Page 31 - Logistics News - December 2021

C O MPANY NE W S

Demand for forklift equipment boosts Shumani

THE DEMAND for forklift equipment grew in 2021, largely As the largest industrial equipment
on the back of orders cancelled in 2020 now filtering through, supplier into the food and beverage industry,
comments Shumani Industrial Equipment MD Victor this remains the main focus for Shumani at
Nemukula. “We expect robust demand for our products in present. However, the mining industry is also
2022.” riding high on the back of rising commodity
Now the largest black-owned and managed industrial prices. Most of the equipment supplied by
equipment supplier in South Africa, Shumani is an appointed Shumani is used in the stores and logistics
dealer for all Goscor Group companies that import industrial departments of both construction and
equipment for the South African market. mining companies.
The secret to the ongoing success of Shumani is the “Our key offering remains forklifts, which will lead the
longstanding partnerships it enters into with key customers, way in terms of growth. We think there’s still a lot of scope
according to Nemukula. As a new kid on the block in 2015, for Shumani in the market, which offers a one-stop shop. We
Shumani was awarded a key contract by Imperial Fleet believe the construction and mining sectors will offer support
Management (IFM) to supply and maintain materials handling for our ongoing expansion,” stresses Nemukula. •
equipment for Transnet.
A recent example is clinching a major contract to supply
close to 50 forklifts to logistics service provider Liquor Runners
for a leading beer producer in South Africa. The 3.5t units are
capable of handling two pallets at a time for maximum stacking
and offloading efficiency.
In addition, Shumani has started to diversify into the
mining sector. “These products are mostly construction and
cleaning equipment. We are seeing increasing enquiries, mostly
on the bigger machines,” notes Nemukula.

Imperial examines AfCFTA

IMPERIAL HAS launched an of connectivity, distribution and
insightful feature that delves into supply chain efficiencies in key
the African Continental Free Trade industries. The growing consumer
Area Agreement (AfCFTA) and base and increased access to the
its goal of seamless trade, travel consumer in Africa are particularly
and transport and a single African appealing to both multinational and
passport for all African Union local organisations.
member nations. The objective is
to phase out tariffs on 90 percent However, logistics presents
of goods within 10 years and create a major challenge, including the
a continent-wide single market cost of moving products into and
for goods and services with free out of Africa being exorbitant in
movement of business, people and comparison to other continents,
investments. Another important and getting those products to
goal of the AfCFTA is to create jobs, consumers in Africa remains
particularly for women. complex. As one of the largest
logistics players on the continent, and with logistics being L O GI S T I CS NEWS
The COVID-19 pandemic and vaccine roll-outs have integral to facilitating trade, Imperial believes that the AfCFTA
highlighted the importance of the logistics industry in Africa will play an important role from a logistics and transport
as well as the opportunities this industry presents in terms perspective as countries start embedding trade links. •

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