Coca-Cola rises above recent challenges

What does it take to overcome the current difficulties within the transport industry – and then go on to thrive? One of the key success factors is employing the right person for the job; a person such as Thokozani Nkosi, CCBSA Logistics Manager. He talks to FOCUS about the global giant’s Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa’s logistics operations in light of recent industry challenges.

Nkosi was born in Mpumalanga and grew up in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal, studying a BComm at UKZN from 1996 to 1998. “I wanted to be a Chartered Accountant, so I went to serve articles at an accounting and auditing firm from 1999 to 2000,” he says. “I lost my passion for accounting as a profession early on. I took the decision to branch off into logistics and never looked back. I have been working in logistics and operations for 20 years, including working for great companies in the Alcoholic Ready to Drink, Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), and Non-Alcoholic Ready to Drink industries and finally Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA).”

Working for CCBSA has been one of Nkosi’s primary long-term goals. “I have always wanted to be associated with the world’s greatest brand – Coca Cola,” he enthuses. “Even while I was working in the alcohol industry, I already had my eyes and heart set on getting a job with Coca-Cola.”

While the field of transport and logistics is a demanding environment, Nkosi says that the frameworks and programmes put in place by the company regularly enable its employees to overcome the varied challenges of the sector. Says Nkosi, “We have a well-streamlined logistics network, systems and processes which make doing our jobs much simpler. The training we have in place also maximises safety.

“All our drivers undergo an intense driver training programme annually through our Drive Academy. This training is conducted by an independent company and includes an on-road assessment. There is also a specific focus on driver health to ensure the safety of our owner-drivers, our assets, and other road users,” he continues. He also notes that speed-governing devices installed across the company’s fleet have contributed to this: “Since the installation of these devices, we have seen a significant reduction in the number of road incidents and accidents involving our trucks over the years. We are particularly pedantic about the safety of all our employees, communities, and other road users.”

Nkosi says that the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted logistics operations over the last two years, necessitating adjustments, noting, “Many companies suffered serious setbacks during the pandemic, and we had to work hard and optimise our operations and revisit our logistics resources and strategy. What was important was to always deliver consistent and excellent service to our customers and consumers.”

Furthermore, the recent floods in KwaZulu-Natal have also had wide-ranging consequences. “The floods not only impacted our operations, but also our partners, employees, and customers as well,” Nkosi points out. “Most of Durban and the surrounding areas were inaccessible due to the impact on the road network, as we were unable to reach some of our customers for about two days.” He goes on to highlight the fact that the effects of the flooding are still being felt: “We have been forced to use alternative routes to get to our customers, which means additional kilometres that we now need to travel in order to deliver our products.”

Combined with the substantial recent fuel price increases, this has added to transport costs, the price of goods and placed more pressure on logistics networks across the board. At the same time, though, it has helped to foster innovation. “We have had to be more creative and efficient and find productivity enhancing initiatives to mitigate the impact of the fuel price increase,” explains Nkosi. , adding that the company constantly  reviews its  operations.. “We are operating in a rapidly changing and dynamic trading environment that requires the ability to pivot and adapt expeditiously while continuing to understand our customers’ needs and deliver accordingly.  In fact, to survive and really thrive in this environment, you need to keep up with the change by having exceptional insight, understand trends and have the willingness to try seize opportunities when they arise.”