"The Logistics Company" South Africa:

Serving South Africa’s logistical needs.

Finding an all-encompassing service for the South African distribution sector is not a job that comes easy. However, this distribution specialist, Presidential Logistics, is a one stop shop for a variety of distribution and logistical needs in South Africa. The company—with its head office based in Gauteng—has an array of useful services including Imports, Warehousing, Assembly services and National Distribution. It maintains a high level of integrity with its dependability and cost-effective prices.

Hugh Mclean, Marketing Manager, says, “Essentially we are known as a third-party logistics provider for customers who have importing concerns.” With Import Facilities in Durban, Assembly facilities in Gauteng for National Distribution throughout South Africa and neighboring countries, there has been extensive growth for the company in recent years.

Notable projects

Presidential Logistics is working on a number of noteworthy projects that exemplify its wide-ranging expertise. One main project for Presidential Logistics is a large Furniture Retail company based in South Africa.

Hugh says, “We are looking at a Total Logistics Solution to take full control of all their Distribution to Namibia & other neighboring countries. The company that we are dealing with is focusing on infrastructure, rather  than walls and wheels.”

Presidential Logistics is working on various contracts with Major Furniture Retailers that could have promising results. The company has already created a name for itself in the distribution sector with its various projects, but has goals for expansion. “Our ambition is to grow into other sectors within the South African business environment,” says Hugh. “Amongst others, we’d like to explore the clothing and Household Goods sectors. We are focused on Imported Furniture, and that is where 90 per cent of our business lies, but we are trying to push into these other consumer & retail markets.”

Services

The company’s main service offering is imports and national distribution, as well as warehouse management. When companies move their current operation to a completely, new 3PL system, it is crucial that the winning companies have an experienced hand in the transportation of furniture & household goods. Our Transport is outsourced to about 18 different trustworthy transport companies, each one with their own set of fleet and specializing in a specific area. Having access to different transport companies is essential to compete as a dynamic logistics company.  It enables us to adapt in the blink of an eye to ever changing markets and volumes. We always have the correct size and type of truck available and we do not have the burden of unnecessary overheads during slower periods of the year. With more than two decades worth of furniture & household related transportation experience, such companies can rest assured that Presidential Logistics will be fully prepared to begin operations on Day 1 with no time to adjust to the learning curve.

Presidential Logistics also provides warehousing services for its various clients. It has multi-principle facilities and the company also offers medium- to long-term bulk storage in those facilities if the client requires.

Commitment to social responsibility

The company is a firm believer in broad-based black economic empowerment (BBBEE). It is a central focus for the company and it works toward transforming the socioeconomic landscape where the benefits of economic growth create equality to all societal sectors.

In order to ensure these goals are reached, the company works closely with SEESA on the BBBEE landscape, in addition to ensuring that the company stays focused.

For 2012, Presidential Logistics has goals of focusing on internal skills transfer. This will occur in the form of classroom sessions, mentoring, cross training within and across departments. “Staff will be encouraged to develop themselves as far as possible and taught to take ownership of their development on a daily basis.

The company also supports different social initiatives including organizations such as Rivoningo Care Centre.

Hugh notes that the company stands out from its competitors in a number of ways. “I believe what puts Presidential apart is that we are not a corporate environment. We are not a small player but also not the biggest and we have an entrepreneurial approach to business,” he says. “We have an entrepreneurial spirit and our clients enjoy that because decisions are quick and it doesn’t have to go through a lot of red tape.”

This entrepreneurial take on business, its commitment to social responsibility, and the company’s notable projects has made Presidential Logistics a stand out company in the South African distribution sector.