Unitrans fights back to the top

Unitrans offers such a wide variety of services yet the values the company consistently applies to all its business ventures and customer relationships – safety and trust – are what highlights its key to success.

“It was a tremendous honour for Unitrans to receive the prestigious Focus on Excellence, Best Transport Operator award for 2010,” says Frank Wagner, CEO of Unitrans Supply Chain Solutions.  “This was a tribute that was awarded to us in 2006, 2007 and 2008, so we are immensely pleased that we were once again voted top transporter, confirming that Unitrans, as innovative supply chain partners, sees transport as a fundamental part of the supply chain.”

Unitrans has experienced exciting new developments during the year in the various segments of industry in which it operates, including the wider fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector and several other warehousing and distribution contracts.  All of Unitrans’ supply chain business involves transport and the company is vigilant in its adherence to SHEQ principles.

“The very nature of the various industries in which we operate exposes us to major risk on a continual basis,” continues Wagner, “and, as with our fuel and chemical division, dangerous goods delivered over vast distances increases our exposure to potential incidents, accidents, injury or even fatalities.”

Accordingly, the focus on safe operations and ongoing driver training is of utmost importance to Unitrans in all of its operations.

“Our customers, who are our partners, expect exceptional performance from Unitrans and in this regard our successes in the past have in fact established the benchmark for the future.  Our focus on operational excellence, continual improvement and an absolute commitment to safety, health, environment and quality is not negotiable.

“We build relationships with our customers, which are critical to the winning, growth and retention of all business. As we are, in most cases, dealing directly with our customers’ clients, it is important to us to establish a high level of trust between ourselves and our customers,” Wagner reveals.

A full range of transportation, warehousing, distribution, supply chain consulting services, freight and passenger logistics, freight forwarding, motor retailing and car rental services are offered to customers by the Unitrans group.

“We are delighted to have received this esteemed award,” concluded Wagner.  “Our gratitude goes out to all our management, staff, suppliers and, most importantly, our customers, who have all helped us to achieve this accolade. Thanks also to Focus and sponsor WesBank for the outstanding contribution they are making by promoting excellence in our industry.”

Recent Successes
The Unitrans business model of providing innovative supply chain solutions, excellence in partnership with its clients, combined with the high standards at which it operates, and a “Can Do” culture, have contributed to the company receiving several prestigious awards.

At the 2010 Logistics Achievers Awards (LAA), Unitrans received an esteemed Gold award for Setjhaba Carriers, a Unitrans and De Beers partnership.  Setjhaba Carriers was created as a result of a BBBEE commitment to manage a load and haul contract, awarded by De Beers, following the restructuring by De Beers Kimberley Mines of its local business.

The LAA Enviro award was also presented to Unitrans and Pick n Pay, in recognition of the green initiatives implemented in the design of Pick n Pay’s dry goods warehouse.

Further recognition of the Unitrans/Pick n Pay green initiatives at Longmeadow DC was received with the award of the Best Project – over R10 million.  This award, along with others, is a joint initiative of the Consumer Goods Council of SA, the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and the Supply Chain Today publication.

A Major Award for Unitrans Passenger
Unitrans was doubly proud when the Greyhound division of Unitrans Passenger was also recognised as a top achiever within the transport industry and was voted Focus on Excellence, Best Coach Operator 2010.