PTV Group opens its first branch office in Africa

The well-known software solutions and consulting company, PTV Group, announced on January 18 that it will be expanding its reach into Africa.

One of PVT’s goals over the years has been to have an office on each continent. When it successfully took over Distribution Planning Software International (DPS) in 2016, the idea of having an office in Johannesburg became more viable.

“PVT is expecting the new African branch office to boost the software business for planning and optimisation of traffic and logistics with local expertise,” says Vincent Kobesen, CEO at PTV Group.

Kobesen adds: “We have long been active in this region and now, with our own branch office and personnel with local experience, we can support our customers more intensively than from our headquarters in Karlsruhe, Germany. At the same time, we will further extend the geographic market coverage for our entire product range.”

The German software producer, which was founded in 1979, believes that with its own office in Johannesburg it can now lay the last cornerstone for a global presence on all continents and that its customers will benefit from greater availability and better service.

Charel Schickerling, MD at DPS, will be heading the new African branch office. He intends to use his expertise in the transport and logistics industries to advance PTV Africa’s business development in the future. This will benefit both the transport logistics and the traffic planning sectors.

“Over the last two years, we have been able to establish a stable business environment with the help of numerous customers. Our customers’ needs are always at the centre of our actions. This is reflected in the excellent reputation we have gained during this time,” says Schickerling.

He adds that the company will continue to pursue these goals and values in customer service within the new corporate structures. “Dealing with logistics and traffic products opens up a variety of options and opportunities. We are convinced that we will be able to establish strong and successful business relationships, which will result in measurable added value for market participants.”