An astonishing variety of fresh and live produce - from seafood to ostrich chicks - leaves George Airport every week of the year for destinations around the world. The complex logistics are handled by Grindrod PCA, cargo agents at the airport since 1984.
" We'll ship anything anywhere at any time," says branch manager Cobus Vos, and a look at the export list confirms just that. In the last year Grindrod PCA at George have shipped herbs to Switzerland, fresh cut ferns to Germany, goats to Saudi Arabia, proteas to Holland, ostrich eggs to Brazil and ostrich chicks to Middle and Far East.

The company offers exporters an entire package, which includes such specialised services as:
o Packing and packaging materials
o Export and import documentation
o Cooling chambers
o Live animal handling
o Forwarding and clearing
o Health inspections
o Dangerous goods handling.
o Heating, cooling and storage

A highly specialised area undertaken by Grindrod is the flourishing trade into Africa, totalling nearly R30-billion a year, with trade into sub-Saharan Africa doubling annually.
The profile of shipments into Africa is very different from other markets. Typically, a variety of items are consolidated into a single shipment. Commodities may range from primary products to industrial items and consumer goods, many of them of a perishable nature such as foodstuffs and pharmaceuticals. When consolidating different types of cargo, it is critical to be aware of which commodities are compatible and which bear the risk of contamination. It is also important to protect shipments from damage or pilferage.
Where foodstuffs are concerned, the Africa Division offers a specialist packing service. Packing materials include polystyrene-lined cartons for insulating refrigerated cargo in transit, dry ice and Heb coolers. Various sizes of cartons are available unmarked to minimise the risk of pilferage. Typical consignments include insulated cartons of chilled meat, refrigerated vegetables, cold drinks, canned goods and other grocery or household items consolidated into pallet loads for security in transit.
International markets are demanding, discerning and highly sophisticated. Quality of product and service are non-negotiable. Since buyers have a wealth of suppliers to choose from consistency and reliability are the key to sustained business.
This means it is absolutely critical that goods arrive in perfect condition, at the right temperature, on time, every time.
Some exporters used to adopt a do-it-yourself approach in the belief that this saves costs. In fact costs and risks increase. Moreover, overall productivity may decline through loss of focus.
The strength of airlines lies in their airport-to-airport operations, though some extend into land-based services. The trouble is, should a flight be delayed for technical reasons, should cargo space be full or take-off weight restricted in hot weather, directly booked exports may be left to wither on the tarmac.
As Grindrod PCA operates airport-based facilities, goods remain in cold storage until ready for loading onto an aircraft, which means one link fewer in the chain. Grindrod PCA always has someone on duty until the last aircraft leaves and is a member of a global network, GPLG, which means that in the events of difficulties with customs or transporters, it has staff on the ground to handle them.

Excess baggage presents no headache

Don't let excess baggage spoil your stay in the Southern Cape. Grindrod PCA at the George Airport will airfreight it for you to any destination in the world or in South Africa. Grindrod PCA also offers a packing service and packing materials and will do all the necessary documentation for you. So go right ahead and indulge yourself in the many unique curios and artifacts the region has to offer right down to a golf bag made from ostrich leather for the serious enthusiast. They come in funky fashion colours and are a snip at R24 000!