Logistics service provider Rhenus South Africa is expanding its warehousing capacities in South Africa. The company’s integrated warehousing services will be particularly focused on providing services to the healthcare, life sciences, retail and renewable energy sectors.

A new 3 000 m² warehouse in Samrand near Pretoria and a new 2 000 m²  facility in East London were recently unveiled. In addition, existing facilities in Gqeberha underwent an upgrade to increase the available space to 1 100 m².

Rhenus says its expansion is in response to increasing market demand and the needs of its customers.

"Throughout and since Covid, many customers realised that they had insufficient stock holding in country, and that a just-in-time approach doesn't always work in terms of meeting customer demand, combined with speed to market," says Rhenus South Africa head of warehousing Cornell van Rooyen. "This is especially true in these volatile times characterised by declining transport volumes, delays at ports, poor rail infrastructure, a weakening currency and energy challenges like loadshedding."

The new warehouse in Samrand is designed to provide optimum conditions for the company’s express courier service and the contract logistics activities. It also expands its range of production, industrial and commercial logistics services along the N1 motorway, which connects Gauteng with the north-south corridor.

In East London, the new warehouse is aimed at playing a crucial role in simplifying import procedures and improving the competitive advantage of local businesses. The facility features a bonded warehouse, state-of-the-art temperature-controlled cold and hot storage, and a robust security infrastructure. The improvements are all designed to  increase efficiency and reduce operating and maintenance costs for customers.

"With the targeted investment in regional hubs, we are complementing our existing business and at the same time offering the opportunity to medium-sized customers who may be considering switching to a more cost-effective outsourced storage solution in the current economic climate," summarises Van Rooyen. "We are optimistic that this strategic approach will lead to strong annual growth over the next three to five years."