Business North September 2020

| 65 Volume 19 | Issue 3 businessnorth TRANSPORT » Cargo Plus Focusing on flexibility Cargo Plus provides reliable and competitively priced container and curtainsider transport and storage solutions to New Zealand importers, exporters and manufacturers. Karen Phelps Giving a second chance C ovid-19 has proved to have a silver lining for Auckland company Cargo Plus. The downtime during lockdown was put to good use to enhance efficiencies and provide an even bet- ter customer service, says company director Rob Mills. Now productivity has improved, which means greater capacity to service customers. “Covid-19 really gave us the push to look at how we were doing things and how we could improve,” says Rob. “Customer services has always been a big focus but as we had grown and got busier we had found this had led to less flexibility. Being highly flexible and solution-focused with a total commitment to our customers’ satisfaction sets us apart from the rest. We have now returned to our roots of providing innovative solutions for our customers no matter what they might ask of us.” Rob and brother Carl started Cargo Plus in 2014 and since that time the company has grown rapidly. Cargo Plus provides reliable and competitively priced container and curtainsider transport and storage solutions to New Zealand importers, export- ers and manufacturers. More recently it has added a freight delivery service around Auckland, which is proving popular. “Basically we can now offer a port-to-door ser- vice whereas before we picked up their container and unloaded it at our facility and the customer then had to organise delivery to their customers. It’s made it so much easier for them and has been really positively received by our customers.” Rob and Carl bring decades of industry experi- ence to the business. Rob has worked in the industry for around 25 years and Carl, an ex-police officer, entered the industry in 2007. They first went into business together around 15 years ago before starting Cargo Plus. Rob says their skills comple- ment each other and this has been a key aspect of the success of the business. Rob takes an opera- tions role and Carl takes charge of sales, marketing and business development. Rob says Cargo Plus aims to take the hassle out of container logistics for its customers offering modern, secure transport and storage facilities ensuring cargo is in safe hands at all times. Cargo Plus customers deal with a small, hands- on team of experienced and qualified people, who are dedicated to providing a fast and efficient ser- vice. Rob and Carl are also available for customers to contact direct if need be. The company’s proactive approach to commu- nication is backed up by state-of-the-art tracking technology to keep customers informed about the location and status of their shipment 24/7. Cargo Plus operates from a conveniently located site at Wiri and services include container transport, devanning, warehousing, storage and freight deliv- ery. Rob says that despite the challenge of the cur- rent market he sees good potential for the future: “We’re looking forward to the coming years and see some good opportunities. We will have an open door policy and always be here to help our customers.” Auckland company 4TEN Devanning is not just a business. It’s a socially conscious enterprise creating a win- win for all involved. Owner Malcolm Fata established the business in 2018 aiming to start a successful company that provided opportunities, training and work experience for second chance employees, especially those who were struggling to reconnect back into workforce. 4TEN Devanning acts like a recruitment agency, providing workers for cartage, devanning and warehousing services. Sometimes 4TEN Devanning merely provides trained and experienced workers to assist a company at a busy time with loading or unloading containers, forklift driving or as general warehouse workers. Other times 4TEN Devanning becomes a permanent contractor for such services. Malcolm says 4TEN Devanning gives companies exibility and instant access to a pool of experienced employees, as they need them. Many 4TEN Devanning staff offer many years of experience and this is used to train up new recruits by working alongside Urban Hope Weavers with the support of Global Hope Missions, which starts social enterprises so people can create sustainable income for themselves and their families. It also acts a bridge to help young people involved in the justice system connect back to society and the workforce. At a young age Malcolm experienced a similar programme that helped him gain knowledge and vast experience in the warehouse industry and rekindled a passion to help others. 4TEN Devanning already employs a team of around 12 including fully quali ed forklift operators and accredited persons who are MPI certi ed to inspect containers, supervise their unpacking and contain any biosecurity risks. Malcolm credits owner of Cargo Plus, Rob Mills, as being an important part of his company’s success. Malcolm previously worked for Cargo Plus when he had the idea to start 4TEN Devanning and Rob has acted as a mentor for his successful busines s. Malcolm’s plan is to eventually roll the concept out New Zealand wide, targeting at risk communities who need a helping hand into the workforce and a better future. FROM THE CONTAINER DOOR, TO THE CONTAINER WALL AND INTO YOUR CROSS STOCK / STAGING AREA—4TEN DEVANNING HAVE GOT YOU COVERED. GET IN TOUCH WITH OUR TEAM TODAY TO LEARN HOWWE CAN HELP YOU! , . TO LEARN HOWWE CAN HELP YOU! 022 101 4114 admin@fourtendevanning.co.nz 4TENDevanning i i . . i