R E G I O N A L FOCUS With branches in South Africa and Namibia, Stuttaford Van Lines has operated in the Southern African market for more than 160 years BIDDULPHS CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER, RYAN GIBBONS SIMPLE STEPS AND SOCIAL CHANGE When we review our choice of shipping lines, hauliers or air carriers, we give extra consideration to those willing to change their habits for the better Like Stuttaford and AGS, Biddulphs has embraced simple initiatives that can go a long way and make a big difference - such as educating employees to print on both sides of a piece of paper. More ambitiously, the firm has retrofitted depots with 5,000- and 10,000-litre tanks, to store rainwater that collects in guttering. In some, we can store 50,000 to 100,000 litres, and use it to wash vehicles or supply water when needed in dry months, says Gibbons. The company has spent heavily on new trucks several new Mercedes Benz Actros 1842s models direct from Germany, with engine technology designed to cut emissions and reduce fuel consumption. A new longdistance combination with trailers can cost upwards of US$250,000. Were investing in ergonomic lightweight designs to make our trailers more aerodynamic, and selecting tyres for maximum longevity. We reduce our carbon footprint by having fewer road trips and more volume, says Gibbons. COVID has left Biddulphs with much to ponder. The pandemic is estimated to have reduced South Africas daily carbon emissions by nearly 20 per cent as the economy shrank. One legacy is that the firm has shown a lot more flexibility towards employees working from home, post-lockdown. Biddulphs has, says Gibbons, embraced social change in South Africa in line with government Black Economic Empowerment requirements. The firm has revised employee policies on violence, harassment and discrimination to ensure our employees are aware of where they can get help, and from whom, if needs be. Our industry has yearly targets and goals to improve workforce gender and designated group imbalances. He agrees that the removals industry is characterised by long hours and heavy lifting, and stereotypically filled by men. However, over the past six years, Biddulphs has increased its number of women employees by 120 per cent. We aim to continue with this, Gibbons says. Moreover, nearly six per cent of our employees in South Africa have a disability were leaders in recruiting the disabled. More than 90 per cent of our middlemanagement team are from previously disadvantaged designated groups. Were constantly planning a better future for employees in how we carry out recruitment and succession. TURMOIL ON THE STREETS: RYAN GIBBONS FRONTLINE VIEW As a business thats been in operation for more than 93 years, we tend to think weve seen it all. However, unprecedented civil insurrection, mainly in the Kwazulu-Natal region, caused disruption to some of our countrywide operations. On 12 July, our Pietermaritzburg branch was looted and burned to the ground including our main warehouse with all our pallets, self-storage units, a fully stocked workshop, change rooms, three trucks, as well as some of our drivers cars. 56 FF303 Sept_Nov 21 pp50-56 Regional Focus southern Africa.indd 56 The next day, our Durban branch was also badly looted and vandalised our main office, warehouse and more than 10 vehicles damaged. The devastation took a toll on hundreds, if not thousands of individuals, businesses and companies alike. It resulted in us flying down special security to take control of our sites again so we could begin rebuilding and retooling. Thankfully, no employees were hurt. Our thoughts go out to clients who suffered some form of loss to their prized possessions. Fortunately, our company has robust insurance cover, besides a comprehensive infrastructure and disastermanagement plan. Two days after the events, assessors evaluated the damage. Wed already sent trucks and teams with IT equipment and vehicle spares to get operations back up and running. Our employees helped to clean up our branches where they could, and were happy to report that, a week later, we were moving people again. WWW. F I D I FOC U S . OR G 14/09/2021 16:26