Retail boom pumps up the volumes for Kodiak

Citrus adds valuable new niche
JOY ORLEK
THE RETAIL boom has spurred substantial growth for East Rand-based Kodiak Shipping which will more than double warehousing capacity from 2300 to 4 800 m2 in the next few months. “There’s been a significant increase in textile and footwear imports, mainly from China and Brazil,” says managing director Colin Bowring. But other business has also motivated the development. “For the first time last year we got involved in the distribution of Christmas decorations for two of the big name stores. We not only shipped the cargo in but also did the pick and pack which was a completely new departure for us,” says Bowring. “It was a trying lesson but we believe our school fees were well spent and we’re now tendering for the same business again. “We succeeded in getting 98% of the orders delivered before November 17, which was a first for the customer who was clearly delighted.” Citrus provided another lucrative niche for Kodiak which had never previously been involved in any form of perishable transport. “It happened by default,” says Bowring. “We had a vehicle in the area at the time it was required. The customer was happy with our service, he told his friends, and we ended up doing a substantial amount of citrus last year. This year we have gained around four new contracts and based on feedback from the farmers, our service and problem-solving aptitude is what landed us more business.” And it’s an area in which Bowring sees significant growth potential, having entered into what he describes as a mutually symbiotic relationship with Truckit to cater for the large volumes that a contract of this nature demands. Kodiak has already expanded its own fleet from two to eight vehicles and will take delivery of another between June and September.