Cape Town service launched
WHEN RICHARD Briel started Namibia Express with a single truck in February 2001 he did it with a vision. The business sector was opening up rapidly, and fast, dependable delivery of hi-tech equipment from Gauteng was in demand.
Now, three years down the line, his overnight deliveries to Windhoek involve 11 vehicles, an office in the Namibian capital and a full distribution operation involving third parties throughout the country.
“We offered what I call a budget, or economy, service into Windhoek at the outset, with a guaranteed three-day delivery to Windhoek,” he says. “Today it’s overnight with goods collected in Gauteng today reaching Windhoek the next morning.”
In addition a weekly consolidation service is available for non-urgent freight. The company also started a weekly service between Cape Town and Windhoek in March.
“Computers and equipment comprise 80% of our business,” says Briel. “Pharmaceutical goods make up most of the remaining 20%. What we guarantee those awaiting deliveries in centres other than Windhoek is that they will get their goods within two days of departure from Gauteng on the express service.”
Vehicles travel along the Ôold route’ via northern Cape instead of using the Trans Kalahari Highway.
“We apply for specific clearance facilities at the new Nakop border post on the South African side of the border, and with our trucks arriving there at around 1am, customs officials allow us to go through without delay. At Ariansvlei on the Namibian side, our agent on hand has documents faxed to him and arranges pre-clearance, which again means no delays.”
