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Celebrating four decades: Dachser South Africa's expertise facilitates seamless logistics in Africa

In the dynamic and diverse landscape of African trade, navigating the complexities of logistics requires not just a service provider but a partner committed to fostering business growth. With over 45 years of experience and a deep-rooted understanding of the continent's unique challenges and opportunities, Dachser South Africa stands out.

DACHSER South Africa expands coastal cross-docking facilities

Cross-docking, where inbound cargo is unloaded from an incoming container, sorted and then loaded directly to outbound carriers, is an important logistics strategy that keeps supply chains moving in a productive, effective manner.  Logistics leader, DACHSER South Africa, has recently expanded its Durban operations to a new 3600sqm warehouse in Pinetown, Durban.

“The new off-loading and loading bays have increased our capacity to handle a number of containers at a time, enabling us to offer excellent turn-around times,” says Detlev Duve, DACHSER South Africa, Managing Director,  “The facility provides a dedicated central site for products to be sorted for delivery to multiple destinations in the most productive way, saving costs. Ultimately, our customers benefit from a more efficient supply chain.”

Deidre Smith, DACHSER Sea Freight Imports Manager,  says, “We’re able to consolidate shipments, or even break down larger shipments into smaller loads, for easier delivery. Storage and handling costs can be reduced as products spend less time in the warehouse. Cargo also typically reaches its final destination faster, giving our customers a competitive edge.”

Further to a spacious, well-equipped warehouse, Smith says that experienced staff and effective planning are the foundations of a successful operation. “Skilled staff are vital to the operation and management  of the warehouse.  From expert inventory control using Warehouse Management Systems,  through to our material handling equipment operators and cargo handling teams, we ensure that all our staff are well-trained and clear on the different goods and requirements of our customers.”
 

Smith explains that the goods that are most conducive to cross-docking are those that are in steady demand, usually higher volume, fast-moving products scheduled in regular dispatches to pre-planned destinations. DACHSER also has the experience to handle large or complex items. “Of course, the preferred cargo to handle is stackable, palletised cargo that fits neatly into racks can be easily transported, but we’ve become experts in handling the odd and awkward cargo too.  Taking care of customers cargo and avoiding damages is our top priority, and our Durban handling team has the experience to load the trucks safely and correctly.  We also ensure that the appropriate handling equipment is available when off-loading a container and manoeuvring the cargo around the warehouse.”  
 

The DACHSER team handles both Pre-Distribution, where goods are unloaded and despatched according to set distribution instructions, and Post-Distribution processes, usually for retailers, which entails flexible picking and packing according to demand, based on in-store inventory, sales forecasts and trends.

Duve says it is also essential to partner with reputable transporters that offer a regular and reliable service to move the goods from warehouse to customer door.    

“With all the right foundations in place, cross-docking has become part of the seamless supply chain solution DACHSER South Africa offers to our customers, which further includes contract logistics, value-added warehousing, customs clearance and customs warehousing services,” says Duve.

 About DACHSER:

A family-owned company headquartered in Kempten, Germany, DACHSER is a leading supplier of logistics services worldwide.

DACHSER offers comprehensive transport logistics, warehousing, and customer-specific services in two business fields: DACHSER Air & Sea Logistics and DACHSER Road Logistics. The latter consists of two business lines: DACHSER European Logistics and DACHSER Food Logistics. Comprehensive contract-logistics services and industry-specific solutions round out the company’s offerings. A seamless shipping network—both in Europe and overseas—and fully integrated IT systems ensure intelligent logistics solutions worldwide.

Thanks to some 30,995 employees at 393 locations all over the globe, DACHSER generated revenue of 5.66 billion euros in 2019. That same year, the logistics provider handled a total of 80.6 million shipments weighing 41. million metric tons. Country organizations represent DACHSER in 44 countries.

Women leading in logistics at DACHSER South Africa

Three dynamic women in the Cape Town office of DACHSER South Africa, part of global logistics leader Dachser, are navigating their way through a successful career in the traditionally male-dominated field of logistics.

Portia Dryden, Adenisha Jeftha and Sasha-Lee Juter all joined the company through DACHSER’s well-established learnership programme and progressed to become permanent employees. The women share several traits, including enthusiasm for their role in logistics, a capacity to build strong relationships, delight in keeping things running smoothly, and an enjoyment of the diverse challenges logistics brings.

Dryden, now an Air & Sea Import Controller, says that what excites her about her role knowing how essential logistics is in the global supply chain. “It puts a smile on my face when I walk into a clothing store where they are launching their new range for the season, and I know that I had a hand in making sure the imported garments reached the stores in time. This industry opens your world to see how many different sectors work, and in many cases, you gain a deep insight into what happens behind the scenes. The freight industry is multi-dimensional and always growing. With advances in technology, there is always something new to be learnt and that keeps me interested and excited.”

Dryden says although great strides have been made in the last decade, working in a male-dominated field can be intimidating on different levels, from dealing with service providers to liaising with customers, as gender-based barriers have been there for a long time.  “I learned that I had to walk the walk and forget about old, outdated expectations of how one should behave based on gender. Instead, I grew my confidence by learning the trade and gaining the experience. I focused on what I, as an individual, can bring to the table. This does not mean that the road to professional and personal success is challenge-free, but rather that I am both willing and resilient enough to face them.”

The highlight of sea freight controller Adenisha Jeftha’s career was handling her first big client independently after several months of permanent employment.  She then became the key accounts controller on that account and her portfolio has extended to a range of clients across different industries. She thrives on the variety and meeting deadlines. “The constant change in my day excites me - this is not just a A-Z job. I am really motivated by making sure that shipments arrive on time.”

Jeftha says her colleagues and clients inspire her daily. “The relationships we build with our clients and colleagues are a key reason why most staff want to stay at Dachser. We’re more than just colleagues, we’re a family.”

 Airfreight Exports Supervisor Sasha-Lee Juter agrees. “Each new day holds different challenges, different difficulties, but it’s the relationships you build over the years that makes all of that worth it.  Juter is determined to show that logistics no longer needs to be a male dominated industry. “Times have changed so much and I believe the industry has very quickly developed and is allowing more women to steer the ship. To keep attracting women to logistics, companies need to create a culture of equality where we can thrive.”

“I would recommend this career to any individual that likes working under pressure and in a fast-paced environment,” Jeftha concludes. “This is genuinely a great industry to work in.”

About DACHSER:

A family-owned company headquartered in Kempten, Germany, DACHSER is a leading supplier of logistics services worldwide. DACHSER offers comprehensive transport logistics, warehousing, and customer-specific services in two business fields: DACHSER Air & Sea Logistics and DACHSER Road Logistics. The latter consists of two business lines: DACHSER European Logistics and DACHSER Food Logistics. Comprehensive contract-logistics services and industry-specific solutions round out the company’s offerings. A seamless shipping network—both in Europe and overseas—and fully integrated IT systems ensure intelligent logistics solutions worldwide.

Thanks to some 30,800 employees at 376 locations all over the globe, DACHSER generated revenue of 7.1 billion euros in 2021.  Country organisations represent DACHSER in 42 countries, including South Africa.