Airfreight specialist expands into seafreight

CRICKET BOWLING machines, ferns, flowers,
mohair blankets and excess baggage are part
of the export mix being handled by Port
Elizabeth-based This Side Up (TSU).
The company, which was established to
handle exports of fresh ferns by air from the
Storms River area, has steadily grown its
business and is now moving into seafreight as
well, says managing director Johan Gerber.
Building on the expertise developed in the
export and handling of perishable cargo such
as ferns and flowers to Europe, it has grown
into the biggest airfreight exporter in the
Eastern Cape, and one of the largest in South
Africa, he added.
Gerber says that by routing cargo through
Cape Town rather than Gauteng, TSU is able to
land goods in Frankfurt within 24 hours from
Port Elizabeth and in Amsterdam in 36 hours.
TSU has already handled its first sea
shipment of organic fertiliser, and this new
specialised service is expected to expand, he
says.