Bidvest partners with EMO Trans to expand global reach

Tight local and global economic growth conditions have not done the logistics sector in South Africa any good  –  with many companies forced to innovate in ways that would satisfy their customers and enable them to stay afloat.

The logistics industry had not been immune from the pressure exerted on the rest of the services sector, with slow economic growth globally as well as various other factors impeding their operations.

A lack of infrastructural development and unreliable rate of exchange are among other factors that have impacted the industry and its clientele. But one of South Africa’s leading logistics firms, Bidvest Panalpina Logistics (BPL), has opted to expand its footprint globally as a way to deal with the challenges emanating from the country’s poor growth.

BPL opted to split from DSV/Panalpina after 46 years of commercial partnership and trade as Bidvest International Logistics (BIL), effective from early 2020 once all regulatory compliance matters had been finalised.

This after the firm announced that it had joined forces with EMO Trans Global Logistics (EMO Trans) as its global forwarding network partner.

“With the backing of highly regarded services and distribution group Bidvest and its new global partner EMO Trans, Bidvest International Logistics is poised now more than ever before, to take your business to new places by delivering the world as your trusted partner,” the company said in statement Friday.

Through this exclusive agency partnership, BIL’s global reach will extend to 335 network offices in over 140 countries.

BIL’s business development director, Maria du Preez, told Saturday Citizen in a brief interview that the customer-centric focus and global service offering of EMO Trans has made them the perfect choice for Bidvest International Logistics.

Du Preez, an industry veteran, said the industry had been directly impacted by the tight local and global conditions, particularly the fact that there had been no real growth.

She cited, among others, the lack of infrastructure development in South Africa due to budgetary belt-tightening and the fluctuating rate of exchange that had directly impacted on their customers as causes leading to the industry limping in the last several years.

“Our customers don’t see the kind of billings and revenue they would like to have. We are fighting hard to gain new business possibilities, doing what we can to keep our current base and focusing on getting additional business.

“Being in the group we are looking at value added business that will give us a return. We invested quite heavily on infrastructure, such as new buildings and IT system, to stay current and abreast of the market’s demands,” Du Preez said.

“We are fortunate to have long-standing systems, we are not complacent, we have to change our services that we offer to clients as the industry,” she added.

Basically, BIL offered a wide range of services according to client demands in the form of warehousing, cargo distribution, managing of virtual stores, customer brokerage and cross-border transportation via rail, freight and other modes, among others.

Asked about the significance of the partnership with EMO Trans, Du Preez stressed that it was important for them to show that they had international presence and for EMO Trans to strengthen its South African presence.

EMO Trans is no newcomer to the South African market, as it has worked together with Makana Investment Corporation’s (MIC) operating business Sebenza Forwarding for the past 20 years, bringing what Du Preez called “world-class service” to the South African market.

Through this relationship, EMO Trans had developed an in-depth understanding of the South African landscape.

BIL is owned by The Bidvest Group Ltd and the Makana Investment Corporation (Pty) Ltd on an 89% and 11% share ownership respectively.

Bidvest believed that the empowerment partnership demonstrated its commitment to the transformation and empowerment of South Africans.

The MIC was established by late former President Nelson Mandela to look after the families of former political prisoners.

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