Turners maps out 2012 expansion plans

Turners Shipping plans to expand
its operations into the United
Kingdom, Germany and China
in the coming year, Group CEO
Conrad Cochrane-Murray told
FTW.
“We have been planning this
for some time and the decision
was confirmed after the BDP
Global Network Forum at the end
of last year when we were able to
meet with Network partners and
affiliates based in these countries,”
said Turners
As a partner in BDP
International, Turners Shipping is
able to share resources in strategic
areas. “We will be employing key
personnel who will be based in the
local BDP offices.”
The first such appointment
has already been made. Sebastian
Nagiah, who has logistics
experience in the South African
industry, is based at Heathrow
Airport. “The United Kingdom
is one of South Africa’s busiest
freight routes and its potential for
growth made it the natural choice
as the first of the three new offices
for the company” said Cochrane-
Murray. “Many of our customers
do business in the region and this
local representation will enable us
to offer a more efficient and costeffective
service,” he said.
By the end of the first quarter the
company will be operating on the
same basis in Frankfurt where an
employee will be based, providing
better reach into Europe. Plans are
under way to appoint someone in
Shanghai to extend its operations
in the Far East, a region that
represents massive trade potential
for the local market, he added.
This expansion follows on
from the restructuring of Turners
Shipping in 2011. This saw Blain
Kondiah being appointed as
managing director, responsible
for the company’s day-to-day
operations, and Cochrane-Murray,
who previously held that position,
taking on the role of CEO,
responsible for setting strategic
goals, policies and objectives for
the company.