SOUTH AFRICA – The Rhenus Group, one of the leading globally operating logistics service providers, has expanded its footprint in South Africa by moving its operations to a new facility in Meadowview, Johannesburg.

The R440 million, 28,000 square meter facility includes a 24,500 square meter warehouse and 3,000 square meters of office space, effectively doubling the company’s operational footprint.

The new facility is close to the OR Tambo International Airport and City Deep Container Terminal while remaining within range of current customers and not disrupting staff travel, Rhenus Group said.

Cornell van Rooyen, CEO of Rhenus Warehousing Solutions MEA, said, “The move was driven by growth and the need for increased efficiencies. Our former facility in Long Meadow had high warehouse utilization, and we operated across three separate buildings, limiting future expansion.”

“The decision to consolidate our operations in Johannesburg under one roof has already introduced greater operational efficiency, streamlined workflows and enhancing our ability to scale as we continue to grow in the region.”

By consolidating operations under one roof, Rhenus expects to see efficiency improve significantly with optimized resource utilization.

Capacity has been increased by over 100%, and the introduction of advanced technology and upgraded equipment will further streamline operations and reduce processing times.

Key features in the warehouse include a 1,300 square meter refrigeration area with one section at -20 °C and 100 deep-freeze units situated within the ground-floor racking.

Rhenus noted that this unique feature, not commonly found worldwide, is another first in the South African warehousing space.

The warehouse, with a total capacity of 25,000 industrial-standard pallets, is also the only one in the country fully compliant with storing lithium-ion batteries.

It has 1,600 battery-compatible pallet positions. In addition, the warehouse is designed to cater to high-value cargo and has a 250 square meter secure vault.

South Africa’s agricultural sector is a powerhouse, with its fresh produce industry playing a crucial role in both domestic and international markets.

The country’s diverse climate and advanced farming techniques allow for the cultivation of a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, making it a significant player in the global agricultural arena.

The investment is crucial for South Africa’s export, especially fruits and vegetables, which require special attention and good storage facilities.

According to South Africa’s fresh fruit industry report by Prof. Daniël J. Petzer (Henley Business School Africa), the fresh fruit industry in South Africa is considered the biggest contributor to the agricultural export sector (by value).

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.