In tough times, hands-on service will keep business viable

Having already seen a downturn in
business, prospects for 2009 are
not looking rosy.
But, says Kevin Dagnin of Kay Hil
Freight, remaining hands-on with high
levels of service will go a long way
to keeping the business viable through
tough times.
“We expect 2009 to be difficult having
already started to see a downturn in
business as early as August last year,”
says Dagnin, who along with Hilary
Woelk created Kay Hil Freight in 2000.
Specialising in freight forwarding and
customs clearing to Lesotho only, Kay
Hil offers a daily courier line haul and
distribution service.
By specialsing in one country, the
company is able to control its operation
and run a tight ship, says Dagnin.
“I am based in Johannesburg while
Hilary is in Lesotho. We have built relationships with Sars and LRS (Lesotho
Revenue Service) and this helps speed up
customs-related queries,” says Dagnin.
Client satisfaction is high on
the agenda for the organisation with
deliveries in Maseru completed daily
before 12pm while they also cover all
outlying areas. This, says Dagnin, is
thanks to a local collection and delivery
fleet in Lesotho.
With a combined staff of 40 employees
in South Africa and Lesotho, Kay Hil
Freight knows its market.
“By using freight/courier companies
who specialise in cross-border operations,
clients will find that their consignments
are delivered expeditiously. Their
knowledge in preparing and submitting
customs documentation, as well as their
local knowledge of the country, is the
secret of a successful transaction.”
Woelk was recently voted in as
chairman of the newly formed Lesotho
Freight Forwarders’ Association.