Capital Equipment News February 2022

TRANSPORT NEWS

Mercedes-Benz Trucks cements its partnership with Cargo Carriers

Cargo Carriers is a leading provider of supply chain and transport logistics solutions across Southern Africa. Its exponential growth and success over the years is a reflection of grit and determination, firmly entrenched in its long-standing partnership with one of the leading truck brands in Southern Africa — Mercedes-Benz Trucks. To further strengthen this well-established relationship, towards the end of October 2021, Mercedes-Benz Trucks together with its dealership New Vaal Motors Vereeniging successfully handed over 13 Mercedes-Benz Actros 2645 LS33 Pure models to Cargo Carriers. Cargo Carriers, whose fleet primarily con- sists of Mercedes-Benz truck models, began its journey with Mercedes-Benz Trucks Volvo Group Southern Africa has announced the appointment of Waldemar André Christensen as the company’s new Vice President and Managing Director with effect from 1 February 2022. He is replacing Marcus Hörberg, who will be joining the Volvo Trucks team in France. Christensen started his Volvo career in 2011 in his native Norway. He has vast ex- perience in commercial product manage- ment, government, and fleet sales, as well as dealer and retail operations. Christensen was the MD of Volvo Trucks in Norway from 2016 to 2019. Most recently, he was head of Truck Sales Op- erations for the Volvo European regional The local transport industry is showing steady signs of recovery from the ongoing global impact of COVID-19. A total of 27 075 trucks and buses were sold during 2021 in South Africa, an increase of 19% compared to previous years. “Despite all the unforeseen setbacks over the past two years, the local trans- port industry is showing steady growth. It will be a bumpy road ahead of full economic recovery, requiring interventions such as building smarter logistics with lower environmental impact and taking a value-based approach to managing supply chains,” said Filip Van den Heede, Managing Director of UD Trucks Southern Africa.

in 1956 following a purchase of the first Mercedes-Benz LS 315 truck, and since then the company has been a part of the Mer- cedes-Benz Trucks family. In total, including the recent purchase, Cargo Carriers proudly boasts approximately 200 safe, reliable, and fuel-efficient Mercedes-Benz truck tractors in its fleet. Commenting on this long-standing part- nership, Marketing Director: Cargo Carriers, Andre Jansen van Vuuren says: “It is a privilege for Cargo Carriers to be associated with Mercedes-Benz Trucks and I am partic- ularly proud to say that this handover further reaffirms our commitment and faith to the brand. We constantly review and upgrade our fleet when a business need arises to take advantage of the new technology that Mercedes-Benz Trucks has to offer to better

serve our customer’s business needs. With every truck purchase, we are guaranteed the best dealer support and favourable Total Cost of Ownership, which allows us to be more competitive in the market. In addition, this revolutionary brand also offers us better Uptime and Utilization, which enhances service delivery to our end customers.” Maretha Gerber, Vice President: Sales and Marketing weighs in on this strong relationship: “As Mercedes-Benz Trucks we are delighted to be a part of this amazing success story and to be associated with Cargo Carriers, which is at the forefront of the supply chain and transport logistics busi- ness. We have witnessed its tremendous growth over the years, and I am thrilled that today the company plays a crucial role in the trucking industry”. b

Volvo Group Southern Africa welcomes new Vice President value chain, located at Volvo headquarters in Gothenburg, Sweden. Christensen has an MBA, and his qualifications are cen- tred on business, administration, law, and entrepreneurship.

“I am excited to be given this oppor- tunity and look forward to supporting our South African customers in building sustainable businesses for the future,” he said. “The Volvo Group Southern Africa team has extensive experience in the local transport environment, and I greatly value their insights and knowledge, especially now as the global logistics industry is fac- ing some challenging business conditions.

Volvo Group Southern Africa Vice President Waldemar Christensen.

We look forward to taking Volvo Trucks to new heights, to the benefit of our custom- ers, our staff and society at large.” b

A golden era for logistics: positive growth outlook with a high focus on sustainability

“As the saying goes, ‘in every crisis lies great opportunity’. The post pandemic era presents the logistics industry with an opportunity to be part of working towards a greener planet. Logistics providers have been part of the environmental degradation problem that our planet faces, and it is now time to go the extra mile and be an active part of the solution as well. “Our long-standing commitment to providing trucks and services the world needs has led UD Trucks to introduce Euro 5 trucks ahead of regulations in South Africa. Our Euro 5 model range will expand with the addition of two new models later this year. A Euro 5

Filip Van den Heede, Managing Director of UD Trucks Southern Africa.

system with SCR (selective catalytic reduction) technology has long been a globally proven technology in reducing carbon footprint, lowering NOx (Nitro- gen Oxide) levels, and ensuring cleaner emissions for a ‘Better Life’ for all.” b

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