JSE-listed specialist logistics company OneLogix aims to expand in Southern African countries by providing logistics services across their borders, with a medium-term aim of linking to and using more ports across the bloc, says OneLogix CEO Ian Lourens.

The company reported robust half-year results, with revenue up by 33% to R664.9-million and operating profit up to R67.8-million, while it has boosted cash to R63.3-million, up by 93%.

Cross-border revenue for the group is 15% and it aims to increase this to 20% by the end of the year and potentially even higher in the future. It continues to grow its share of intra-Africa logistics, in accordance with its strategy, he says.

“Our Southern African logistics ‘backbone’, developed by our vehicle delivery business, is producing reasonable growth and links Zambia and Durban. The companies in the group are taking advantage of this network and new acquisitions can also be grown through this cross-border exposure,” he notes.

OneLogix aims to provide its liquid bulk transport services, under the United Bulk brand, throughout Southern Africa. Its bulk commodity company, OneLogix Linehaul, provides services from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia to Richards Bay and Durban, in KwaZulu-Natal, with infrastructure materials transported on the return trip.

“We expect good growth from OneLogix Linehaul in these countries and will also focus on providing our vehicle delivery services in new countries. Our experiences working in Southern African countries enable us to provide a good service and operate effectively in these countries and, increasingly, in the DRC, Tanzania and Kenya.”

Further, its specialist vehicle delivery company CVDS has good growth potential to move commercial trucks into Southern Africa on behalf of the manufacturers.

“This original-equipment manufacturer (OEM) market is large and untapped and we may provide an outsourced driver service for the OEMs. CVDS also transports truck and bus chassis and has a strong customer base,” says Lourens.

Import and export logistics company OneLogix Projex, located at the Durban harbour, has been consolidated, made more competitive and should show growth in future. It will also benefit from the new acquisition of general and crane transport company Madison, which has significant storage capacity in Midrand, which both companies will share as a staging area for projects in Southern Africa.

OneLogix’s gearing ratio is about 45%, well within its 40% to 50% target range, and it is searching for new acquisitions.

“The potential for growth in the region is an opportunity shared by all our companies and we aim to expand in the region, while pursuing solid organic growth in South Africa. More ports of entry, for example, those at Walvis Bay and Mombasa, as well as other smaller ports, will provide more access to these markets, which should boost our activities.”