Inside Laser - The Laser Group

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Group Activity: Expanding Laser In this segment, we keep you updated on recent developments experienced at Laser. DRIVEN to DELIVER Time Freight’s Corporate ID refreshed 04 1984 2002 2005 2008 Illustrated above, Time Freight’s brand evolution The impact of the company’s driver performance and service to customers is significant. Time Freight’s distribution network is one of the most competitive in the market. Unlike the majority of the competition, the company’s own operations network and drivers represent more than half the employee population. In 2007, The Laser Group (Laser) developed DPD Laser through its partnership with GeoPost (GeoPost is Europe’s 2nd leading road express operator) in its Express Distribution business. This joint venture has been a milestone in Laser’s evolution and had a positive impact on the Group, and in particular, Time Freight. The launch of DPD Laser brings together two established businesses operating in the ‘express’ distribution market augmenting the Group as a regional express operator with a substantial international offering. With this expansion comes both regional and international development responsibility for Laser and a real opportunity for DPD and Laser to gain competitor market share. Review of Corporate Identity Time Freight is “Driven to Deliver” and a brand new marketing campaign is underway to position Time Freight as a well-known regional logistics business with dominant representation throughout the country. A strategic imperative for any developing business is the ongoing assessment of the effectiveness of its brand and corporate identity. The establishment of DPD Laser and the consequential ‘shared belonging’ led to a review of the logos of its operating brands, and more recently that of Time Freight. Critical to formulating the brand evolution was the brief to build on the existing brand equity; refresh the current logos; introduce the DPD Laser brand and create a more simplistic “look and feel”. Etienne van Ravesteyn, CEO of Time Freight (pictured right) says, “Further to the above brief, the aspects of movement, simplicity and flexibility for change were also introduced.” Furthermore, the drivers receive regular feedback from customers regarding the distribution and service, and the company can define and confirm its proprieties in terms of quality and productivity in this area. Some measures to improve internal dysfunctions and create more added-value for customers have already been implemented. Among them the analysis of routes to plot the best route for deliveries, which led to streamlining the rest of the operation; and reducing driver working hours thereby giving them time off to rest and improve alertness, which also contributes to road and driver safety. An illustration of the brand evolution through the various periods of Time Freight’s growth is shown left. Significant investments by DPD Laser Over the last year, DPD Laser invested significantly in Time Freight’s infrastructure, with hubs opening in Mossel Bay and Cape Town during 2007 and the purpose-built Time Freight depot and offices at Riverhorse Valley in Durban, opening earlier this year. Currently the company enjoys an impressive footprint with over 80 owned depots and dedicated agents strategically positioned throughout the country. Exciting times ahead at Laser There are exciting times ahead - the prospective company evolution following the shift and dedication to move closer to partner DPD bodes well for both GeoPost and Laser to further evolve into a stronger international company. Etienne van Ravesteyn with new branding Saluting Time Freight Drivers This quarter reports a decreased accident rate - well done to all! David Ncwabe of Time Freight
Group Activity: Expanding Laser In this segment we keep you updated on recent developments experienced at Laser. Every picture tells a story... see what’s ‘brewing’ at GAC Laser GAC Laser leads the way to Rosslyn. Aerial view of four tanks on the vessel whilst one of the tanks is lowered to the truck to be transported. GAC Laser does more than just manage freight. The company was commissioned by the Ziemann Group to import five brewery tanks for SAB Miller from Antwerp to Rosslyn. Each tank weighed 25 tons and was 22m long by 6m in diameter. Carol Holland, Terry Keegan and Yasen Khan of GAC Laser in Durban were on site at Richard’s Bay port.. Carol says, “It took 8 hours to offload the tanks using two 150 ton ship cranes and lots of attention to detail. Once on the truck, the transport traveling time to Rosslyn was about 7-10 days. Eskom and Telkom were requested to move lines where they would risk being damaged by the tanks”. The project entailed Forwarding from Antwerp via Zust & Bachmeier, SA Port clearing, SARS clearance, pre-plan meetings with the vessel agents, Stevedores, port authority, port operations, the transport fleet owner and crane operators. Joachim Breitenbach of Ziemann, Germany said that he was extremely happy with the management of the project and thanked GAC Laser for their expertise and efficiency. Carol said “The 8 months of estimating, planning and negotiating with vessel agents, the port and crane owners was time well spent in ensuring that operations such as these run smoothly!” From Cape to China Steel towers, Oil rigs & Containers 5 brewery tanks from Antwerp to Rosslyn Terry Keegan, Carol Holland, Joachim Breitenbach on site in Richard’s Bay. Expanding in Johannesburg GAC Laser has been investing heavily in infrastructure in Johannesburg. Grant Palmer joined the team in January 2008 to head up the region. Grant comes with much experience in business management, and has a combined 15 years of service in the freight forwarding industry. Previously, Grant was a senior executive at ZA Trans. Nationally, GAC Laser increased the Johannesburg team and recruited new sales executives, with experience in the logistics industry. Along with the sales team, GAC Laser has bolstered the back office by upskilling existing staff and expanding the operational capacity. A warehouse of 5 000sq.m and yard of 15 000 sq.m was commissioned and upgraded for more than R800 000. Administrative area refurbished The 25 ton tank carefully being hoisted off the vessel. Grant Palmer Upgraded warehouse With the huge expansion of connectivity through Africa, the company has acquired the export work for Africa Cellular Towers. They provide steel towers to one of the biggest cell phone operators in Africa. Also in the steel sector, GAC Laser continues to arrange the forwarding and clearing for vast quantities of highly graded quality Marine Steel for Cape Marine Steel, which is being used for the repair and maintenance of oil rigs. Another project recently completed was the movement of a container manufacturing plant from Atlantis in the Cape to Tianjin in China. 58 general purpose 40 foot containers, 11 flatracks and two 40 foot open tops were moved during June. Driven by the commitment of all GAC Laser’s employees, the company philosophy of being customer and employee centric simultaneously promises to be a successful combination! Visit GAC Laser’s new website: gaclaser.co.za 05
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Inside Laser - The Laser Group

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