It was a proud day for five owner-drivers when they received the keys to their brand new truck-tractors from Lafarge South Africa. An intensive process of selection, concentrating mainly on driving skills, transportation experience and safety, qualified them for the Lafarge cement business line’s small business development scheme. Cargo Carriers will mentor the new small enterprises and offer technical support out of their national depot structure.

Lafarge South Africa is the local presence of the international Lafarge Group, the world leader in cement and the largest cement producer on the African continent. The Group is also a leader in its industry for sustainable development and is committed to helping neighbouring communities around its operating sites improve their quality of life. This focuses in particular on the upliftment of education in these communities, together with artisan training and small business development.

To provide the transport expertise for the owner-driver scheme, Lafarge South Africa joined forces with its long-term transport supply partner Cargo Carriers.  Lafarge arranged the finance for the owner-drivers to purchase the truck-tractors, while Cargo Carriers will supply and retain ownership of the trailers. The truck-tractors and trailers are striking in Lafarge’s eye-catching green and white livery, together with the company’s ‘Building better cities’ branding.

“We believe our owner-driver scheme is a win-win initiative,” said Lafarge’s Tim Nelson, Supply Chain Manager – Cement. “It not only offers the opportunity of a new future for the drivers but also Lafarge gains loyal drivers who will be good brand ambassadors for the company when they interact with our customers.”

Cargo Carriers’ Marketing Director, André Jansen van Vuuren, commented: “The Owner-Driver scheme fosters true participation in the building of South Africa and the economy.  It is about a continuing partnership; where the drivers are empowered to determine their own success and future, while at the same time leading to increased productivity and enhanced service levels.”

The five drivers will be based at Cargo Carriers Lichtenburg Depot and have contracted to undertake bagged cement deliveries in the Free State, Northern Cape and North West Province. One of the key conditions for participating in the scheme is the requirement to comply at all times with the rigorous Lafarge South Africa safety standards for driving and maintenance of the vehicles.

“We are delighted to have Cargo Carriers as our partner for the owner-driver scheme,” says Nelson. “The project creates the nucleus of five small businesses, operated by individuals who have the character, passion and potential to be entrepreneurs.”