Moving South Africa forward – together

Cargo Carriers helps develop a world-class South African transport industry.

With October Transport month behind us, specialised transport provider Cargo Carriers recognises the important role
that the larger transport industry has to play in growing the country’s economy
and thereby helping to address unemployment and inequality.

Importantly, it also emphasises the need to establish robust partnerships between the private and public sectors to develop a world-class transportation, logistics and supply chain industry in the country.

Cargo Carriers continues to demonstrate its commitment to promoting excellence in the industry and setting the standard by which the quality of transportation, logistics and supply chain services is measured.

The many awards and accolades the Cargo Carriers has received bear testament to the success of the company’s significant investment into research and development. An outcome of this programme includes patented trailers that have been designed for specialist haulage operations. These trailers have reduced fuel burn and lowered the overall carbon footprint of the large transport and logistics component of business.

Meanwhile, the use of intelligent telematics has streamlined fleet management and improved flexibility on contracts. The power of the internet is also being harnessed to bolster supply chain efficiencies.

This calculated and strategic approach has ensured that Cargo Carriers has remained the first point of contact for an integrated transport logistics solution for participants operating in a variety of specialist industries.

The company was founded by Des Bolton in 1956 and listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in 1987.

While a listed company, Bolton’s key traits and values are still very much engrained in the company’s DNA. They are evident in Cargo Carriers’ unrelenting commitment to the highest standards of corporate governance and ethics, as well as its strict adherence to internationally recognised standards for quality and environmental stewardship.

Cargo Carriers is acknowledged by several industry regulatory accreditation bodies, including Dekra, a global custodian of safety and quality standards for companies specialising in technology, environment and mobility.

The company is also a signatory to the Responsible Care programme of the Chemical Allied Industry Association, which promotes the safe handling and transportation of hazardous substances.

These initiatives are also in line with government’s own drive to significantly improve safety levels in the local transport industry, as well as with the Cargo Way which, in addition to championing strong values and work ethics, places immense credence on health and safety.

This culture spans the boardroom and various branches and is also evident in the behaviour of the many drivers tasked with safely hauling product and materials, including hazardous substances.

High health and safety standards are ensured by bi-annual internal OHSAS 18001 compliance checks, as well as annual external 0HSAS 18001 and bi-annual SQAS assessments.

They are augmented by regular Road Safety Management System Compliance audits conducted by clients, as well as annual health inspections of drivers to ensure they are fit to perform their duties safely.

In addition to being a large employer, Cargo Carriers continues to invest heavily into skills development and training programmes for employees. These initiatives are complemented by employee-share ownership programmes, such as Ikamvalethu and WomenCo.

Ikamvalethu has ensured employees enjoy meaningful participation in the economy, while creating a culture of ownership by allowing them to share in the future success of the business.

In a further development, WomenCo was launched earlier this year by the board of Ezethu Logistics, a subsidiary of Cargo Carriers, to bolster initiatives geared at transformation.

This new investment vehicle affords eligible woman employees (of both the parent company and its subsidiary) the opportunity to acquire a majority share in Ezethu Logistics.

Both initiatives complement Cargo Carriers’ dedication to transformation, demonstrated by its own robust Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) credentials.