The Laser Group
The Laser Group (Pty) Limited (Laser) is a proudly South African, solutions-based, customer centric and partnership orientate logistics group with an unrivaled network and fulfilment capacity. Laser operates through three trading subsidiaries: Laser Logistics (Pty) Ltd, DPD Laser Express Logistics (Pty) Ltd and GAC Laser International Logistics (Pty) Ltd.
Laser is one of the largest independent logistics businesses in South Africa, and is involved in supply chain fulfilment in almost every industry. A specialist in logistics for more than 39 years, its leading international partners GeoPost and Gulf Agency Company provide Laser with an extensive international network, linking more than 230 countries worldwide.
- One of the largest independent logistics businesses in South Africa
- More than 39 years experience
- Leading international partners - GeoPost and GAC
- Extensive international network, linking more than 230 countries worldwide
- Largest footprint in South Africa
- More than 2300 employees
- Operates more than 700 vehicles
The Laser Group is a privately owned and was incorporated in South Africa in 1971 and listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange under the transport sector for 17 years from 1986. In March 2003, a consortium of management led by Michael Fuller (The Laser Group Ltd CEO) acquired the business and delisted the group.
The Laser Group offers the following services:
- Warehousing & Distribution: Contractual distribution, warehousing and inventory management.
- Cold Chain: Refridgerated Distribution
- Road Express: Express door to door collection and delivery service nationally.
- Clearing & Forwarding: Facilitating international trade, clearing & forwarding services and customs brokerage.
- Specialist Services: Haulage, cross-border & broking services.
Warehousing & Distribution
Laser Warehousing & Distribution
Contracted freight
Laser Warehousing & Distribution, formerly Lasertrans, provides specialised contractual warehousing and distribution services. It commenced business in 1988 as a linehaul operation and in the late 1990s it repositioned itself as a warehouse management and distribution services business. The division specialises currently in appliance and electronic equipment distribution.
Significant investments have been made over the last two years in expanding the division's warehousing offering nationally. The warehousing capacity of 25,000 m² is geographically located in Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, East London, Durban and Johannesburg.
In addition to its own facilities, the division manages another 25,000 m² of warehousing facilities on behalf of its clients on an outsourced basis.
The current distribution configuration operates trucking vehicles between the main centres complemented by regional distribution fleets. The division's capacity to service customers nationally is further complimented by the integration with Time Freight's extensive geographic footprint.
The division has a staff complement of 100 people and a vehicle complement of 46.
Cold Chain
Laser Cold Chain
Refridgerated Distribution
Laser Cold Chain Distribution (LCCD), formerly Mainline Carriers, provides specialised refrigerated distribution on a trucking and regional distribution basis.
Mainline Carriers operated as the leading national refrigerated carrier for a number of years. During the 1990's the business was restructured and rebranded as Laser Cold Chain Distribution. For the last six years the division has been responsible for the complete retail distribution in the Western Cape of County Fair Foods, a subsidiary of the Astral Group, a company listed on the JSE.
Whilst the retail distribution has been outsourced to LCCD the business operates on a fully integrated basis with the systems, staff and processes of County Fair Foods. Through such integration of processes LCCD is able to add value to a customers operations on an ongoing basis as a business partner.
LCCD has won a 10-year contract to expand its services within County Fair Foods. This new contract enables LCCD to link the trucking and retail distribution operations thereby improving the efficiencies of County Fair's supply chain.
The existing retail distribution contract has been extended to ten years to match the trucking contract.
LCCD is now well positioned to take advantage of both retail and long distance opportunities. The division has a staff complement of 103 people and a vehicle complement of 30.
Road Express
TimeFreight
Express freight at the right rate
Time Freight/Goeie Hoop Vervoer is one of South Africa's leading road express businesses providing a comprehensive road network for rapid collections and delivery throughout South Africa. Time Freight was started by Ivor Keppler as a Kwazulu Natal road-based operator in 1984. The business was expanded in 1991 to incorporate Gauteng and the Northern Provinces. In 1999 the business was acquired by The Laser Group and with the amalgamation of Goeie Hoop Vervoer (a Western/Northern Cape operator) in April 2002, the division became a national road express operator.
All major SA cities are accessed on an overnight basis by the provision of cost effective road services, provided on a door-to-door basis. The company specialises in the express distribution of products and is configured to accommodate mixed loads.
The business' head office is in Pietermaritzburg with major hubs in all main centres.
Clearing and Forwarding
GAC Laser
Express freight at the right rate
Laser International Logistics is one of South Africa's leading independent clearing and forwarding companies specialising in facilitating international trade in imports and exports, air and sea. Value-add support services include warehousing, transport broking, project management, administration, documentation preparation and risk management of product through Customs formalities.
Docks Shipping commenced trading in the late 1920's and has for many years been recognised as the leading clearing agent in the textile movement. In 1999 Dock Shipping was acquired by The Laser Group. During 2001, Laser also acquired Project Freight (Natal), a clearing agent based in Durban and Johannesburg. The businesses have been merged as Laser International Logistics, the clearing and forwarding division of The Laser Group.
Significant Investments have been made in the warehousing operations with 25 000 sq metres available nationally. Warehousing services include value-add packing, palletising, labelling of product and specialised cargo handling.
Laser International's client base includes blue chip customers operating in a multitude of industries including inter alia: textiles, timber, aluminium and steel, citrus, photographic equipment and appliances.
Laser International has offices in each of South Africa's major ports (Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town). The South African operations are complemented through the established international agency network. The divisions managing directors are John Kershaw and Carol Holland and both have been in the forwarding industry for many years. Both executives are recognised as leading experts in South Africa and have a “hands on” roll in the daily activities of the business.
Specialist Services
Laser Haulage & Cross Border
As part of Laser's strategy to provide integrated logistics solutions to its customers, a specialist division trading as Laser Haulage & Cross Border (Laser H & CB) was established two years ago.
The demand for the services originated from our existing customers that were requiring bulk distribution nationally and across border into the South African Development Community (SADC).
Strategically, the Group decided to enter this market through the establishment of a broking division based in Johannesburg. Over the last two years, the division has grown and expanded its operations. The initial activity of servicing existing customers has now been expanded to a fully-fledged transport broking operation.
With the consistency of load volumes now established, Laser H & CB has invested in a number of long distance haul liner rigs. It is anticipated that this new venture will improve the service to existing customers. Consideration will be given during the forth-coming year to further expansion prospects.
Laser's current range of services supports its desire to “create partnerships with its customers in logistics support services”.
Each division within the group is managed by a shareholder.
