AFTER YEARS of renting warehouse space, Cape Town-based Econo Freight is becoming fully self-sufficient by building its own premises.
Peter Schultz, owner and founder of the company, told FTW this week that he had purchased land facing the N2 at Airport Industria and that work would start early next year on a 2000 sq m warehouse. Cost, including the land acquisition, is around R2-million.
The new premises will comprise a warehouse with four loading bays, a vehicle maintenance workshop for the company's 20-strong fleet, offices and rest and relaxation quarters for staff.
Founded in 1981 and located in Milner Road, Paarden Island, Econo Freight offers a comprehensive range of professional services.
As licensed customs brokers and freight agents, it arranges for commercial cargo to be sent by sea and air on behalf of importers and exporters. Many visitors use the company to get excess baggage, gifts and vehicles home efficiently as a shared container service is available.
Clients include many of Cape Town's top decorating shops, art and antique dealers who sell to foreign tourists and other businesses. The company is also regularly sub-contracted by other freight agents to do packing and crating, container loading and transporting goods in and out of the harbour.
The company has specialised in international household removals, a portfolio controlled by Peter's son Adrian, who is also involved in commercial exports.
Adrian estimates that about 80% of international household removals - consisting of half of overall business - are on behalf of people leaving the country.
Not everyone departing stays away for keeps, though. Econo Freight is currently moving three families it moved to England, Canada and New Zealand back to South Africa.
Econo Freight is pretty much a family affair. Apart from Peter and Adrian, Peter's daughter Carolyn is involved with credit control, financial planning and human resources.
By Ray Smuts
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