LOGISTICS RESEARCH RESULTS QUESTION SA’S ECONOMIC GATEWAY TO AFRICA STATUS

(02 March 2012, Johannesburg) Barloworld Logistics, one of southern Africa’s leading logistics and supply chain management experts released the results of its much anticipated research survey - supplychainforesight 2012 – which provided invaluable insight into the reality of South Africa’s so-called position as the trading and logistics gateway into Africa.

“The research highlighted that South African companies need to understand the threats and opportunities present for industry and the national supply chain in other African markets,” said Kate Stubbs, Barloworld Logistics Marketing Executive at the function.

Stubbs noted that the research showed clearly a shift in global economic power towards emerging market economies. “This shift should present South African business with a major opportunity to capture market share. Companies should be embracing emerging market economies as trading partners and as new markets – and this is especially so of the African continent, where South Africa has for so long been seen as the trading and logistics gateway into Africa. That position is now under threat from other African countries like Nigeria, Egypt and other South African trade corridors such as the Maputo corridor.”

This year’s ninth edition of the research report goes by the title: South Africa Inc: Growth, Competitiveness and the Africa Question. So apart from assessing South Africa in relation to Africa, the report provides a more comprehensive view than in previous years on both business and supply chain short-term and medium-term objectives and constraints on South African companies.

supplychainforesight 2012 assesses the competiveness of both individual companies and the industries they are in. “We are hence provided with a clearer picture of the threats and opportunities faced by South Africa as a nation competing in global supply chains with other nations. This section of the report includes answers on issues such as industry competitiveness in an international landscape, and growth prospects given South Africa’s current infrastructure constraints,” Stubbs said.

supplychainforesight 2012 addresses the following key questions:

  • How do we use our supply chains to remain profitable and competitive in a world stricken by economic slowdown, rising unemployment and high levels of debt?
  • How is your company and your industry dealing with the changing economic landscape with which we are faced?
  • In response to the shift in global economic power towards major emerging markets, how is your company leveraging the opportunities in Africa?

supplychainforesight is an independent study that has been sponsored by Barloworld Logistics since 2002 and is conducted by international research specialists, Frost & Sullivan. This qualitative study is used by South African business for insights into supply chain trends and strategic planning. Perceptions of Chief Executives, Managing Directors, General Managers, Supply Chain and Logistics Directors / Managers were gathered and assessed.

The study’s detailed results, which also include more information on how industries are organising themselves for competitiveness and growth, are published in full on the Barloworld Logistics website ( and on the dedicated research website, To find out more and to download previous reports and other resources, consult either of these sites.

ENDS

About Barloworld Logistics:

Over 70% of potential savings and service enhancements in a supply chain come from the re-engineering and integration of logistics processes. Barloworld Logistics is South Africa's leading integrated logistics and supply chain management company, and a fast-growing global player. They create strategic advantage for their clients by optimising and integrating the client's logistics processes and information flows, thereby radically reducing their costs and increasing their service levels. Log onto for more information

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