Imperial enters strategic partnership with MiX Telematics
Imperial enters strategic partnership with MiX Telematics
Two of the best-known names in the global transport industry – MiX Telematics and Imperial – have announced a strategic business partnership. This comes at a time when reliable and efficient transport has never been more important.
MiX Telematics, a leading global Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) provider of connected fleet management solutions, has announced an agreement to be the preferred telematics provider for Imperial, a leading African-focused provider of integrated market access and logistics solutions. This strategic business partnership allows for the alignment of data and reporting across Imperial.
Imperial – ranked among the top 30 global logistics providers and listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) in South Africa – has been a customer of MiX Telematics for more than 10 years. With a focus on five key industries – healthcare, consumer, automotive, chemicals and industrial and commodities – Imperial takes its clients’ products to some of the fastest-growing and most challenging markets in the world. The company employs more than 25 000 people in 26 countries, and has an annual revenue of R46,4 billion.
Seamless integration on the cards
The new agreement means that MiX’s premium solution will be implemented across Imperial’s entire fleet for its proven risk-management benefits. The telemetry data provided is integrated seamlessly into Imperial’s management systems, providing an overall view of operations, and allowing for rich data analysis and the identification of trends for continuous efficiency improvements.
In addition, the MiX Track and React bureau service will be used to ensure safe vehicle and driver operations. The fleet’s safety and monitoring are further enhanced with the MiX Vision camera solution and MiX Vision bureau service, the benefits of which are greater visibility and insights into Imperial’s vehicles and drivers in real-time.
Perfect timing
This partnership comes at a time when transport has never been more important, because logistics companies are set to transport the most precious of all cargoes, namely Covid-19 vaccines.
As an integrated logistics and market access provider and the largest logistics provider in South Africa, serving as a gateway to Africa in over 20 countries on the continent, Imperial is well positioned to play an integral role in the distribution of critical Covid-19 vaccines.
“Our core capabilities span the breadth and depth of the supply chain, and our particular expertise in the healthcare sector uniquely positions us to ensure that vaccines are distributed safely and reliably to a complex outpatient network across South Africa,” says Mohammed Akoojee, Imperial’s group chief executive officer.
“Our track record includes the widespread distribution of millions of anti-retroviral and other critical medicines in complex and challenging markets in Africa, as well as the ongoing supply of vaccines in the South African government’s paediatric programme. We also reach thousands of outpatient distribution points in South Africa as often as required and are therefore able to ensure that wastage is minimised, and last-mile distribution is both compliant and efficient.”
Imperial’s clearing and forwarding capability manages products from point of manufacture or distribution outside South Africa to distribution centres in-country, with full tracking capabilities. Its warehousing capabilities include over 48 000 m² under roof across Cape Town and Pretoria, with over 3 000 pallet locations located in cold storage.
Its transportation network is extensive, with bulk and fine capabilities across more than 5 400 outpatient distribution points in South Africa in both the public and private sector, including pharmacies, hospitals, doctors and clinics. Temperature monitoring, cold chain packaging, security measures and track and trace capabilities augment its transportation offering, with integrated systems allowing for full visibility throughout the supply chain, as well as the option of activating serialisation tracking.
“Aside from maintaining cold chain integrity, one of the critical success factors of the vaccine roll-out in South Africa will be access to a network of trained nurses who can administer the vaccine, particularly in rural areas where hospitals are not easily accessible,” says Akoojee. “Our PPLE Healthcare business has 600 nurses available for deployment, as well as the ability to train additional nursing staff. In addition, the Unjani Clinic network of 80 clinics across South Africa provides accessible, affordable and quality healthcare to communities in low-income areas, including the administration of vaccines, and has recorded over 1,7 million patient consultations to date.”
A formal Request for Quotation (RFQ) for the logistics and distribution of vaccines in South Africa has been issued by the National Department of Health, and Imperial is participating in the process, following which it will await an outcome. Imperial is also well positioned to play an active role in the distribution of vaccines in a number of other countries across the continent. Where feasible, it will participate as tender processes are formalised for the distribution of Covid-19 vaccines in its countries of operation in the rest of Africa.
MiX keeps the fleet on track
And, once those vaccines are being rolled out, its entire fleet will run like clockwork – thanks to their partnership with MiX. “Our expertise in fleet telematics and security services adds value to Imperial’s business and is testament to how successful our solutions are at meeting the specific requirements of a leading logistics provider. Together, our advanced artificial intelligence-powered technology solutions present new growth opportunities for both businesses,” explains Gert Pretorius, managing director at MiX Telematics Africa.
MiX Telematics was founded in 1996 and has offices in South Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States, Uganda, Brazil, Mexico, Australia and the United Arab Emirates as well as a network of more than 130 fleet partners worldwide. Its shares are publicly traded on the JSE and on the New York Stock Exchange.
Today MiX Telematics provides fleet and mobile asset management solutions to 750 000 global subscribers spanning more than 120 countries. The company’s products and services provide enterprise fleets, small fleets and consumers with solutions for efficiency, safety, compliance and security.
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