International logistics and transport company TNT South Africa has imple- mented its Southern Africa Road Network (ZARN) integrated road transportation system to improve efficiency in the freight industry.

Until recently, organisations operating in Africa were restricted to using consolidated air and road freight services, TNT South Africa MD Kobus Fourie points out.

He adds that, as a result, service providers were unable to provide a guaranteed arrival date or monitor the daily progress of shipments.

The ZARN system does not use consolidated consignments.

“We have introduced a scheduled day- definite service, using smaller vehicles, which are exempt from waiting for clearance at border crossings for two to three days,” he says.

The smaller vehicles allow TNT South Africa to cross borders in Southern Africa quicker, enabling the faster delivery of goods.

Fourie adds that the ZARN system is fully traceable. “This eliminates much of the guesswork from cargo delivery on the continent.”

He states that one of the company’s main goals is to implement the system more extensively on the African continent.

“Africa has been, until recently, a closed market to the rest of the world. Since the 2008/9 recession, companies have been considering new markets for investment and there has been an increase in the number of foreign investors in Africa, mainly from Europe and China.

“We have growing distribution networks in Kenya and Egypt, as well as countries in West Africa, and want to make inroads into the continent using the ZARN system as a reliable multimodule connection,” Fourie notes.

He says another factor that contributes to the success of the system is that TNT South Africa relies on the skills of local individuals, who understand the different markets, geo- graphies and cultures in countries like Zambia, Namibia and Mozambique.

“It is important to use local skills where possible. This gives us an advantage over our competitors and supports job creation in the countries where we operate,” Fourie adds.

He notes that Africa is an untapped market and the company can focus either on the challenges or the opportunities.

“We choose to see opportunities. So far, we have been successful on the continent and we have a number of plans and strategies to help us go forward,” he states.

The logistics and transport industry is constantly changing and improving as new technology becomes available. TNT South Africa uses these technological advances to enhance its business and upskill its employees.

“It is important to keep abreast of new technological advances and developments in the industry if you want to stay ahead in the game,” says Fourie.

He adds that the company uses the latest technology, such as global positioning systems, tracking portable on-demand storage and geoplotting to select the best routes for transportation.

Learnership Opportunities
Fourie points out that TNT South Africa prides itself on its learnership programmes, which focus mainly on the company’s drivers.

“Ten female drivers recently completed a learnership programme with us.

“After completing the programme, the participants are either appointed by TNT South Africa or are able to find employment at other companies, as they have the required knowledge and skills to work in the industry.

“The best driver we have is female and she has been with us for 35 years,” he says.

Fourie adds that TNT South Africa focuses on empowering its staff.

“We give everyone an equal opportunity to become successful at the company and we implement the correct measures to assist our employees in their development, as well as in gaining skills and knowledge,” he says.