Trans-Tech Logistics moves a range of different products, for a range of different industries, all over sub-Saharan Africa. With a large, high-tech fleet, Trans-Tech is now one of the most trusted and respected logistics companies around.
Trans-Tech Logistics is connecting the African continent. This logistics and heavy haulage specialist has the skills, experience and expertise to suit the needs of any client; big or small, and after opening its doors almost 20 years ago, Trans-Tech Logistics is now one of southern Africa’s industry leaders.
Offering comprehensive, integrated and total freight transportation solutions from collection, clearance and delivery, Trans-Tech conveys all kinds of cargo including break bulk, containerized, hazchem and abnormal freight. Products regularly carried include food, agricultural chemicals, farming implements steel, fertilizer, maize, groceries, cotton, tobacco, timber and grain and several more.
Originally founded in Malawi in 1997, Trans-Tech has been run successfully by Managing Director, Ufulu John Loga. He tells Enterprise Africa that, conditions allowing, the company will continue on an accelerated growth path.
“We have around 140 people and 100 trucks in our fleet. We do have plans to expand this further in the future but of course this will depend on the economic situation.
“Our growth is dependent on the economic situation. We have seen reductions in spending from some customers because of the economic uncertainty in South Africa but we have managed to remain successful thanks to our versatility, operating in different countries and different industries.”
But despite slow economic growth rates and the bleak outlook for the short to medium term, the position of the industry remains stable and looks relatively good for the long-term.
Global professional services firm, PWC, said in a recent report titled ‘Africa Gearing Up’ that: “African logistics stands for the chance to build tomorrow’s markets. And while tomorrow is still uncertain, logistics strategists can’t afford to ignore the African market of the future.
“One of the most important factors in Africa’s future development will be increasing cross-border trade.”
And it’s this ‘cross-border trade where Trans-Tech really sets itself apart.
“The company was formed in 1997 in Malawi and we opened our office in South Africa three years ago. The reason for this is that we wanted to bring operations under one umbrella as previously we were dealing with brokers,” explains Loga.
“We are well versed with cross border regulations and policies and that comes from our experience which is something that not all other companies have.”
With Africa becoming more connected than ever, this knowledge is hugely important but it’s also significant to remember that Africa is made up of 54 different nations with many different languages and cultures so movement across borders isn’t always easy and a sound understanding of the legislation goes a long way.
As one of the largest and wealthiest economies in Africa, South Africa represents a huge opportunity for transporters. The road network is good and the supporting transport links, such as air and train, are well established and the largest on the continent. South Africa also has good relationships with the rest of the world in terms of exporting. Importantly, more than 75% of manufacturing firms in South Africa export to African countries and the government has announced big spending plans in the infrastructure sector meaning that there are huge opportunities for cross-border logistics companies like Trans-Tech.
Interestingly, Loga suggests that Namibia and Zambia are target markets for Trans-Tech. these markets have been identified by a number of logistics firms as target regions because of the big projects that continue to be announced in the mining and minerals sectors Already well-versed in a number of sub-Saharan African nations, Trans-Tech utilises state-of-the-art technology to ensure customer satisfaction.
“We currently work across Malawi, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Mozambique and the east of Zambia. We would like to expand in the future and work across the rest of Zambia and also Namibia.
“Today, we have one of the largest and most advanced fleets in Malawi. Because of this, we take a big share in the market,” says Loga.
All Trans-Tech vehicles are fitted with real time Web Track GPS & Satellite Tracking Systems from Global Track meaning that journey progress can be tracked at all times and the client can keep a close eye on their cargo, receiving warnings if there is a breakdown or any other serious problem such as a security situation.
Trucks are also equipped with specialist monitoring and communication technology to ensure that the company and client can remain in constant contact with the driver, sharing information about their route and the condition of the cargo.
Giving further assurances to clients, Trans-Tech ensure that all vehicles are serviced regularly at state of the art service centres in Johannesburg, Lusaka and Lilongwe. “All our drivers have 24 hour telephonic access to our workshop staff and all trucks in transit, with mechanical defects, are attended to by one of our partners depending on their location. No truck is allowed to leave our premises without a standard mechanical roadworthy check,” explains Loga.
Carrying around 30 tons, Trans-Tech vehicles are active across a range of industry sectors and move goods of varying nature.
“We move food, agricultural chemicals, farming implements, steel, fertilizer, maize, groceries, cotton, tobacco, timber, paper, grain and many other goods. Our product portfolio is diverse and that helps us gain new business and spread risk,” says Loga.
Only three years into its journey in South Africa, Trans-Tech has a long road ahead and with the investment climate in the sector, according to PWC, looking extremely positive, it looks likely that Trans-Tech will prosper in the future. This is a certainly a company in pole position and as growth on the continent continues, Trans-Tech will be there to drive business forwards.