inside Autumn 2008 - The Laser Group

inside Autumn 2008
An internal publication keeping the team informed, involved and updated.
The Laser Group
Level 2, Dean Street Arcade,
Dean Street, Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa
Telephone: +27 21 659 4000
Facsimile: +27 21 659 4090
E-mail: info@laserserv.co.za, Web: www.laser.co.za
From the Editor
The Laser Group has reached a stage in its
evolution where enhanced communication
with all the Group’s stakeholders is
recognised as a fundamental part of our
business and future.
We will be introducing Group
communication initiatives, with the objective
being to share more information that is both
relevant and interesting with all of our
stakeholders. This information will ensure a
better understanding of The Laser Group
and its operating divisions and will help
towards fostering a greater sense of
belonging to the Group.
Allow me to introduce the very first
Group-wide publication inside Laser, where
we share more about Laser’s business, its
markets and people.
In this issue we give you insight into the
structure of Laser and its international
partners and inform you of some of the
exciting developments taking place
throughout the Group.
We present you with an autumn edition, and
hope to distribute a new issue every season.
Feroza Petersen
In this issue
Message from the Centre
Laser internationalises and enhances
organisational capacity
Time Freight invests
in infrastructure and people resources
GAC gears up for Global Action
and seizes business opportunities
Dawn Wing grows internationally
and injects new life into its logo
Laser featured extensively in
media
Partners expand
and increase footprint
Exceeding targets
meet a leading Laser colleague
Industry news

Message from the Centre
In this segment the Group CEOs share some of The Laser Group’s highlights.
It is with great pleasure that we write this first “Message from the Centre” – our way of
sharing with you some of the Group’s highlights on a quarterly basis and importantly,
some of the factors that are influencing us and Laser in our quest to develop Laser as a
household Logistics brand.
Laser internationalises
In many ways Laser has reached another
important milestone – the
‘internationalising’ of two of its three
operating subsidiaries.
Laser partnered, effective 1 January 2007
with GeoPost Intercontinental SAS (a
subsidiary of La Poste, the French post
office) in its Express Distribution business
and with Gulf Agency Company Ltd.
(GAC) in its International Forwarding
business. We are confident that the
integration processes are now largely
over and accordingly substantial efforts
will this year be placed on expanding the
Group’s global reach.
You will be introduced in more detail to
our international partners later on in this
publication and we will seek to keep you
abreast of their developments and ours in
subsequent publications.
Optimism and Opportunities
There is much talk at the moment about
South Africa and South Africans facing
greater economic and political challenges.
We remain optimistic that opportunities
will continue to present themselves and
that Laser will be in a position to grasp
those.
It was during a similar economic
environment in the late 1990’s and early
2000’s that the existing businesses of
Laser were acquired. The buoyant years
that followed – between 2003 and late
2007 in particular – enabled the Group to
capitalise on the opportunities identified
and the decisions taken at that time and
then to grow all of its operations
significantly.
Having reached the milestone referred to
above, we remain clear as to Laser’s
ambitions and priorities:
� The development of ‘Laser’ into a
strongly recognisable, dominant and
sustainable logistics business and
brand;
Page 2
� The development of DPD Laser
(through the operating brands of
Time Freight and Dawn Wing) into a
regional express operator with a
substantial international offering;
� The development of GAC Laser into
a prominent contributor within the
GAC Global network represented in
more than 240 offices covering
1 000 locations worldwide; and
� The development of Laser Logistics
into a more diverse ‘niche’ operator
with a substantially increased scale
of business to more effectively
balance and support the other
Group activities.
Enhanced organisational capacity
We are delighted to say that all of our
operating businesses are being led by very
capable and committed executive teams.
Alongside these competencies and so as
to achieve the ambitions and priorities
referred to above we have supplemented
and expanded our Group structure. Our
structure now includes resources to
enhance the Group’s capacity to seed and
secure new business prospects whilst also
more actively leveraging opportunities
from within and across our business
units.
Communicating through
inside Laser
Critical too to achieving and supporting
the above, we recognise that the Group’s
communication capability requires
constant attention and focus. We will
actively find ways to improve our
communication both within and also
outside our Group. insider Laser is a
critical part of this initiative.
We hope you find this and future issues
informative and compelling reading.
Michael Fuller & Philip Hayes
Laser’s
1
2
3
4
AMBITIONS & PRIORITIES
Developing Laser into a dominant
logistics brand.
Developing DPD Laser into a regional
express operator with an international
outbound offering.
Developing GAC Laser into a
prominent contributor within the GAC
global network.
Developing Laser Logistics into a more
diverse ‘niche’ operator with a
substantially increased scale of business.

Brief historical
overview of Laser
1971 – 1998:
Laser listed on the Johannesburg Stock
Exchange in 1971 and emerged as a group of
prominent household removals brands and
business – Stuttafords, Pickfords and Frasers.
1998–2002:
A period of much corporate activity culminating
in the sale of the removals business and the
introduction of a number of businesses in both
the logistics and HR industries. At a time when
‘outsourcing’ of services really gathered
momentum Laser broadened its service offering
and sought to become representative in a
number of activities across the supply chain.
Many of the businesses within Laser today were
acquired during this period.
2003 – 2007:
During this period, Laser achieved three things
in particular:
� The privatisation of the business in early
2003;
� Integrating and rationalising the Group into
three broad areas of activity (Express
Distribution, International Trade facilitation,
and land based third party contractual
logistics) and the development of the
Group’s three major brands (Laser, Time
Freight and Dawn Wing); and
� The ‘internationalisation’ of two of the three
businesses (Express Distribution and
International Trade facilitation).
Rationale for ‘internationalising’ Laser
The rationale for ‘internationalising’ Laser was
both offensive and defensive.
Defensive because greater emphasis was being
(and continues to be) placed by customers and
competitors alike on positioning themselves so
as to deal with the trend towards the
globalisation of world trade.
Offensive because through partnering with
established, reputable and ambitious global
businesses the opportunities for Laser to
become both a dominant domestic and regional
logistics operator are so much greater.
In this segment the Group CEOs share some of The Laser Group’s highlights.
Laser’s Mission
Laser’s mission is to be a provider of logistics services to
business operating within and beyond the borders of
South Africa through innovative solutions, technology and
service excellence.
Organisational structure
50%
DPD Laser
Express Logistics
(Pty) Ltd
GeoPost
Intercontinental SAS
The Laser Group (Pty) Ltd*
Reg. No. 2001/008431/07
GAC Laser
International
Logistics (Pty) Ltd
50% 50%
Gulf Agency Company
Ltd
*other subsidiaries and associate companies:
Laser Properties (Pty) Ltd, Thynck Property Fund (Pty) Ltd, Laser Ezothutho (Pty) Ltd,
Briske Performance Solutions (Pty) Ltd and Salesmark Recruitment
Group Activity: Expanding Laser
50% 100%
Laser Logistics
(Pty) Ltd
• Cold Chain Distribution
• Haulage and Cross
Border
• Warehousing and
Distribution
•Truck Rental
Page 3

Group Activity: Expanding Laser
In this segment, we introduce the Group and keep you updated on recent growth experienced at Laser.
Time Freight is
growing places…
Through its operating division Time Freight, The Laser Group continues
its investment in infrastructure with the purpose-built Riverhorse Valley
Warehouse in Durban (pictured below). Scheduled for completion on
1 May 2008, Time Freight will be occupying 4,100sqm of the premises. A
further 2,400sqm of warehouse and office space in the complex will be
occupied by other operating subsidiaries of The Laser Group.
… and invests in
additional resources
Page 4
As part of the Sales and Marketing plan for 2008, Time Freight has
invested in additional people skills with 12 sales representatives now
operating out of Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. In addition to
this, the Regional Operations Managers have committed to increase their
customer base and revenue in the smaller towns and centres.
A number of significant new and expanded accounts have already been
secured in 2008, some of which include Value Logistics, Sonic and DNA
(Super Group).
Under construction:
Time Freight premises, Riverhorse Valley Durban,
February 2008
Time Freight, Montague Gardens, Cape Town
Time Freight, Isando Johannesburg
Time Freight Call centre

Laser International Logistics is one of South Africa’s leading
independent clearing and forwarding companies specialising in
facilitating international trade in both imports and exports, air and
sea. Value-add support services include warehousing, transport
broking, project management, administration, documentation
preparation and risk management of product management through
Customs formalities.
Seizing business
opportunity
GAC Laser lands Retailcorp deal
Lillywhites entered the South African market under
the franchise guise of Retailcorp, a Nahkeel and Dubai
World group company based in the UAE.
Retailcorp manages exclusive retail brands such as
Burberry, Peak Performance and Joe Bloggs. GAC
Laser secured the opportunity and now provides a
clearing, warehousing and a ‘just in time’ retail
distribution solution for Retailcorp in South Africa.
The first Lillywhites and Peak Performance stores
were commissioned and opened at the V&A
Waterfront in Cape Town in December 2007.
Retailcorp plans to roll out a national retail footprint
within the next 2 years and GAC Laser is optimistic
that it will become its logistics partner of choice.
GAC Laser International Logistics, Durban
Group Activity: Expanding Laser
GAC Laser
gears up for
Global Action
GAC Laser International Logistics Warehouse,
Durban
Page 5

Group Activity: Expanding Laser
In this segment, we introduce the Group and keep you updated on recent growth experienced at Laser.
Dawn Wing goes International
and gets new wings to fly
Dawn Wing launched the "Get your wings" campaign on 3 March 2008, to promote its newly
developed International Service Offering.
Main objective - to offer clients a value-add service as International Courier, and to increase the
international parcel volumes. To create awareness within Dawn Wing, all drivers will be wearing a
promotional T-shirt every Monday for the duration of the campaign and they are required to remind
customers of Dawn Wing's International Service offering. Campaign posters are displayed at all
customer contact points, so look out for these.
How does it work?
Customers are issued a Dawn Wing passport
and for every 10 parcels sent internationally,
the customer will receive a mystery gift. For
every 50 International shipments the customer
will receive a new passport and the old one
will be entered into a lucky draw for a R10
000 getaway to Madikwe Game Farm.
Motivation enough to use our international
service offering!
Dawn Wing logo
injected with new life
The Dawn Wing logo has been injected with
new life, and a fresh new look. It has been
enhanced by simplifying the type faces,
giving more weight to the WING part of
the logo and consolidating it to form one
unit on a bright yellow page. Supplementing
this is a page curl that hints at the holding
companies DPD and The Laser Group,
behind the Dawn Wing brand. The words
Worldwide Express & Logistics have been
changed to Global Express which also
demonstrates alignment with DPD and
Laser strategies.
Page 6
to
DID YOU KNOW…
Dawn Wing has been voted
the best courier company
7 years in a row by the
PMR awards (2001 – 2007).

31 January 2008
DAWN WING, an express courier
company that delivers parcels both in South
Africa and internationally, is nicely poised to
cash in on the 2010 Soccer World Cup
investment bonanza. SA’s courier industry is
already booming – believed to be worth a
whopping R7bn per year – and expected to
grow by more than 15% per year in the buildup
to 2010.
“We’ve submitted a bid to Fifa (World Cup
organisers) to play a role in the event as a
courier business,” says group CEO Mike
Fanucchi. Dawn Wing competes with
international integrators such as DHL, FedEx,
UPS and TNT and many SA operators for
business. But Fanucchi says the group has
sharpened its competitive advantage to
capitalise on opportunities ahead of 2010 by
strengthening its long-term continuity,
stability and future growth in a joint venture
partnership with one of Europe's biggest
parcel services, DPD (Dynamic Parcel
Distribution), which is owned by La Poste, of
the French postal services.
The joint venture is known as DPD Laser and
provides express logistical support services in
SA and internationally through DPD’s
worldwide network.
Founded in 1990 to offer a complete set of
Express delivery solutions – Dawn Wing’s
services include real time track and trace of
shipments through online facilities, which also
enable customers to track their current
parcels online and have direct access to
trading updates and financial information
online.
More recently, the group deployed the latest
handheld technology (together with
Vodacom) to enable its clients to sign for
their parcels in real time, with the
information reflected on the system
immediately. “This technology has set us
apart from our competitors,” says Fanucchi.
Dawn Wing is a subsidiary of The Laser
Group, previously listed on the JSE. Laser has
retained management control of the new joint
New challenges, new constraints
The Dawn of a new courier era
venture with DPD in southern Africa and is
committed to developing a network within
the SADC region.
“We’ve already connected into the key
gateways in Dubai, London, Paris and, shortly,
Miami. “We’re also actively linking into
networks in French-speaking African
countries and setting up operations within the
SADC region.”
Bid to be a 2010 player
Mike Fanucchi
In SA alone DPD Laser (Dawn Wing and
sister company Time Freight) generated more
than R400m in revenue last year, which
reflected upward growth of 20% compared to
its 2006 financial year. “We’re confident that
can be achieved going forward and that we
can contribute returns and volumes to the
DPD/La Poste network,” says Fanucchi.
Dawn Wing currently uses its internal
resources to fund business. “Currently, our
ambition is to grow the business and not to
seek a JSE listing, as both partners have the
capacity to fund future investments.”
With a background in engineering, Fanucchi is
former CEO of Imperial Logistics’ transport
and warehouse division. His appointment on
1 August 2007 as Dawn Wing CEO should be
viewed as the deployment of an experienced
logistics director by Laser to ensure good
returns.
“I really believe that courier companies are
going to take on more retail customers
currently using other modes of distribution
for their products,” say Fanucchi.
Dawn Wing’s biggest area of operation is in
the delivery of specialist logistics solutions,
such as chronic medicines for the
pharmaceutical industry. The courier industry
is dynamic and experiencing fast growth. As a
result there are always major challenges.
Fanucchi acknowledges that the courier
industry is experiencing a shortage of skills,
particularly drivers, in customer services and
sales representatives. He says traffic
congestion is a huge challenge and Dawn
Wing has to redesign its networks to deal
with that.
Online marketing and trading are growing in
South Africa, and courier businesses are likely
to benefit, especially by delivering parcels.
“The courier business will take advantage of
that trend,” says Fanucchi. Courier companies
also have to comply with a number of
regulations, including legislation with regard
to international terrorism, which forces them
to re-evaluate process flows of parcel
shipments. “This year we’ll inject R4m as a
one-off investment to comply with that
regulation," says Fanucchi.
The biggest challenge for Dawn Wing will be
to continue to please its clients. As they say
in the courier business: ”You’re only as good
as your last delivery.”
GUGLAKSHE MASANGO
gugum@finweek.co.za
This season Dawn Wing enjoyed extensive media coverage with comment and editorial from Mike Fanucchi in Fin Week dated 31 January ’08.
Other media coverage:
-Business Day 31 January ’08 - Mike Fanucchi comments on the impact of power cuts, fuel price hikes and Part 108 (Civil Aviation Regulations relating
to air cargo security) on the logistics business;
-Vodaworld - A double page spread on the upgraded Dawn Wing communications system is featured in the summer 2008 edition (see overleaf).
Herewith the published articles for your perusal.
Events & Media
In this segment we share snippets of media coverage featuring The Laser Group and its subsidiaries.
Page 7

Events & Media
In this segment we share snippets of media coverage featuring The Laser Group and its subsidiaries.
DAWN WING, one of South Africa’s
established logistics companies, specialises
in the express distribution of everything
from computers to chronic medication.
Seventy percent of the company’s deliveries
are made by 10h30 the following day, with
between 6 000 and 7 000 deliveries a day
on a network of 240 routes. Deadlines are
tight and there is no room for error.
After a review of its business efficiency,
Dawn Wing found a gap in its
communication system. With customers
demanding instant communication and the
ability to track and trace the progress of a
shipment in real time, the existing
infrastructure was inadequate.
Traditionally, customers made a service
request to the company’s call centre by
phone, internet, fax or e-mail, following
which an SMS was sent to a driver to collect
the consignment. But that meant the call
centre only knew if the collection had been
made when the driver returned or by calling
him in the field, leaving customers in limbo.
Dawn Wing realised it was essential to
upgrade its communications system so that
the exact location of the delivery could be
pinpointed. The problem was twofold:
drivers needed a simple, easy-to-use
handheld device that could fulfil a variety of
functions, while data transmission had to
use ever-developing wireless technology
more efficiently through South Africa’s
widespread cellular network.
The first step was the introduction of a
rugged, touch screen=-operated PDA for
each driver. After the driver scanned the
waybill and parcels, this allowed customers
to acknowledge collection or delivery by
“signing” the PDA. This data is then
immediately transmitted to the control
centre, keeping it fully appraised of the
status of consignments.
The PDA serves five functions, acting as a
voice device a camera for taking photos of
important or valuable goods, a barcode
Page 8
A simple and effective winning formula
Signed, sealed
and delivered!
reader for deliveries that require secure authentication
of identity, a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit to
assist drivers in finding client premises or alternative
routers through traffic congestions, and a mobile
computer.
When it came to the choice of a mobile connectivity
partner, Dawn Wing opted for the services of Vodacom
Business Solutions a division of Vodacom South Africa.
As a client of Vodacom Business Solutions since
inception, the company believed that Vodacom was able
to provide an infrastructure that was both reliable and
robust. Dawn Wing described Vodacom Business
Solutions’ ability to find innovative corporate data
solutions as, “Simple, practical – and their solutions
worked!”
With 240 PDA units at about R20 000 per unit required,
cost was a significant barrier, but Vodacom Business
Solutions put together a package for Dawn Wing that
reduced the cost of PDA ownership by about 20
percent. Training for the drivers, essential to ensure the
smooth implementation of the new system, was provided
by a system of champions operating at shop-floor level.
Summer edition of Vodaworld
Jan 2008
Vodacom Business Solutions and Dawn Wing
But customers also needed to buy into the
new way of doing things. This was achieved
through magazines, direct communication,
newsletters and through education by the
drivers themselves. The knowledge that
Vodacom was the mobile communications
partner, however, gave customers
confidence that data would be transmitted
securely.
Dawn Wing and its customers have all
benefited from the new system. In addition
to significant cost savings and better
planning capacity for the company, drivers’
working conditions were improved and
they spent less time on the road. Electronic
proof of collection and delivery, and the
complete automation of consignment
structures reduced recovery time during
service interruptions, And the PDAs
significantly streamlined collections and
deliveries.
The benefits have also been significant for
customers. Some of the biggest users of
the Dawn Wing’s services are suppliers of
chronic medication in both the public and
private sectors. And Dawn Wing’s new
integrated communication system cut the
fulfilment time of an order for chronic
medication from up to 15 days to a mere
24 hours. The improved system has
enabled the chronic medication suppliers
to expand their market share, while
receiving their medication on time is
invaluable for patients.
The mobile communication system has also
assisted chronic medication suppliers with
their debtor management, reducing timeconsuming
data-input duplication. Dawn
Wing has even been able to help public
medical schemes update their databases by,
for example, supplying correct telephone
numbers and correct addresses of the
patients using GPS.
As an established company employing the
most advanced mobile technology through
its partnership with Vodacom, South
Africa’s leading cellular network, the future
for Dawn Wing is bright indeed.

Freight & Trading weekly dated 10 February ‘08 featured an article on GAC Laser International’s
Simon Hayes, Basil Hannival, Mike van Eyssen and John Kershaw. Read more…
Supporting Sport and ‘Winning’ South Africans
An ardent supporter of sport sponsorships and marketing, the Group believes that sport, in all its forms, touches humanity
and is thus increasingly important to global business. Below is an outline of some of the sporting activities sponsored by The
Laser Group, featured in the news recently.
Laser has recently concluded a 2 year apparel sponsorship
deal with South African professional golfer, Richard
Sterne. Here Richard is featured on the cover of the
January 2008 edition of Compleat Golfer, following his win
in the Johannesburg Open. Richard is currently ranked
29 th in the Golf World Rankings and is positioned 4 th in
the 2007 European Tour.
Richard has, for the last 2 years, been sponsored by
Laser’s international partner GAC. As brand ambassador
he will support GAC and Laser at corporate golf events
and appear in international tournaments under the GAC
and Laser banners.
Events & Media
More media coverage featuring The Laser Group and its subsidiaries.
SA Karate and Kickboxing team
Time Freight Montague Garden’s
Lutcin van Kraayenburg (pictured left)
was featured in the TygerBurger dated
Wednesday 13 February 2008. Lutcin
was selected for the SA karate and
kickboxing team to attend the
2008NMA/ISKA world championships
in Orlando, USA. Congratulations
Lutcin!
Time Freight demonstrated its support of the Supersport Racing through
sponsorship of James Egan’s Time Freight branded kit and Yamaha CitiBike
Racing 600cc (pictured above) at the National Wesbank Super Series at
Kyalami.
Egan finished 4th overall in the National Wesbank Super Series Championship
2008, and has also participated in the Wesbank Super Series.
Page 9

Partner Activity
In this segment inside Laser will feature our partner developments on the global front.
Page10
Laser’s international partners are themselves substantial global logistics businesses. The Laser Group partnered with GeoPost
Intercontinental SAS (a subsidiary of La Poste, the French post office) in its Express Distribution business and with Gulf Agency Company
Ltd. (GAC) in its International Forwarding business. These significant transactions saw much effort and focus during year 2007 in ‘bedding
down’ the new relationships and formulating plans to take Laser into the future. Read more about partner developments on the global
front.
DPD Laser Express Logistics is a company jointly owned and
controlled by The Laser Group and GeoPost Intercontinental SAS, a
wholly owned subsidiary of GeoPost, a parcel distributor specialist
made up of the Express subsidiaries of the La Poste Group. GeoPost,
through its operating subsidiaries, is the second largest express
operator in Europe. Branded DPD, GeoPost aspires to be the world’s
5th largest integrator.
Latest developments within DPD
� “Deutscher Paket Dienst” becomes “Dynamic Parcel
Distribution” with effect from January 2008.
� DPD Russia opened a new branch in Kaluga in Russia, to
further expand its nationwide network.
� DPD GeoPost has officially put into operation its new
parcel distribution centre in the town of Melle in Germany.
� DPD transports approximately 500 million parcels per
year.
GAC Laser International Logistics is a company jointly owned and
controlled by The Laser Group and Gulf Agency Limited (GAC).
GAC’s strategy is to focus on individual industries served by GAC
and then roll out a customised logistics programme tailored to the
customers needs. GAC was established in 1956, and is the largest
independent shipping, marine and logistics provider in the world, with
more than 240 offices covering 1 000 locations worldwide.
Latest developments within GAC Laser
International Logistics
� GAC celebrated 50 years in the Kingdom of Bahrain by
opening its new Logistics Centre in Muharraq.
� GAC logo evolves from to .
� GAC’s Asia-Pacific region expanded with GAC Australia
adding 12 offices and headquarters in Sydney.
� GAC Angola is the market leader with a 70% share in the
country’s crude oil tanker business.
GAC’s Lars Säverström comments
on the new GAC logo
Transport and Logistics Fair, Munich
“This new logo will only be
as good as the company it
represents. It is ultimately
the quality of our people,
services and products that
gives the GAC logo its
positive reputation and
association” says Lars
Säverström, GAC’s Group
President.
GAC is the world’s leading provider of shipping, logistics, marine
and related services – wherever you go.

Laser reinvests in
SA’s future
2008, like previous years, sees Laser’s CSR focus on the upliftment
of children, entrenching a corporate social responsibility culture of
social upliftment that produces meaningful change and
simultaneously inspires a culture of social responsibility amongst
Laser employees.
CSR in the era of economic transformation
In order to create the greatest impact, Laser’s efforts need to have
close alignment with its core business. An integration of the growth
strategy with the corporate social responsibility initiatives will
create visibility in the market place where we can produce a
platform to leverage opportunities for the Laser Group.
Key focus for 2008
Education and Early
Childhood development
Health and Welfare matters
Sport development
Conservation of environment
Group Corporate Social Responsibility
The Laser Group contributes financially and in kind to a number of charities, not-for-profit organisations and causes in support of all children
of South Africa. In this segment, we highlight the Group’s corporate social responsibility initiatives.
Riebeeck Kasteel Steel band
The Group can be proud of the many contributions made during
2007. Laser supported numerous initiatives, including abandoned &
abused children, autistic, orphaned, blind, mentally handicapped and
physically challenged children. Other beneficiaries include those
suffering with HIV/AIDS, the Bone Marrow Registry Foundation,
epilepsy sufferers and those affected and infected with HIV/AIDS.
Feedback from Riebeeck Kasteel Steel band Project
David Wickham, Coordinator of the Steel band Project wrote to
Laser to share some of the impacts the sponsorship has made on
members of the Riebeeck Kasteel Steel band Project (pictured above)
and the community of Riebeeck Valley.
“Residing in a rural community which is ravaged by extreme
poverty and all its associated ills, and where the youth is
exposed to endemic alcoholism and other high risk behaviour,
the children participating in the project now have an outlet for
their creative energies.
The band alumni have all had their horizons broadened by being
band members and most of them have gone on to make
something positive of their lives. The three Laser Group Bursary
recipients are currently, a qualified social worker, a computer
technician and an accountancy student and ‘Love Life’
councillor.
The current and past members are seen as positive role models
in a community where such role models are a very precious
asset.”
The Laser Group continues to support the Riebeeck Kasteel Steel
band Project.
“Children are the most vulnerable citizens in any society
and the greatest of our treasures.”
Nelson Mandela
DPD Netherlands, GeoPost Intercontinental and DPD Laser Express deliver parcels to children in need
In a close cooperation DPD Netherlands, GeoPost Intercontinental and DPD Laser Express in South Africa supported the opening of a new Day Care Center
for children in need in Johannesburg. The three entities cooperated closely in this project and took care of the delivery of gifts from Amsterdam and for the
return cargo of handcrafts made in the township.DPD Laser Express was responsible for customs clearance and delivery.
Page 11

Profiling our People
In this segment, we introduce you to fellow colleagues across the Laser Group.
Exceeding targets
By R3 million!
Dawn Wing’s New Business Development
Manager Gina de Oliveira exceeded her
sales target for 2007 by R3 m!
A contributing factor for her in achieving
this was through the delivery to studio of a
whopping 4 017 160 entry forms. Gina and
her team received a BIG THUMBS UP
from Bua Promotions (Coca Cola) for
service par excellence!.
Not one complaint was received in terms
of the project, from point of collection to
billing. Thanks to Calvin Riba, Vincent
Haines and Lawrence Mosikare (pictured
left) who made the project a total success.
In addition to the Coca Cola project Gina
successfully landed some key B to C
(Business to Consumer) customers such as
Platinum Life and Optipharm.
Gina de Oliveira was awarded
2007 Sales Person of the Year
at the Dawn Wing Sales conference
in February this year
Meet newly appointed team members
Allison Kramer
Dawn Wing
Industry News
Allison Kramer joined Dawn
Wing on 01 February as the
Regional Executive
overseeing the Western and
Eastern Cape.
Philippe Beley
Laser Group
Philippe (Phil) Beley joined The Laser
Group as Group Business
Development Executive in February
2008.
Project reveals interesting twist in rail to road shift
A research project undertaken by a
master’s student at the University of
Johannesburg to determine the extent of
the modal shift from rail to road over the
past decade reveals some startling facts
about who indeed has been the main
beneficiary in the move away from rail.
According to Professor Gerrie Prinsloo,
speaking at a Transport Forum held in
Gauteng in November 2007, it’s not the
road freight industry that has increased
volumes substantially but rather companies
that operate their own road transport and
whose core business is not transport.
The project was intended to determine
whether there is a relationship between
economic growth and the conveyance of
goods, and to determine what the share of
the various transport modes would be in
the total conveyance.
Clearly there is a direct relationship
between economic growth and growth in
the transport sector.
But while rail’s percentage of the total market
has decreased from 14.2% in 1991 to 9.8% in
2004, cargo carried by outsourced road
transport operators has remained fairly stable
from 24.5% to 24.7%.
“We see, however, that the biggest percentage
movement from rail has gone to own operators
– in other words, private road transport
operators whose main business in not
transport,” says Prinsloo.
Prinsloo’s research indicates that own road
transport (not for reward) increased its total
freight market share from 58% in 1991 to
60.4% in 2004. In tonnage terms this form of
road transport increased its annual tonnage
from 370.5mt in 1991 to 510.87mt in 2004.
Outsourced road transport operators retained
their percentage share of the overall market
with overall tonnage increasing from 156.6mt in
1991 to 209.1mt in 2004.
Extract from Freight & Trading Weekly November ‘07
So how does Gina do it?
I am energised by music, good food and
positive attitudes.
When my alarm goes off at 06h00,
my first thought is ”please……let me
just manage to get out of the house on
time!”
I create balance in my life through
making an effort to take time out to do
things that make me feel good. Be it a
beauty treatment, watching a movie or just
enjoying a good meal with my family.
My hope and dream for the children
of South Africa is that each child may
learn the skill to be self reliant. Not all
children are fortunate enough to have two
responsible adults to love and nurture
them, but if we can give them the skills to
stand tall, the battle is half won.
Laser’s
People
Management
Policy
To enable all employees
to participate in the
organisation with a
sense of
accomplishment and
pride.
To meet or better
employment equity
commitments,
maintaining at all times
non- discriminatory
employment practices.
Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the board or management of The Laser Group.
The Editorial committee reserves its editorial rights.