Kwela plans bonded warehouse in CT

Warehousing facility Kwela Logistics has recorded significant growth, despite recent hard times, according to commercial and administration manager Manie Kruger. Previously well known as a large Leyland vehicle plant, the site was stripped in 2003 and Kwela Logistics took the extensive property over ‘for a song’, with a staff of six and a mere five customers. Situated within easy reach of Cape Town, Stellenbosch and Paarl, today the company has grown to a customer base of 130 and about 50 staff. Plans are currently under way to open a bonded (export) warehouse early next year. “We are most optimistic about the future,” says Kruger. “Negotiations with Sars Customs and Excise are under way right now for the storage of duty-free imported cargo, and we believe that this would make Kwela the only such facility in Cape Town.” Kwela is a 100% owned subsidiary, its business being in third-party warehousing and local distribution handled by its own fleet. The business currently operates out of two warehouses: Blackheath (14 000m2) in the Western Cape, and Pomona (4500m2) in Gauteng. Storing anything from pet food and crockery to gas cylinders and generators, Kwela is a licensed food storage facility and adheres to all safety requirements and Sars regulations. Just two years ago a wine store was added which has proved an ideal site for the local wineries. The management team comprising Lionel Karshagen (general manager), Stephen Pugh (logistics and operations), and Manie Kruger (commercial and administration), has notched up over 100 years’ experience in the industry between them. Last year Kwela expanded business to Johannesburg which, according to Pugh, is still in the growing stages. “Obviously we have suffered from the recession and everyone has been cutting back. This has been our toughest time yet, but we are pleased that our customer base has remained unchanged and we have managed to expand to Johannesburg.” “Kwela” is a Xhosa word meaning “Let’s Get On”, an appropriate slogan for the up and coming business.