In the constant search for additional value and competitive advantage for their customers, Cargo Carriers decided to re-evaluate their business processes and strategies within the sugar industry. The results of their research included the decision to adopt a new and innovative trailer design with larger capacity bins.

These designs have replaced the previous system where five smaller eight ton capacity bins were taken to the loading zone on a truck, individually trans-loaded onto a tractor drawn trailer, and were then taken infield for loading. Once all bins were fully loaded, they were transferred onto a transport vehicle using heavy duty forklifts, for onward delivery to the mill. At the mill, offloading proved to be uneconomical and time consuming, as only one bin could be handled using the Carneco system. Delays in turn-around times made the operation inefficient, time consuming and costly.

The new trailer design alleviates double handling, improves the constant throughput of daily rateable deliveries into the mill and reduces costs all round.

Nine custom designed rigs, purpose built to suit the Cargo Carriers operations in Swaziland, are now successfully operational. These trailers are interchangeable to any position within the train. The trailers are also fitted with slideable axle units (bogies) which ensure that the mass distribution is kept within specification. In addition, this assists with infield turning, thus protecting crops and irrigation equipment, when entering or leaving the field. High flotation tyres have been fitted to all the trailers in order to meet ground pressure specifications, resulting in a reduction in possible field compaction and potential future crop damage.

Tractor drawn system.		Cargo Carriers' new trailer design has replaced the old-tractor drawn trailer system.

Individual trailers are taken into the field by tractor and a purpose built "dolly" (height adjustable hitching 5th wheel mounted on two axles). Once loaded, the trailers are coupled at the loading site to form a train of three, providing a payload of 51 tons. This is a substantial increase from the previous payload of 40 tons.

With the new trailer design, apart from higher payloads being achieved, less equipment both infield, field side and within the mill yard is required, therefore less capital outlay and reduced cost to the mill.

Additional supply chain strategies include a conversion from a "push" to a "pull" strategy for loads into the mills, and a change in the haulage process from a mixture of bin / spiller deliveries to an all-spiller process. The conversion from a bin process to a spiller process allows for higher tonnages to be handled by the mill offloading system, resulting in time and money saved.

"Cargo Carriers, together with the mill, had to dig deep to improve on previous systems. It was a steep learning curve for us and we have all benefited from the expertise gained. More than this, for us and the mill there are also great increases in operational efficiency, as well as substantial cost benefits," says Cargo Carriers Solutions General Manager Johan Myburgh.

About Cargo Carriers:
Cargo Carriers is a JSE-Listed specialised transportation, supply chain and logistics service provider. They provide a full suite of transportation solutions in industry verticals, namely sugar, steel, powders, fuel and chemicals, which are backed up by an extensive national and cross-border infrastructure, industry expertise and best of breed software.

The new design reduces costs by alleviating double handling and improving delivery throughput, bringing with it a host of other benefits.