Swift Freight Acquired

Warren Erfmann, the former CEO of Barloworld Logistics Middle East & Asia, is pleased to announce his acquisition of the Swift Freight Group of Companies from Barloworld Logistics (BWL).

Effective 1 March 2011, Erfmann acquired 100% of Swift’s global operations, except for the Dubai office, where he has acquired approximately 70% of the freight forwarding division – that which deals with Africa. As a result of the split in operations in Dubai and in terms of the acquisition, the name Swift Freight International LLC will cease to exist and BWL has renamed the non Africa portion of the business that they have retained, to Barloworld Logistics LLC. The 70% of the Dubai operations that Erfmann has acquired will now trade under the name Swift Freight LLC .“ (without the ‘International’).

Swift Freight in Dubai, under the leadership of Erfmann, will continue to operate from the same 4 premises they have been for the last 4-5 years, and all the business, assets and approximately 150 staff members have already been transferred from BWL. This is in addition to the other offices and 250 staff members that are located in India, Africa and China. “The transfer happened smoothly” commented Erfmann, “with minimal impact on our customers, who can continue to expect the exceptional service from the same people that they have become accustomed to since 1989, when Swift first started.”

South African born Erfmann, commenced his career in the freight industry in 1989 and at the age of 24, in 1994, co-founded Z.A. Trans, a South African logistics company which grew from a two-man operation to one of the leading logistics companies in South Africa, with a staff compliment of over 200 employees. In 2004, BWL acquired ZA Trans and Erfmann became a director of BWL (focusing on international acquisitions) and later, Chief Executive Officer of Barloworld Logistics Middle East & Asia. As a result, Erfmann has been based in Dubai for the last three years and has gained an intimate knowledge of Swift Freight, and a solid understanding of conducting business in the Gulf region as well as Africa.

When commenting on the acquisition, Erfmann said, “It is not often that an opportunity like this comes along, and for me to personally acquire Swift Freight, was something I was not going to miss out on.”

Erfmann elaborated, “Swift, which was started in 1989 by Issa Baluch, is well known in the industry and from the very beginning, made Africa an important part of its strategy! When others were too scared to venture into Africa, Swift made the continent its home! This strategy, started almost 22 years ago, is now being followed by many of our competitors!

Issa’s pioneering spirit is still imbedded in the company today, and we are fortunate to have the benefit of his immense wisdom and experience in these markets, as he still serves on Swift’s Advisory Board”.

Swift’s India and China offices were started many years ago to take advantage of the burgeoning trade between each other and Africa, and this strategy too is paying handsome dividends, with enormous opportunities for growth on these trade lanes.

“We are in the ‘sweet spots’ of the emerging markets” comments Erfmann, “with 22 offices in Africa, 3 in India, 6 in Hong Kong/China and 4 in the UAE! All the products and brands that Swift have created over the years, are also part of the deal “ he added, saying that it was “these Africa centric products like SAM (Sea-Air Model), SPL (Swift Perishable Logistics) and SURELINES (NVOCC) that had helped Swift become the leading forwarder to, and in Africa”

“The future is bright” says Erfmann, “the company has ambitious growth plans and will be opening new offices in new geographies in the not to distant future. Our ability to move quickly will hold us in good stead. Over and above new opportunities, our development in Dubai will grow from strength to strength as we also start focussing on non Africa trade lanes. In this regard, and by maintaining our memberships with the various network associations that we have belonged to for years, we are extremely lucky to be represented by some of the best agents in countries where we do not have our own offices, and it is with these partners that we will develop our global footprint in the future.”