Page 28 - Logistics News - December 2021

C O MPANY NE W S

Bidvest’s new Unitrans launches ad hoc

appointment an animal feed distribution

inspiration services

XOLANI SITHOLE has risen from the UNITRANS SUPPLY Chain
townships of KwaZulu-Natal to become Solutions has broadened its
one of the logistics industry’s most game in supplying specialised
important figures. In July, he was named transportation and logistics
International Logistics Divisional Head services to the animal feeds
for Bidvest International Logistics (BIL), industry through launching a new
a portfolio that will require him to help ad hoc animal feed distribution
guide the company through one of the most service, available at short
challenging times in the logistics industry’s notice and competitive rates.
history. This follows its accreditation in
August this year with the Animal
The Wits University accounting Feed Manufacturers Association
graduate comes to the position boasting (AFMA).
a wealth of financial management and
logistics experience, having held senior One of only 12 service
positions at some of South Africa’s leading providers in the country to be
companies. Having joined Deloitte as a accredited by AFMA, Unitrans Carl Malherbe, Executive of
trainee accountant in achieved a 100 percent audit Unitrans’ Consumer Division.
2006, he soon went score, meeting AFMA protocol
on to enjoy stints at requirements with flying colours. The AFMA Transport Protocol
Sebenza Forwarding describes how raw materials and ingredients for use in the feed
& Shipping and Otis industry should be transported and now extends to include bulk
before joining BIL as an feed transportation from mill to farm.
international logistics
executive in 2019. “We are proud to have been accredited by AFMA as it
gives us the ultimate stamp of approval,” says Carl Malherbe,
Sithole is under Executive of Unitrans’s Consumer Division. “This accreditation
no illusions of the gives assurance to the industry that we are meeting the
enormity of the stringent requirements to move animal feed safely.”
task that awaits him
Xolani Sithole, Bidvest’s
new International Logistics given the pandemic’s “The challenge for the feed industry is not only in increasing
Divisional Head. impact on the logistics capacity, yields and production, but also safeguarding product
industry. “Of course, safety and quality during transportation. Traded globally,
there are challenges. animal feed for livestock and poultry plays an important role in
These include the long-lasting impact the food supply chain, making the transport thereof critical,”
of COVID-19 on the supply chain, continues Malherbe.
the shortage of space on ships and of
containers, the skills shortages in the “It is vital to communicate, report and provide feedback
global supply chain and the unprecedented on the location of distribution equipment, ensure detailed
L O GI S T I CS NEWS he says. But he believes all these can be ensure regular, deep cleaning and sanitizing of all equipment,
biosecurity processes and procedures are in place, as well as
volatility (more inflation) of freight prices,”
personal protective equipment (PPE) and staff,” explains
overcome with proactive and regular
Malherbe. “The goal of this protocol is to prevent practices
communication with clients and BIL’s
during transportation that create food safety risks.” •
prowess for adaptability. •

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