Increasing its footprint in the Western and Eastern Cape is a priority for Scan Global Logistics, which recently opened an office and warehouse in Cape Town.According to Hugh Wilson, vertical head renewables and energy commercial, the plans for the facility include a cross docking and degrouping facility with proximity of the Cape Town International Airport and the airline ground handling agents.“It introduces real efficiencies for our airfreight customers,” Wilson told Freight Newsexplaining that turnarounds were now much faster. “We are also in the process of obtaining our own degrouping license. This will provide us with greater control and visibility of our clients’ cargo.”He said the facility in Cape Town operated 24/7 with full time security and uninterrupted power supply, allowing for business continuity.“We chose the premises in Cape Town carefully ensuring we had the correct location for the premises,” he said. “Our warehouse is ideal for short-term storage and offers value-added services such as kitting, palletizing and pick and pack services. We are also in the process of establishing an office in Port Elizabeth to support our vertical focus in the automotive sector.”According to Wilson, there are numerous opportunities for business in the Cape region as a whole. “Semigration, a growing tourism market and stable infrastructure as well as increasing employment numbers bodes well for business in the Cape. “There is also a move by many of the transport companies from the east coast to the Cape and we are seeing ongoing investment in warehousing and operations that are being relocated to Cape To w n .”He said the region was not without challenges. “Delays in port operations and the windbound factor has an impact on the local market. We lose 30 to 50 hours per week due to the impact of wind and fog on terminal operations. This impacts on landed costs for importers that ultimately affects the consumer.”Loadshedding remained a challenge as well, impacting on operations. “Increasingly, our customers are making alternative arrangements for power supply to keep their supply chains moving,” he said.Wilson said despite the challenges there were opportunities for business to grow, with exports in the province on the rise.
