Global express delivery company TNT Express upgraded its Southern Africa cargo fleet in June this year as a result of a significant deal with industrial services and retail group Imperial Group to increase its capacity for both national and cross-border transportation of cargo, including large, bulky freight.
According to TNT Express sales and marketing director Shane de Beer the new fleet comprises low-emission Mercedes 311 and 519 sprinters as well as a number of Mercedes Benz Atego 8 t trucks and Volkswagen Caddies.
All vehicles are to be fitted with specialised tracking systems to assist with improving route optimisation and organisation of cargo.
The Mercedes vehicles also have road-safety enhancement features such as speed governance to reduce traffic fines and accidents, rear side step bars to guard against rear bumper damages, as well as rear-view cameras to aid reversing into loading and off-loading bays.
TNT Express notes that its existing fleet will be bolstered by the addition of these new vehicles and the efficiency in their South African areas of operation will be enhanced.
“Additional vehicles will also be added to the fleet servicing our Southern African network, which offers local operators a new approach to cross-border cargo deliver- ies, as both air and road freight services are employed to convey goods cost effectively, safely and efficiently. This network covers most of Southern Africa, including Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland and Mozambique,” says De Beer.
He adds that road transportation is crucial to TNT Express’s operations worldwide as it has found road transport to be eco- nomical, efficient and reliable.
TNT Express is one of the world’s largest express delivery companies. Daily, the company delivers close to one-million consignments ranging from documents and parcels to palletised freight.
TNT Express, which operates road and air transportation networks in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific and the Americas, made €7.3-billion in revenue in 2012.
The company updated its delivery strategy in March this year, naming it Deliver! The strategy builds on the company’s service proposition and will enable it to make the most of the products and services that it offered to customers.
The strategy is based on TNT Express’ core strengths: a broad integrated product offering, excellent service to customers, local presence and extensive European coverage, combined with intercontinental connections.