3PL news: Dachser USA expands into South Africa

Global 3PL Dachser said that its U.S.-based subsidiary Dachser USA has expanded its global network with the addition of branch offices in South Africa.

The new offices are located in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.  They will provide shippers with import and export services via ocean and air to and from Europe, Asia, and South America.

Dachser officials also said that Jonen Freight, a South Africa-based freight forwarder that was established in 1979 whom launched a joint venture with Dachser in 2011, is now part of the Dachser network and has been renamed as Dachser South Africa (Pty.) Ltd.

“The new name reflects full integration of the company into the Dachser network, through which we link South Africa with the world’s major economic centers,” said Thomas Reuter, managing director of Dachser Air & Sea Logistics, in a statement, adding that the first operating year of the joint venture demonstrated the need for global shippers to have better market access in South Africa.

The former Jonen Freight provides shippers with air and sea freight services, as well as customs clearance, warehousing and distribution.

This South Africa expansion is the latest part of Dachser’s expansion strategy.

In a recent interview with LM, Dachser USA President and CEO Frank Guenzerodt said the $5 billion global 3PL is highly committed to gaining traction in the U.S., explaining how it has grown from $11 million in U.S. profits in 2004 to roughly $120 million today and is highly focused on increasing its U.S. market share and gaining more U.S.-based shippers as core customers.

“The U.S. by far is still the world’s largest economy and a top one or two trading partner for every country we expand into, so we need to have the critical mass and size to support our growing business there and in turn become bigger in the U.S. to be able to acquire and go after large customers,” said Guenzerodt. “This is why we need to continue to invest and grow in North America and the U.S. market.”