Kerry Logistics acquires South Africa’s SAS
In an attempt to increase its presence in South Africa, Kerry Logistics Network has acquired Johannesburg-based freight forwarding and logistics company Shipping and Airfreight Services.
May 30, 2018: In an attempt to increase its presence in South Africa, Kerry Logistics Network has acquired Johannesburg-based freight forwarding and logistics company Shipping and Airfreight Services.
Established 30 years ago, SAS provides its international customers with flexible logistics solutions. With the takeover of SAS’ air and ocean freight entities, Kerry Logistics expands its service offerings in the South African freight forwarding market, leveraged by a network of agents in Africa. The new Johannesburg office will be managed as part of Kerry Logistics’ Europe division.
SAS freight forwarding unit offers a complete suite of ocean and air freight services, including Less than Container Load (LCL) and Full Container Load (FCL), as well as break bulk services for ocean freight cargoes. The service portfolio for air freight cargoes encompasses direct air freight shipments, consolidation, and charter services. SAS also provides customised warehousing and distribution solutions to guarantee reliable services in the complex African market.
Thomas Blank, managing director of Europe, Kerry Logistics, said, “South Africa’s economy has an important standing on the African continent with excellent trade lanes not only to the Chinese market but also the large exporting economies of the European Union. We are pleased about this great opportunity to further develop our business through this trade. We are glad to welcome the entire SAS team into the Kerry Logistics network. Their experience and local knowledge will strengthen our freight forwarding capabilities in Africa.”
Carla Laue, managing director of SAS, added, “SAS looks forward to joining the Kerry Logistics family and adding first-hand knowledge of the African freight forwarding market to Kerry Logistics’ global network. Together, we will work to bring South Africa even closer to markets around the world.”
As the second largest economy in Africa, South Africa is an important manufacturing hub for the global automotive market. The automotive industry is responsible for a significant amount of South Africa’s imports and exports and will continue to make foreign trade a staple of the country’s economy.
This acquisition is part of Kerry Logistics’ long-term international freight forwarding strategy to expand its coverage worldwide. Over the past year, Kerry Logistics has been growing its network and services under the Belt and Road initiative and expanded its presence in nine countries across Central Asia. In Europe, Kerry Logistics enhanced its footprint with acquisitions in Spain, Germany, Italy, and opening of its first own office in Warsaw, Poland.