06 Dec 2012 Call to SMME food exporters in SA: Let’s work together

Every food entrepreneur involved in exporting temperature-sensitive products surely shares this challenge: the cost of exporting ‘less than container loads (LCLs)’. Paul Walters of KZN’s Wedgewood Nougat is starting a project to try and get small food manufacturers to work together towards consolidating refrigerated containers into key global markets. Here’s his call for interest.

Smaller scale exporters of temperature-sensitive food products are at a severe disadvantage in the global food industry, explains Paul, as no freight company offers LCL shipments in refrigerated containers and airfreight is too costly to be sustainable.

“So my idea is to look at partnering with other South African or KZN food exporters and to consolidate our product into 40’ refrigerated containers to key destinations around the globe,’ he says.

“I am happy to drive this project and share my list of existing export agents and potential new agents with other SMME food-manufacturers around SA. Co-operation can solve this problem. It means sharing markets and shipping dates. I think it could work if we get the right manufacturers on board.”

Walters will also offer a consolidation service either free of charge or at a nominal cost.

He adds that he’s motivated his case to the DTI with some positive feedback, and is confident that provincial government bodies such as TIKZN are also likely to assist with funding.

“If it’s to succeed, an important aspect of the project would be encouraging more demand for our products. This would involve bringing in relevant import and distribution companies on inbound missions from key export markets to our local food shows, take them on factory visits and so on, and then offer them the opportunity to consolidate reefer containers for their orders.”

For more details and information, contact Paul Walters, Marketing & Sales Director, Wedgewood Nougat,  C: 082 375-9252,  [email protected]