Page 31 - Logistics News - March_April 2022

C O MPANY NE W S

Toyota Industrial Equipment gunning for top spot in market

2021 MARKED a watershed year for South Africa’s She says while the pandemic certainly challenged the
industrial equipment and material handling industry, with business, it has been interesting to note how resilient
a record 10,724 units entering the country. This was up by employees have proved to be, quickly adapting to new ways
87 percent compared to 2020, and most likely the result of doing things. In addition to the ongoing global pandemic,
of precautionary measures taken by industry players to the unrest which took place during July 2021 in South
avoid the COVID-19-related shipment and supply chain Africa and the disruptions in the global supply chain have
challenges. caused delays in the transporting of equipment including
shipments into the country. Despite these challenges,
Vuyokazi Bangazi, National Bangazi says employees were more eager than ever to
Sales Manager for Toyota perform well.
Industrial Equipment, a division
of EIE Group, says many Toyota Industrial Equipment was also active from a
businesses have already placed marketing point of view. “We initiated an internal ‘Let’s
orders for 2022 to guard against Move Metal’ campaign, which offered rewards for excellent
pandemic-related delays in the performance. We also prioritised listening to our people and
Vuyokazi Bangazi, National delivery of equipment. “Having getting insight into their needs and then doing something
Sales Manager for Toyota noted the boom in South Africa about it.
Industrial Equipment. in 2021, original equipment
manufacturers (OEMs) are Bangazi says that Toyota Industrial Equipment will be
expecting an equally bullish market in 2022,” she adds. implementing its strategic plan with a view to capturing
the market this year. In pursuit of this, the business will be
Toyota Industrial Equipment tracked well within this focusing on entrenching its customer-centric culture and is
milieu, with its success largely attributed to the crafting of in the process of appointing a new regional sales manager
a clear sales strategy that was aligned with the OEM’s goals. at one of its largest branches, while a dealer sales manager
Bangazi says, “We achieved our goals by boosting brand has already been appointed, “In fact, part of our strategy
awareness, creating a positive sales culture amongst our and 2025 vision is to take our business to the next level by
employees and improving our market intelligence.” extending our reach into new markets in Africa,” she says. •

RFA welcomes further extension for licences

By Gavin Kelly, Chief Executive Officer: The Road Freight Association

THE ROAD Freight Association (RFA) appreciates the The roll-out of the smart driver’s
Minister of Transport granting a further extension for licence will remove the requirement for an
those licences and Professional Driving Permits (PrDPs) administratively burdensome and costly
that expired during the lockdown period. It trusts that Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic
the minister will consider the proposals made by the RFA Offences (AARTO) system, whilst a smart
to implement a permanent solution to driver and vehicle vehicle registration system will vastly improve
licence issuing and renewals. licencing and roadworthy compliance.
Systems must make it efficient and speedy for
Associations representing vehicle fleet operators compliant fleets when being processed through
– RFA, the SA Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association any traffic management requirement, whilst
(SAVRALA) and the Southern Africa Bus Operators non-compliant and repeat offenders can be L O GI S T I CS NEWS
Association (SABOA) – call on the minister to implement administratively delayed, without the creation
the electronic driver’s licence should drivers’ licences not of an extra financial burden on the law-abiding
be coupled with the smart ID card as originally intended. citizens. •

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