HELDERBERG LOGISTICS
What does your company do?
HBL is a private family-owned company driven by a passion for trucks. The core function of HBL is road freight and logistics, which includes the transport of a wide variety of products throughout SA and neighbouring countries. We specialize in 34 - 36 ton Tautliner loads as well as breakbulk (2-6 pallets) and 6- or 12-meter loads. We've recently also diversified to the transport of bulk agricultural products by purchasing Side Tippers.
HBL consists of 2 divisions: a) HBL FLEET - consisting of our own HBL branded trucks ( Tautliners & Side-Tippers ), and b) BROKING - a registered database of dedicated sub-contractors where HBL facilitate the loads between our customers and carriers.
What is your biggest success?
"Your satisfaction is our Motivation" is our motto and driving force. HBL not only survived the COVID pandemic after taking a big financial dip, but has grown from a brokearage only ( 2015 - 2020 ) to purchasing our own first 2 Superlink Tautliners in 2021. Currently our fleet consists of 5 trucks acquired between 2021 - 2023. We got approved for the 6th truck which we receive end May 2024 as well as an additional Tautliner trailer which we will be renting to dedicated sub-contractors. By purchasing and growing our own fleet and minimizing the use of other carriers we grew the profit margin from ± 7% to ± 53 %. Our client base also grew from mostly other brokers and logistic companies to 80% direct clients, the personnel grew from 2 to 10 and moving from homebased offices to a rented premise with offices and warehouse facilities enabling HBL to broaded their services.
For me personally the biggest success is my dedicated team and drivers who pride themselves in what they do as trucks are our passion !
What has been your biggest hurdle?
Growing a business as a women owner in a male dominant industry especially in the in the challenging SA economic environment with high interest rates, high fuel price and riots against trucks and truck drivers.
The biggest struggle is day-to-day working capital as well as cashflow for the deposits when purchasing trucks or trailers of which the banks see as a huge risk.
