Logistics & Transport New business South Africa

Maintain quality standards, maintain advantage

The transport industry has felt the impact of rapid and dramatic changes in the economic climate before the global financial crisis took hold at the end of 2008. Early last year the industry felt the full impact of the fuel crisis more than most. While there has been a reduction in the cost of fuel, the credit crunch has led those in the transport industry to take further cost saving measures. While this is a necessary reaction in such challenging times, maintaining safety, health, environment and quality standards are essential in ensuring sustainability and future growth.

Whilst JSE-listed transport and logistics service provider Cargo Carriers has been SHEQ compliant, ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 140001 accredited for years, the company believes that it is particularly important to maintain stringent compliance to such standards in tough times. This ensures the consistent delivery of high service levels enhances competitive advantage and attracts new business.

“Cargo Carriers has been a trusted and highly respected transporter in the chemicals industry for the past 30 years in South Africa. Our reputation is built on our commitment to the job at hand, our extensive branch network and importantly, on our high safety standards. We believe that it is not only because of our ability to offer competitive and affordable services which contribute to opportunities to grow our business, but also our investment in high levels of safety and quality,” said Cargo Carriers chemical business unit manager Henk Lubbe.

Besides the ISO and SHEQ audits which Cargo Carriers successfully undergoes on a regular basis, the company also implements its own internal audits. Each division has adopted a quality system under which it operates on a daily basis.

“Adopting internal quality and safety audits is an important means to achieving competitive advantage and cost efficiencies as the entire company structure reflects commitment and value for our clients. Every single person in the company takes part in maintaining safety and quality standards - not only our drivers. Each division has a SHEQ co-ordinator, and we have adopted what we call ‘Branch Best Practise' which sets the benchmark in quality and safety which each branch strives to achieve. This allows for continuous improvement as the benchmarks are set higher as they are attained - and is a fundamental practise in what is rapidly becoming a stricter market in every sense of the word,” said Lubbe.

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