Shaping Global Economies Through Freight Forwarding Innovation

The South African Association of Freight Forwarders (SAAFF) will host its fifth annual congress, supportedby platinum sponsor,the Lombard Insurance Group from 8-9 October 2013at the Hilton, Sandton.  Since its inception, the congress has grown in terms of delegate numbers and industry support, entrenching it as the definitive knowledge event focused on the trends, opinions, issues and opportunities facing today’s evolved freight logistics providers.

“The freight forwarding market has been a major beneficiary of an increasingly globalised world economy. The significant year-on-year growth in international trade volumes has driven the evolution of the freight forwarder, inherently linked to the success of global trade and the development of new markets.  Against this backdrop, it hardly seems surprising that the congresscontinues to grow and attract robust debatefrom key players in the market.  This year’s event also receives the endorsement and support of the South African Express Parcel Association (SAEPA), which represents the multi-billion Rand South African courier industry, another major role player in facilitating global business,” says David Logan, CEO of SAAFF.

In a research report released by Accenture in 2012 which researched the global forwarding industry over the period from 2008 to 2011, the industry’s four, core customer segments—healthcare and pharmaceuticals, electronics and technology, automotive and industrial equipment, consumer packaged goods and retail—are all continuing to globalize. And as they enter new and especially emerging markets they are demanding much more than traditional transportation and warehousing services from freight forwarding and contract logistics providers. Leading logistics companies are becoming integrators of specialised service solutions, building scale and expanding, both by acquiring other players and by investing in new logistics infrastructures and customer-facing technologies according to the Accenture report.

“Having long-abandoned the image of transport intermediaries, today’s freight management logistics providers manage an array of complex functions and issues, being responsible for an entire array of services within the supply chain. The two-day congress will highlight and debate many of the pressing issues from customs modernization, security, piracy, supply chain efficiencies, trade credit, risk management, political risk, legislation, FAIS, economic trading factors, transformation, training and in-demand skills and more,” says David.

“Our industry is also in a unique position to tap into the incredible growth currently shaping the African continent where some of the fastest growing economies reside.  Added to this the rapid reconstruction and development projects taking place throughout the continent will rely heavily on the services of freight forwarders.  Africa’s abundance of commodities is estimated to generate about a third of Africa’s growth.  All this requires trusted partners in the movement of goods to facilitate global trade, and the forwarders best positioned to capitalise on this are those that have robust infrastructures, global capability, solid expertise and a deep understanding of trade in African countries, which is not without its fair share of risk,” adds David.

“Global pressures on world markets are impacting on our members and the congress is an ideal platform to really get to grips with the realities and challenges of our current trading environment.  It’s an ideal platform for sponsors and suppliers to engage directly with the senior decision makers of freight forwarding companies, government, suppliers and policy makers,” he concludes.

Running alongside the congress will be a two-day industry supplier exhibition as well as a one day training and education workshop on Tues 8 October covering important issues regarding skills development, industry qualifications, talent management, training, BBBEEand more – all critical issues for HR managers and directors in the freight forwarding industry.

The 2-day SAAFF Congress, exhibition and HR workshoptakes place from Tues 8 – Wed 9 October 2013 at the Hilton Hotel, Sandton.  For more information about the congress or to book your seats contact the congress organisers, Teresa Settas Communications on (011) 894 2767 or e-mail nadine@tscommunications.co.za.