Outsourced logistics gains ground in Namibia

More and more companies
in Namibia are looking at
either extending their own
warehousing capacity or
outsourcing the logistics/
warehousing to a partner,
according to Olaf Liebich,
warehouse manager for
Transworld Cargo.
“Warehousing for
manufacturing and
trading companies
means capital in stock,
infrastructure and
equipment, as well as
operational staff costs.
Outsourcing logistics
services is common
practice in developed
countries and coming to
Namibia as well,” he said.
“This gives companies a
monthly fixed or activityrelated
logistics cost
without the need to fix
capital.”
Warehousing is an
essential part of every
trading or manufacturing
company. The logistics
industry must assist
these industries to
make every company’s
logistics more reliable
and cost-effective, said
Liebich. “The warehouse
service provider has
the advantage of
using resources like
warehouse equipment,
facilities, personnel, IT
infrastructure and the
like for multiple clients,
which results in cost
savings. Investments in
new technologies like
RFID can be split across
multiple heads making
progress more affordable.”
According to Liebich,
Transworld Cargo is
currently constructing
6000 sqm of warehouse
space with 2000 sqm of
office space within short
reach of the Windhoek
CBD as well as new
warehouse facilities at
the coast in Walvis Bay.
Construction will be
completed by July 2012.
“In the meantime the
implementation of a new
warehouse management
system in April this year
will enable us to cater for
all the needs of clients,
allowing for web-based
order-placing and stock
level control.”