Africa network thrives on the back of aggressive expansion drive

Logistics company Transitex
has embarked on an
aggressive
expansion
drive that
has seen
the opening
of new
offices and
warehouses
across
southern
Africa.
It has also
reinvented
itself as a
logistics
solutions
provider,
adding value
through the
acquisition of
resources.
“In a tough economic
environment, there are two
options,” said Transitex’s
Tiago Martins, “you can
either downsize or push for
growth – and we’ve chosen
the latter.”
Established in Spain in
2002, the company has seen
consistent
global growth
– and in
southern
Africa there’s
been particular
emphasis
on the
Portuguesespeaking
countries, with
its presence
already firmly
entrenched in
Mozambique.
“We see
South Africa
as the hub for
the rest of the
continent and
currently have
offices in Johannesburg,
Cape Town and Nelspruit,”
said Martins.
Last year saw the
opening of an office in
Angola, Namibia opened
on September 1, while
Zimbabwe, Zambia and
Malawi will follow next year.
“We are particularly
upbeat about Zambia
where we already have good
relationships,” he said.
The construction industry
has been part of the
company’s DNA from the
start – and it will continue
to be an area of focus going
forward, along with project
cargo, mining commodities
and perishables.
And as a logistics
provider, Martins believes
that the company’s value
proposition is significantly
enhanced.
It will be replicating
what has been achieved in
the likes of South America
where it owns a fleet of 30
trucks and has invested
heavily in warehousing.
“We are doing the same
thing in South Africa. We
opened a warehouse in
Isando last month and
currently have a fleet of
10 trucks.
“Based on our
current growth we
expect to expand
our warehousing
facilities in the
near future.”
Perishables
are a big focus for
the global
company,
according
to Martins.
“We do
80 000
TEUs a
year, 15%
of which
is fruit –
mainly
from
Portugal,
Italy and
Spain
to South
America.
“Our plan
is to draw
on our global experience
with some of the biggest
importers and exporters
worldwide to grow our
Cape Town perishable
customer base.”
INSERT & CAPTION
We will be replicating
what has been
achieved in the likes
of South America
where the company
owns a fleet of
30 trucks and has
invested heavily in
warehousing.
– Tiago Martins