Let’s hear it for the ladies! Part 1

The transport and logistics game never used to be populated by members of the fairer sex. However, this has changed. CHARLEEN CLARKE pays tribute to some of the leading ladies in the transport and logistics industry and the trailblazers in supply chain management.

Laurice Burrell – general manager at Rhenus Logistics South Africa

Burrell cut her teeth in the business world in the corporate gift market, where she was involved in the sourcing and branding of corporate gifts. “The import and export of stock required an understanding of global trade that sparked my interest and pushed me to explore more. In 2009, I joined an international freight forwarder in finance, where I was responsible for the reconciling of third-party billings (mainly carriers) with operational costings.”

She joined the logistics industry a mere 12 years ago and now – with effect from September 1, 2021 – Burrell has been appointed GM at Rhenus Logistics South Africa. She’s understandably thrilled and excited at the opportunity. “As GM, I am responsible for all operations at the Rhenus Johannesburg branch, which includes warehousing, air and ocean operations, as well as customs and pricing on a national level and also cross-border movements into Africa,” she tells FOCUS.

She notes that more and more women are working in logistics and freight forwarding. “Women are taking a step out of their comfort zones and challenging the boundaries that have been set for us. If we continue to support, encourage and drive each other, more female talent can rise in our industry. Leaders empower potential leaders. Gender diversity is key to driving competitiveness and productivity, as women see things differently, adding immense value to our solutions,” Burrell says.

She wants to make a difference and add value to everything she’s a part of – whether it be a simple solution for a client or a process the team has managed to make more effective. “Supporting my team and helping them grow as individuals and as logistics experts is another focus for me. To lead from the front and be actively involved is what I want to pass onto my teams.”

And she’d love to see even more women in the logistics/commercial vehicle industry. “I think women have already come a long way in this industry. The value we add is being recognised and I think more women joining the industry will lead to diversification in the various aspects of the industry.”

Ingrid Du Buisson, director – operations development at DHL Express

Du Buisson started her career in the world of logistics in 1995 when she joined the Maritime Industry Training Board as a manager. “My focus at the time was on implementing training and development across the freight forwarding industry specifically, as there was no formal training in South Africa for the industry at the time. In 2000 I joined the Transport Education Training Authority (TETA), as the Maritime Industry Training Board was amalgamated with various other transport-related training boards as required by the Skills Development Act of 1998, and which then gave rise to the establishment of the TETA. Initially, I was appointed as an education training development practitioner at the TETA, working specifically in the forwarding and clearing sector,” she says.

She spent 21 years with the TETA, where she was ultimately appointed executive officer: forwarding and clearing sub-sector. In February 2021, she joined DHL Express ZA. She says: “It certainly is great to be part of such a global company, and to practise what I had developed over the years. Now that I have crossed over to the private corporate sector and I am applying my knowledge and expertise in such a global company such as DHL Express ZA, I’m happy to say that it is broadening my mind and exposing me to operations on a global scale rather than just local. My ultimate aim is to achieve a global reach in training and developing people by coming up with innovative strategies and ideas to take the industry forward.”

Du Buisson says the transport industry has changed a great deal over the last 25 years. “In the broader transport industry, I believe that women are making inroads into leadership positions. Twenty years ago, this sector was very much a male-dominated industry and one that was difficult for women to access. I have seen more women embark on transport-related diplomas and degrees over the years, and I’ve monitored their development and progress within industry. In my opinion, we need more women across the entire transport sector.”