Concordia acquits all manifests electronically

Joy Orlek
RECOGNISING THE competitive benefits of electronic connectivity, Concordia International Forwarding, has taken its capability to the next level. Using the Freight Fusion System, the company is now in a position to acquit all manifests electronically with SA Revenue Service (Sars). “This includes the outturn report,” says CEO of FFS Brian Mulligan, who lists time, effort and cost-savings as the prime benefits of the system. “Clients no longer need to follow a manual process in acquitting their manifests or providing their outturn reports to SARS. “Our goal is to provide systems that seamlessly integrate with Sars, National Ports Authority, airlines, shipping lines and any other entity with which they need to exchange information.” Focusing on a well defined niche – inbound cargo from the US by air and sea – Concordia has registered consistent growth in its 20 year history, says managing director Richard Rattray. Marketing what it believes are the most favourable transit times from US ports, the company offers weekly groupages into Cape Town, the first port of call from the US, and uses only roadfreight on the Gauteng leg. This ensures that cargo reaches Johannesburg 48 hours after the vessel has docked in Cape Town. "Containers are unpacked at our Isando depot and deliveries to agents take less than ten minutes," says Rattray. An off-airport degroupage centre provides similar speed and efficiency for airfreight consignments. When speed is of the essence, electronic capability is a key element, says Rattray.