Domestic and international courier company Aerospeed Couriers’ Michael Gillman says that the passing of the Postal Services Amendment Bill, which will prohibit the distribution of parcels that are of less than 1 kg by private companies, is a concern to the courier industry.
“One of the biggest challenges in the courier industry is the competition with the Post Office. With the Post Office looking to do away with private courier companies, we have an ongoing battle, but the courier industry is doing well and it continues to thrive,” he tells Engineering News.
Other challenges in the logis- tics and courier services industry, says Gillman, are the minor inconvenience of lane closures and road obstructions that are part of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project. The company has overcome traffic congestion and delays in its operations by adopting strategies to improve efficiencies, such as the use of multiple drivers for deliveries in a general area, which halves the amount of deliveries and collections. This ensures that deadlines are adhered to.
With fuel being a major component of the logistics industry costs, Aerospeed Couriers maintains its vehicles by carefully mapping out its delivery routes, through global positioning systems, for fuel economy and to prevent any price increases for its customers.
The company has sustained itself through tough economic times by increasing its sales efforts, improving marketing strategies and keeping credit in good order and under strict control and observation, as well as by diversifying its business offering and extending its services from exclusively door-to-door courier- ing to a wider base.
“Aerospeed Couriers has weathered the international economic meltdown through our loyal customers who have stayed with us because of our high- quality service.”
Gillman concludes that the logistics industry is an exciting and dynamic industry that is continuously growing and which enables all modern businesses to function despite challenges.
http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/courier-industry-thriving-despite-challenges-2009-11-13