Sastri Rapiti, owner of Kwa-Zulu Natal-based Orlens Transport, credits DAF Trucks and Babcock for playing a fundamental role in their highly successful logistics operation, one that has experienced an intensive increase in turnover in just over five years.
Orlens started operating with a couple of second-hand DAF trucks, which quickly increased until 90% of his fleet was made up of DAF units. As they were servicing sub-Saharan Africa, new units were purchased on a regular basis to keep up with the growing operations.
Mark Gavin, sales director of transport solutions for Babcock, says that the beauty of DAF Trucks lies in their outstanding and uncompromised quality that is then customised to ideally suit African environmental and road conditions.
“The fact that DAF Trucks are built in Europe and designed for Africa is a major drawcard for Babcock and our customers,” says Gavin.
“Babcock has established an excellent, mutually beneficial relationship with Rapiti and Orlens Transport, who continue to be loyal to Babcock and the DAF brand name. In fact, every DAF truck purchased by the company since its inception is still in operation; a testament to DAF’s precise standards of European engineering.”
“Although there are bigger, more established truck brands available in South Africa, you are just a number, whereas with Babcock you get personal service. If you have a problem, you can call Mark or one of the salespeople and they will immediately try to help you, instead of having to contact a call centre for assistance,” says Rapiti.
As a result of perseverance, hard work and hands-on involvement from Rapiti, Orlens Transport has built up long-term contracts with a number of blue chip customers in the packaging, beverages and other transport sectors, and operates throughout sub-Saharan Africa, proudly carrying the DAF banner in the process.
