André Bresler is the Managing Director of MDS Logistics Limited. He became the managing director of the company in December, 2020. In this interview with Jennifer Okafor, he speaks about the challenges in the haulage and logistics sector and his plan for the company. Enjoy the excerpts
May we meet you?
Can you give us a short biography of yourself?
I am André Bresler. I would like to describe myself as a man of various strengths and skills. My logistics career spans over two decades. This has led me to specialize in the management of complex multi-national projects.
I have experience in strategic forward-planning; operating within tight financial disciplines imposed by ambitious budgets which I have helped to plan and deliver; methodical administration to deadlines and the application of modern leadership methods (through staff motivation and involvement in both decision-making and target-setting, clarity in communication, and easy personal inter-relations). I do not shy away from challenges.
Tell us your company’s background and line of business?
MDS Logistics Limited was formerly MDS Logistics, a wholly owned subsidiary of UAC of Nigeria Plc (UACN Plc). It is currently a joint partnership with Imperial Logistics of South Africa and UACN Plc as shareholders.
MDS Logistics Limited is a leading provider of integrated supply chain solutions, offering logistics and ancillary services to manufacturers, importers, service providers and wholesale distributors across the nation. With our network of 46 distribution centers in 28 states (174 warehouses) of Nigeria along with our transport assets, we link a controlled number of companies, distributors and customers in key commercial cities.
Where were you working before you joined MDS Logistics?
I was previously the MD of FedEx Express Southern Africa, MD of TNT Express Worldwide Southern Africa, and Vice President of Business Development at DHL Supply Chain in Germany.
What plans do you have for MDS?
Top priority for the coming months will be to drive accountability towards meeting our defined Company goals and objectives; moving our great Company forward, whilst we look at reinventing ourselves and being more relevant. I believe our future shines brighter than ever as we continue in our quest for excellence and greatness.
We are aware that MDS Logistics provides the best pharmaceutical logistics services in the country, does your company have plans to diversify into logistics of other products like FMCG’s and so on?
MDS Logistics is the leading provider of supply chain solutions, across different industry verticals like Consumer, industrial, chemicals and Agro. This already includes the FMCG.
What is your company’s fleet size?
We have a combined fleet size of more than 265 trucks, from 1.5 ton to 30 tons. These assets are made up of own trucks and third party (Joint Venture Partners)
How does your company handle the issue of safety on the roads?
For MDS, it is safety above all and for this reason, we train our Delivery Officers frequently to keep them abreast of safety tips and defensive driving. We carry out daily vehicle inspection as well as routine maintenance of our trucks. We check our vehicles before and after each trip. We have a world class workshop for our trucks and highly skilled technicians in the business. We also partner with the Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC)for campaign programs.
What measures have been put in place by your company to ensure that drivers maintain all safety measures on the roads?
MDS has put in place fantastic measures to ensure safety on the roads. Some of the measures are: Scheduled training and re-training of the Delivery Officers. Ensuring that all accidents/incidents are timely reported, investigated and mitigated accordingly. We carry out road patrol to check mate the activities and behavior of our Delivery Officers (DO) on the road. There is briefing and de-briefing sessions between Fleet Controllers and DOs. Lessons Learnt from all accidents/incidents are developed and communicated to all transport team members especially the DOs. Develop an accident/incident escalation procedure to respond and resolve transport health and safety timely. All drivers and Fleet Managers have been issued a Drivers’ Policy Manual for operational compliance. We also involved in Real time fleet tracking and monitoring and this gives us insight into speeding violations, harsh breaking and acceleration.
Does MDS Logistics plan to diversify into wet cargo i.e. transportation of petroleum products?
This is an area we are currently evaluating to establish prospects, risks and challenges.
What other services do you provide at MDS Logistics apart from logistics services?
MDS service offering includes: Integrated Supply Chain Solutions, Project Logistics, Sales Order Administration, Supply Chain Management, International Freight Management, Freight Forwarding, Lead Logistics Provider, Cold Chain Logistics, Credit Control Administration
What can you say about the transportation industry in Nigeria?
The transport industry in Nigeria is a very vital part of the economy which supports and contributes immensely to the GDP of the nation. The Transportation Industry in Nigeria is fragmented. Although Transport predominantly covers road, rail, water and air modes, I would like to focus on road transport in this interview and the existing situation /challenges that are present in this area.
Currently, dependence on road transport has resulted in a rapid deterioration of the road network, affecting the economy, as goods and services are delayed and high transport costs translate to a high cost of goods and services.
If the other transport modes are fully developed in Nigeria, it will reduce the pressure on roads for the movement of goods while also contributing to a seamless chain of transport activities.
Another challenge is the use of substandard trucks, lack of infrastructure maintenance/upgrade, delay by road traffic officers/ regulators, multiple state(s) levies in transit, insecurity, and so much more. In view of these challenges, you will agree with me that desired results cannot be achieved overnight. However, if reforms are put in place and there are commitments to these changes it will reposition the sector.
