Hellmann opens own office in East London

HELLMANN Worldwide Logistics has opened a
stand-alone office in East London as part of the
company’s Eastern Cape investment drive.
The company had been operating out of the
premises of one of its major East London clients
who has since moved.
“We saw it as an opportunity to raise our
profile in the East London area. We see it and the
Garden Route as growth areas for us,” says Keith
Domoney, general manager for sales, marketing
and automotive.
The focus in East London will be on general
cargo as well as Tier 1 and Tier 2 automotive
suppliers.
“Through the global Hellmann network we
are able to offer a specialised groupage service
for exporters and importers in the province,” says
Eastern Cape general manager Liezl Taute.
This makes it possible for companies to improve
efficiencies and reduce costs by moving smaller
than container loads. This allows companies
to reduce inventories and to meet production
schedules.
“Companies are working on shortened lead
times and often cannot wait for a full container.
Through our groupage service they can send the
goods every week or every fortnight,” she adds.
Hellmann has set up a separate division,
Hellmann Automotive Logistics, to provide this
service to the industry.
Other specialist services provided in the Eastern
Cape are the shipping of timber, feathers, fish and
similar products.
Hellmann’s investment in technology means
that the company is able to provide a full range of
services to the Eastern Cape – including the East
London office. “All documentation is now scanned
into the system and handled by our specialist staff.
“The documentation is EDI certified and we
archive these documents for up to 10 years to
provide ready reference for clients who may need
to respond to customs queries some time after a
shipment has gone through. This is provided for on
negotiation with the client as part of our service
package” says Domoney.