Butlers POS+ Logic, a Cape Town-based company that specializes in providing integrated Point-of-Sale logistics solutions, received global recognition in front of the greatest brands across the globe for being the “Most Innovative Warehousing & Logistics Solutions Brand” at the 7thannual Global Brands Magazine Awards held at Emperor’s Palace this past Friday evening. 

Each year, more than 8 000 companies from 130 countries are evaluated by the Global Brands Magazine in its quest to identify the best brands in the world. Nominations are accepted for different countries and regions before they are adjudicated by an independent, external research agency. The annual awards ceremony attracts executives of top brands from around the world who gather to receive the coveted award.  This was the first time in the history of the awards that the event took place in Africa.  

“The Global Brands awards have become a benchmark indicator of the world’s leading brands.  The aim of these public accolades are to honour excellence in performance and long-term customer satisfaction. Companies across different sectors are rewarded for performing exceptionally well in various different fields, including finance, education, hospitality, lifestyle, automobiles and technology. They create an awareness about the significance of exceptional service delivery and are rewarded for rising above the rest,” said Shiva Kumar, Director of Global Brands Magazine awards. “Receiving this public recognition in front of the world’s leading brand owners was both an exhilarating and humbling experience,” reports Johan Slabbert, Chief Executive Officer of Butlers POS+ Logic.

Founded in 1997, the company focuses specifically on delivering in-store marketing to the retail environment. “When we started our business 22 years ago, we never would have imaged that we would one day share the stage with some of the world’s biggest and most recognised brands.  Being singled out for developing a cutting-edge and innovative brand in the cutting-edge world of warehousing and logistics is most definitely a dream come true and the result of hard work and commitment by a team of dedicated individuals who are passionate about what we do,” Slabbert says. Point-of-Sale (POS) Logistics is increasingly regarded as a crucial element of a brand owners’ success as it supports their marketing initiatives, increases in-store visibility and is vital to achieving increased sales, brand loyalty and enhancing the customers’ in-store experience with the brand. Butlers POS+ Logic provides logistics solutions to a diverse range of clients, ranging from international brand leaders in sports gear and apparel to pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and perfumes and energy providers. 

“Managing a large variety of different products and campaigns on any given day, is a very difficult and complex operation. It is almost impossible to standardise or automate processes and you cannot afford to have a “one-size-fits-all” approach. As  a result, we see  global brands being bombarded with volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity within their markets. This causes high levels of stress and anxiety among the marketing team members and business leaders, and is almost always at the cost of creativity and brand authenticity,” Johan warns

Butlers POS+ Logic has proven that partnering with an experienced and committed service provider can radically transform their clients’ businesses and positively impact teams and individuals by relieving them of stress and helping them to proactively create solutions.  “We allows the brand owners the freedom to spend their time and creativity on developing their brand potential to its fullest, whilst we takes care of the brand kinetics,” he explains.  Another key differentiator and arguably one of their biggest value propositions to clients, is Butlers POS+ Logic’s commitment to continuous leadership development within the realms of personal transformation and the development of the authentic and personalized brand.  They have already invested more than 200 hours in leadership coaching and development focused on improving the emotional intelligence of their customer’s key decision makers.   

The company’s successes speak for themselves and prove that their approach works: emotional intelligence factors have improved by  up to 77%;  anxiety experienced in the workplace was reduced by 25%; 82% of the leaders we have worked with, showed a significant reduction in work related stressors.  Expands Johan: “We have also heavily invested in developing our own technology and artificial intelligence (AI) called ZOLAH™ - an app and online portal that allows our customers access the online Butlers POS+ Logic Marketing Material Supply Chain Management Realm.  This technology is the first of its kind in the world and allows us to focus on areas of our customers’ businesses that are often overlooked”. Operational savings achieved for clients are equally impressive:  30% overall saving thanks to real-time stock aging reporting which enabled one client to eliminate unused POS via distribution through different channels or scrapping/recycling; wastage and overspending on point of sale promotional material is reduced from 19% to 4% through Live Campaign Exception Reporting; 25% overall savings in warehousing cost and 94% improvement in POS promotional material velocity into store universe thanks to live visibility of stock; reduced inertia/drag into the market from up to 45 days to less than 7 through reminder communication, live reporting and overall improved efficiencies; improved delivery efficiency to 99% and simultaneously reduced packaging spend from more than 25% to under 10% of distribution through continuous R&D and consultation with client regarding packaging materials used.  

“When you achieve results such as these and receive reports from clients that you have literally transformed their business, you know you are onto something that is changing the market forever!” Johan concludes. 

For more information on Butlers POS+ Logic, visit www.butlersposlogic.com

Global commercial giants descend on Cape Town for the continent’s largest ecommerce gathering.  

Cape Town, South Africa: More than 300 companies within the African ecommerce ecosystem will gather in Cape Town on the 19th and 20th March to review the latest technology influencing online retail and fulfillment. Attendees will learn how to leverage the rapid growth of cross border payments; customer security and how African companies can compete with the likes of Amazon.  

The experts guiding the 2019 event are global leaders and game changers shaping the ecommerce landscape well beyond Africa. Google, Naspers, DHL and Jumia are among the giants who will be shaping the discussion. “The collection of thought leaders and the topics under discussion this year are aimed at creating an immediate impact for African ecommerce companies. From marketing to fulfilment, the world’s best will be on stage sharing best practice and innovative hacks to drive online growth”   

“It is quite remarkable to have all of these industry leaders on the same stage not only willing to share but actively working to grow the industry and ensure African customers receive a world class online shopping experience.” Terry Southam, Kinetic Managing Director. 

DHL partners with the conference for the second year running, extending their commitment to driving innovation within the fulfilment space as Lead Sponsor of the Show.  

Steve Burd, Vice President Sales for DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa, explains that the ongoing partnership between DHL and eCommerce Africa is a good fit. “As the market leaders in express logistics in Africa, we have extensive first-hand experience of the positive impact that ecommerce has on the continent. The massive growth in cross-border and international ecommerce in Africa sees DHL working with thousands more customers across the continent each year, helping them to expand their brand across borders.” 

He adds that the development of ecommerce in Africa continues to unlock major opportunities for growth. “E-commerce allows entrepreneurs and SMEs to connect with a large customer base and scale up rapidly which accelerates the need for support services. E-commerce growth therefore has a ripple-effect on many other industries on the continent.” 

“DHL’s partnership with eCommerce Africa provides us with an additional platform to connect with organisations and help them to understand key logistics considerations, and learn how to plan for and overcome any logistical challenges,” adds Burd. 

eCommerce Africa 2019 has taken additional care this year to ensure an event that is accessible to an extended audience, by offering an additional track agenda on the expo floor that educates business owners on how an effective ecommerce strategy can grow their business.  This agenda offers everything that startups and smaller businesses need to kick start and rapidly scale their business. These tickets are available at an inclusive price of only ZAR 350, to ensure every startup, small business owner and ecommerce dreamer has the opportunity to participate. 

Follow @eCommerceConfex on Twitter and join the conversation using the #ECO19 hashtag or register for the event here. 

For more information, please contact:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.+27 (0) 21 180 470014 Pickwick Road, Salt River, Cape Town. 

ABOUT KINETIC

Kinetic is a proudly South African conferencing company with an international footprint across East, West and Southern Africa. As the proud leader of the CX, ecommerce and IT conferencing industries, we strive to accelerate corporate and personal growth by connecting people, connecting companies and facilitating meaningful business connections.Established in 2008, we have produced over 100 conferences and exhibitions that have hosted over 100 000 delegates, 5000 speakers and 450 sponsors. Our mission is to inspire change in the industries we service, by leaving our delegates with fresh insights, new perspectives and real business opportunities. 

ENDS

Matchbox is a free and innovative new app that is revolutionizing the freight industry, connecting shippers and transporters directly in real time. This Durban-based tech is cleverly named after its ability to literally match “boxes” or containers with transporters. 

The idea for Matchbox was conceived in April 2016 by a team with over 40 years’ combined experience in logistics in Africa. 

“We’re industry insiders and could clearly see the gap in the market. We started Matchbox to simplify the current process to find, book, track and pay for road transport in Africa,” said Anton Potgieter, Founder of Matchbox. “There is similar tech successfully operating in the US and Asia that can clearly work here in South Africa that will bring transparency and efficiency to road transport and reduce the cost of logistics in Africa.” 

Both transporters and shippers stand to benefit tremendously from this new mobile app as it aims to assist owner-operators, local, and regional fleets to increase their loads and expand business. Transporters can look forward to “no more wasted space” by signing up for alerts to nearby jobs being auctioned to the best bidder while in turn typically offering shippers a lower rate than current industry standards.  

Thus far the response to Matchbox has been incredibly positive. Tommy van Deventer, owner of Euroblitz, shares, “I found a load on Matchbox for one of my trucks that needed a return load from Durban. I quoted on the load and my quote was accepted by the cargo owner, all of this was done within 30 minutes, online and without one phone call.” 

The app has the added benefit of its Transport Management System (TMS) which helps transporters manage their fleet and assign drivers to respond to jobs. Local driver, David Moghatla, confirms: “I downloaded the Matchbox app on my phone and my manager could send me all the load details straight on the phone, it was easy.” 

Development was finalized in January 2017 and post a robust and thorough beta testing period Matchbox launches publicly in August 2017.  

Key innovations to move the industry forward

The innovative advantages of MATCHBOX include:

• Allows shippers to choose their transporters from a verified database that lists their ratings from customers as well as their ongoing performance.
  
  
• Live tracking is available on each load with free Transport Management Service for each transporterTransporters bid on each load, which ensures shippers get the best rates and transporters increase productivity.
  
  
• Fast pay is enabled via electronic pod’s and options for payment on pod
  
  
• MATCHBOX vet and verify all transporters on the platform with goods in transit insurance in place. 

“Matchbox is set to be a success in South Africa, and our immediate future plan is to target deployment in East Africa next year,” says Potgieter.   

Whether you are a shipper or a transporter, logistics are made easier and more efficient via the online support and live chat. Matchbox gives you end-to-end control of all your shipments through one compact portal.

Matchbox is available for Android and currently operates in the South African market.

Visit the website, Matchbox.bid, for more information.

The recently launched Westlake View Logistics Park in Modderfontein, Gauteng, is everything a world class A grade logistics park should be – well located, well designed and easily accessible.

Situated within the Westlake View Logistics Hub off the N3 London Road off ramp, it is particularly suited to blue chip companies looking for a strategic position in a sought after location where land for development is limited.  

Westlake View Logistics Park is also something of a trendsetter.  Speaking at the launch of Phase 1 of the Westlake View Logistics Park, Fortress Income Fund’s executive director Andrew Teixeira explained that this latest facility had been designed according to the latest global best practice and incorporated top grade safety and security features and best green building practices.  

Fortress Income Fund – one of the top property funds on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange with a property portfolio worth over R28,7-billion – has strategically positioned itself as a provider of premier logistics and warehousing facilities for blue chip tenants in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape.   

It has one of the largest logistics property development pipelines in South Africa. Westlake View forms part of the 1 million sqm of warehousing that is due to be developed over the next five years. This equates to a combined investment of approximately R8 billion.  

Teixeira said there had been growth in demand for warehousing in South Africa in recent years. Supply chain management trends had seen the consolidation of multiple distribution points into larger, centralised regional distribution hubs. Both the recently launched first phase of Westlake View and the second phase that is to follow facilitate this trend.  

In addition, Westlake View has been designed with other key trends in supply chain management in mind. Intelligently designed warehousing enables companies to weed out inefficiencies and wastage.  “We help drive down costs through technology and innovative warehouse design.

We also offer facilities that are located in optimal locations that reduce transport costs and the “cost per pallet”.  

Accessibility is another priority for Fortress.  

Teixeira pointed out that, in addition to being close to the N3, Westlake View also has a second entrance which would enable tenants to bypass traffic congestion when necessary. 

Well thought out internal infrastructure such as double carriage way access into and out of the park as well as large yards ensures free flow of traffic and allows for quicker turnaround times. This minimises delays and pushes down any unnecessary costs.  

Teixeira explained that, from a warehouse design perspective, the most critical elements were the height and the floor. The first warehouse at Westlake View has been built to a height of 13,5m to the underside of the eaves which allows for racking up to 12 metres. This is the highest pallet position that can be accessed by standard equipment, minimising the need to use expensive, specialised equipment.  

He said the FM2 joint-less warehouse floor was a solid platform that can take a 12 ton point load. This not only allowed easy access for equipment to be used within the space but also minimised wear and tear on equipment used within the warehouse.  

He added that Fortress had designed its facilities with up to three times less columns than in older facilities which allowed its tenants to optimise efficiency. They were also not forced to design their racking systems around numerous columns. The inclusion of large amounts of clear sheeting promotes energy efficiency and ensures that the warehouse can continue to operate during power outages.  

Westlake View Logistics Park, which is valued at a total of R350 million, comprises two phases.  The first phase - a 17 838 sqm warehouse with 2 040 sqm of office space and a 37 metre yard – was completed at the end of March and is ready for occupation.  

A second phase comprising over 20 000 sqm of warehouse space is due to start in the middle of this year and will be ready for occupation in mid-2018.  Teixeira said that Fortress would continue to monitor logistics trends to ensure that all our warehouse developments remain cutting edge. 

“Our model of warehousing is the future of logistics. South Africa’s rate of import is still growing and, with it an increase in the demand for warehousing facilities,” he concluded.  

For more information, visit www.fortressfund.co.za

The JSE listed Fortress Income Fund has officially launched the Louwlardia Logistics Park, a R650 million A Grade logistics facility that is under development alongside the N1 in Centurion.  

Speaking at the launch,  executive director Andrew Teixeira said that Louwlardia was part of the 1 million sqm of warehousing that is due to be developed by Fortress over the next five years. This equates to a combined investment of an estimated R8 billion in South Africa’s logistics sector during that period.  

Fortress Income Fund has become a powerhouse in the South African property industry since listing in 2009. Innovative asset management and a diverse property portfolio has seen the fund showing positive growth every year.  

The fund focuses on development of prime logistic warehousing, retail centres and strategic offshore investments. Fortress owns 336 investment properties valued at R28,7-billion at the end of December 2016 and has one of the largest logistics property development pipelines in South Africa.   Louwlardia, which will see approximately 90 000 sqm of warehousing developed on the 16,7 hectare site, is expected to be completed within the next 24 months.  

The first phase, which comprises a 21 785 sqm warehouse with 1 843 sqm offices, is complete and ready for occupancy. It has already drawn a great deal of interest from prospective blue chip tenants.  

National leasing manager, Grant Lewington, said that Louwlardia was an example of the Grade A logistics facilities that the fund is developing in three major nodes - Gauteng, Cape Town and Durban.  

The Fortress Income Fund’s portfolio is strongly weighted towards logistics facilities located in prime locations. These are let to corporate tenants on long leases.  

The focus on logistics is due to ever increasing demand for these sorts of facilities from companies operating in a highly competitive economy that is driven by imports, primarily through Africa’s busiest container port, Durban.  

South Africa’s economy is transport intensive and imports destined for South Africa as well as  neighbouring countries are expected to grow. Already logistics is one of the fastest growing service sectors in the economy, ensuring a strong income stream for the fund going forward.  

Teixeira emphasised that, as long term holders of property, Fortress is focussed on delivering a quality product and was setting new trends in the development of logistics facilities in South Africa.  

“In a tough economy where cost containment and efficiency are king, we are actually providing A grade logistics at a lower cost.  With properties that offer high tech design that includes the likes of solar and natural light to reduce power consumption, strategic locations that make for more efficient distribution and properties that provide easy access and better turnaround times, we are effectively lowering the cost per pallet,” he explained.  

Lewington noted that Fortress continued to strengthen its position as the preferred developer of logistics warehouses by delivering a technically superior product that, together with the group’s strategically located land, would ensure a sustainable development pipeline.  

He emphasised that all of Fortress’s parks were developed according to global best practice and to the highest standards. They include the provision of adequate internal height, flat floors, large loading areas with hard wearing concrete surfaces as well as good access to freeways and arterial routes.  

The newly launched warehouse at Louwlardia has a height of 13,5m to the underside of the eaves which offers efficiencies of scale and an FM2 floor which provides a solid platform for the erection of racking and easy movement of mechanised machinery with a 38m yard.  

It also provides a secure park environment with 24 hour security, a central gate and electric fence as well as a fire system with central pumps and tanks that will serve the entire park.  

Green building best practice is incorporated via features such as low maintenance indigenous landscaping that is fully irrigated and buildings that can accommodate photo voltaic cells for the production of electricity.  

However, the key draw card remains Louwlardia’s prime location with excellent highway visibility and accessibility to road, rail and domestic and international air freight hubs.   “It is well situated adjacent to the N1 highway between Johannesburg and Pretoria with access from the N1 via Brakfontein and Nellmapius Roads.  It is also well connected to two major alternative routes (the R21 and N14) and provides easy access to both the OR Tambo and Lanseria Airports as well as major centres,” he explained.  

He added that the N1 frontage was a prime location with excellent highway visibility for signage and branding.  

For more information, visit http://www.fortressfund.co.za/  

Ends  

Note to editors:   Additional new projects under development by Fortress nationally include:  

Union Park, Germiston: The initial 24 000 sqm logistics facility already developed on this property is home to a large multinational tenant. Fortress is in the throes of developing a further 65 000 sqm of A grade logistics space here with the first 13 400 sqm of prime space expected to be available for occupation by October 17. JT Son Construction has been appointed the main contractor on the initial phase of the total R300 million project. “We needed to improve access to this property. Now that this has been substantially improved, with a new entrance we’ve unlocked excellent land that is particularly suitable for warehousing and light manufacturing. We are developing state of the art facilities that complement this strategic location,” says Jason Cooper, development manager. He said that the location had long been identified as a logistics hub by large logistics operators such as Massmart, D.S.V, Imperial and House and Home. Situated opposite Rand Airport, Union Park’s tenants will benefit from 24 hour security in a well-designed logistics park environment that is strategically located close to both the N3 and the N17, making it ideal for prospective tenants commuting between Johannesburg and Durban.  A major plus is that trucks can avoid congestion at the Geldenhuys and Giloolys interchanges.  

Westlake View, Gauteng: Conveniently located off the N1 Modderfontein, this R350 million development is particularly suited to big box users looking for a strategic position in this sought after logistics hub where land for development is very limited.   Construction of the first phase of this development -   a 17 838 sqm warehouse with 2 040 sqm of office space – has just been completed. The 25 000 sqm second phase is due to start in the middle of this year and will be ready for occupation in mid-2018.   Development manager, Konrad Kohler, said there had already been a great deal of interest from prospective end users.  

East Port Logistics, Gauteng: Located on the R21, near the Serengeti development and OR Tambo International Airport, this 110 hectare site will see development begin in mid-2017. The 500 000 sqm of prime logistics space will be developed in 5-7 years with the first 30 000 sqm warehouse expected to be completed during the third quarter of 2018.  

Clairwood Logistics Park, Durban: Construction of this R3,5 billion facility began late last year. It is located on the former Clairwood Race Course, the only remaining flat land available for a greenfields development in south Durban. As such, it is 11,2 kilometres from the existing container terminal entrance and 3,5 kilometres from the site set aside for the Durban Dig Out port. On completion, it will include 350 000 sqm of warehousing in a well reticulated high tech park.   Development manager, Nico Prinsloo says that the R135 million allocated towards updating aged infrastructure, including surrounding roads, traffic intersections and pedestrian thoroughfares as well as on ramps to the nearby freeway are expected to significantly improve tenants’ convenience and will facilitate traffic flow in what is one of the most congested areas of the city.  

Cornubia Ridge Logistics Park, Durban:  This joint venture with M&F Giuricich Developments will comprise 80 000 sqm logistics and 30 000 sqm retail space set on a 27 hectare site beside the N2 opposite Umhlanga’s Gateway precinct. It is within 10 minutes of the King Shaka International airport and the Dube TradePort and close to Durban’s evolving GO!Durban rapid transport network.   The joint investment is expected to be around R1 billion.  

“Access was a key element in our decision to buy the property. It has great micro and macro access to the N3 and tenants will benefit from its proximity to the massive Umhlanga interchange which is due for completion by the end of the year. There is a shortage of land for the development of a prime logistic facility such as this in greater Durban. An added bonus is that this site will be connected to the Gateway precinct via the N2 Cornubia Bridge, making it the ideal location to service logistics hubs in Northern KZN as well as Durban,” says development manager, Konrad Kohler.  

Earthworks for the first phase of the development have just begun and the first 20 000 sqm warehouse is expected to be complete within nine months and ready for occupation during the third quarter of next year.