A determined
focus on pockets
of growth and
potential growth
in a generally sombre global
economic environment
is paying dividends
for independent
consolidator CFR
Freight.
The airfreight
division has
recorded a
positive start
to the year, with
the Cape Town
office in
particular performing
well ahead of expectation,
says Johannesburg branch
manager, Stephen Bishop.
“Our recently appointed
airfreight manager, Chilton
Corrigall, has injected new
energy into the Cape Town
airfreight branch – and the
results speak for themselves,”
says CFR managing director,
Martin Keck. “We’ve seen
unprecedented growth with
no sign of a slowdown.”
In terms of CFR’s import
product, the biggest focus at
present is the US, says Bishop.
“In mid-April we launched
a block space agreement out
of Chicago based on Etihad,
departing on the weekend and
arriving on a Tuesday. During
a recent visit to the US we
found a lot of interest from
the Midwest region and that
justified the BSA.
“We now have extremely
effective hubs out of Los
Angeles, Chicago and New
York which allow us to
compete very favourably
with traditional players on
these routes. And these are
premium products based on
quality carriers – not deferred
services.”
CFR has also seen massive
growth out of China, says
Bishop. “Our premium
offerings out of Shanghai
and Hong Kong give all
forwarders additional capacity
options out of the Far East
based on premier carriers
at competitive rates. The
strength of our partner in
the Air Cargo Group, Shipco,
brings significant value-added
benefits.”
The company has however
identified exports as a key
focus for 2013.
“We are able to offer
attractive rates into London
and most European cities,
with current promotions based
on a premier carrier. And
Africa, as always, remains a
key market.
INSERT & CAPTION
Offering forwarders
additional capacity
options out of the
Far East based on
premier carriers
at competitive
rates.
– Stephen Bishop
