Bidvest makes further moves into the supply chain arena
5 October 2011. Johannesburg, South Africa.
The proposed amalgamation of Bidvest owned Safcor Panalpina and Rennies Distribution Services (RDS), planned for 1 December 2011 (subject to the necessary approvals), will create a combined entity with an impressive global service offering, says managing director, James Reddy.
The new company will be called Bidvest Panalpina Logistics and will operate from 26 locations within South Africa. The joint staff complement will be close on 1500 nationally.
He adds, “Over the past few years RDS and Safcor Panalpina have played significant roles in contributing positively to the performance of the Bidvest Freight Division. While Safcor Panalpina has operated primarily as a leader in the clearing and forwarding industry, RDS has built up an impressive warehousing and distribution network for clients across 20 locations in South Africa.
“With many of our clients requiring a more integrated supply chain and logistics service offering, it was a logical conclusion to bring the two companies together.”
Reddy says both companies have similar business models in that they both offer dedicated client solutions as well as multi-principal and volume based service offerings. In addition to this, Safcor Panalpina recently invested in a world class operating system whilst, at the same time, RDS has invested in more innovative warehousing and transport management systems.
Adds Reddy, “Safcor Panalpina, although local, has had a global reach in partnership with Panalpina, one of the world’s leading forwarding companies, for the past 40 years. Panalpina boasts a network of over 500 branches in 80 countries and partner companies in a further 80 countries. This global network, coupled with Safcor Panalpina’s and RDS’s local solutions, allows us to offer global door-to-door supply chain solutions for both our current and future clients.
“Similarly, our ownership by Bidvest enables us to benefit from its financial muscle, scale and diversity. Our vision going forward is to offer world class supply chain solutions to our clients and to enable significant growth for our people and our shareholders.”
David Leisegang, current managing director of RDS, has been appointed Managing Director of Bidvest owned Island View Storage.
For further information, please contact:
Mike Manby
Business and Supply Chain Development Director
mikem@safcorpanalpina.co.za
+27 (0)82 317 6389
+27 (0)11 922 9600