors. Now, in 2021, there seems to be light on the horizon. As multiple mass vaccine rollouts are transported and provided to people across the globe after a unique and challenging past year, it seems like international industries are going to climb back to relative operational normality.
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