Many local companies have embraced the concept with alacrity to offer their clients a highly specialised one-stop warehousing and distribution service. FTW took a closer look ...
Big brother is always watching at new Expeditors warehouse Cameras linked to surveillance company ensure 24-hour security WHEN EXPEDITORS decided it was time to move into a new facility, they did it in a big way. The company took occupation of its huge new office and warehouse operation at the beginning of December.
We decided on a one-stop state-of-the-art customised logistics facility, and we've reached it, says g.m. operations, Richard Mallabone.
The entire concept, having everything under one roof, has been the dream of m.d. Wendy Vorster ever since she started Expeditors.
She and Mallabone put their heads together, designed the entire structure, planned the architecture and now have their administration offices, huge warehouse facility and vast service yard all together on the 16 000sq m stand in Pomona, three kilometres from Johannesburg International Airport.
The overall single structure of offices, warehouse and basements fills 7 000 sq m. The service yard covers 4 620sq m and is specially designed for interlinks and container vehicles.
The warehouse itself is divided into four sections, each partitioned off by floor-to roof wire (the roof is 9m above ground level).
The export department covers 500m, while the remote transit shed or off-airport degroup facility as some know it, takes up 800 sq m. The third section is the distribution area with 2 600 sq m of space and finally the bonded area covers 200 sq m.
The basement can be used for storage and distribution, covering 700 sq m.
Security plays a major role in the entire concept, and Vorster proudly claims this section to be both innovative and the most advanced in the country. The security store, for instance is of solid brick to hold valuable cargo, and is alarmed with full closed circuit surveillance.
Every warehouse door has full camera surveillance with additional cameras operating in what is termed Ôhot' areas.
New technology installed enables the cameras to link into the operations room of a security company situated in another area, giving full camera coverage throughout the night.
The warehouse floor has been specially coated to ensure a dust-free environment, essential to hi-tech equipment, while a sprinkler system has been installed throughout.
Equipment already in operation includes a 10ton mobile scissor lift for handling of any type of aircraft units into the degroup facility, which also has the ability to build units for export purposes.
Five dock levellers for container unpacking plus a range of forklifts and reach truck equipment work inside the building where there are 1 400 pallet positions available.
An extended overhang on the dock enables work to continue in inclement weather, while the company is shortly to have its own diesel bowser installed.
