OVERVIEW

Competitive advantage... sweating the asset In the Logistics Division, Capespan concentrates on marketing, supply chain and support services. Although fresh produce handling remains the core business, we've taken advantage of the huge opportunities to grow into support services for other commodities.

FRESH PRODUCE TERMINALS (FPT)

Please see FPT on the left-hand navigation for more details.

ADDO COLD STORE

Pride of place goes to Capespan's latest cold store in Addo, with almost 50 percent owned by the local community.

UNIVERSAL REEFERS and CAPE REEFERS

Please see Cape Reefers on the left-hand navigation for more details.

GROOT GARIEP KOELKAMERS

As the largest cold store in the Orange River region, the store cools more than 25 percent of all grapes in this area - a cool 3,5 million cartons a year. Plans are afoot to make use of this store during the eight months outside the grape season.

MATOLA CARGO TERMINAL

Being one of only two road terminals on this important route, MCT in Mozambique supplies logistical and storage facilities to the Mozambique customs authority. Complementary services include warehousing, handling, cold storage, distribution, transport, citrus cooling and handling. To further leverage our logistical resources, we acquired 51 percent of Aguas de Goba Limitada - a mineral water bottler and distributor. With business booming in this remote region, our aim is to expand into a wider range of logistical services in Mozambique.

THE FRESH CHAIN

Soon after the South African fruit industry was deregulated it was realized that fruit would move from primary producers to end-consumers through a number of channel options. Channel selection would be based on supply chain cost pressures and competencies; price; owning business relationships; and a relentless drive for competitiveness created by the high number of new market entrants. Markets would evolve to the 'shortest route' through a rise in business to business trading. These trends highlighted the need to develop new logistic and supply chain solutions to service emerging trade channels commercially and competitively.

From 2003 service options were developed and tested from within the Capespan Exports (Pty) Ltd logistics department and new business processes were developed. In January 2006 The Fresh Chain was established as an independent operational entity and positioned as a division of Capespan (Pty) Ltd.

Operating commercially and independently from the South African fruit marketing and procurement functions within the group, our division is nevertheless closely aligned with the global Capespan business strategy in that a high proportion of the fruit that we handle either originates from Capespan-aligned suppliers, or is destined for Capespan's global marketing entity network.

From inception, The Fresh Chain's customer base has grown steadily to more than 30 active clients for the 2009 fruit season. Forecasted volume for 2009 is approximately 70 000 pallets. Visit http://www.thefreshchain.co.za/