Damco IPL award

James Hammond accepting the Award on behalf of Damco Reefer South Africa from Jason Kelly

Damco Reefer South Africa has been presented with the Best Clearing Agent of the Year 2010 Award at the inaugural International Produce Limited Logistics conference, which took place in Leeds, UK earlier this week.

The award was handed to the logistics group in recognition of the work that Damco Reefer South Africa, in conjunction with its UK-based colleagues, have put in to provide reefer logistics services for International Produce Ltd (IPL).

IPL is a wholly owned entity of Asda Wal-Mart, one of the UK's leading supermarkets and sourcing produce from across the globe, of which IPL manages a number of categories on its behalf such as topfruit, melons, stonefruit, grapes, citrus, salads, bananas and exotics.

'Damco South Africa were chosen as winner of this a`ward for their proactive approach to managing the IPL business,' said Jason Kelly, operational at IPL. 'Damco not only displayed a really keen approach to communication back in the UK head office, but also engaged in innovation at a strategic level.

'IPL felt Damco's recent investment in managers with reefer specialist knowledge showed its commitment to category and to IPL,' Mr Kelly added.

The long-term partnership with IPL was constructed by offering value-adding, flexible and customised solutions and dedicated industry specialists, Damco said.

'Damco is very honoured to be named as IPL's Best Clearing Agent for 2010,' said Dawie Kok, general manager for reefers in South Africa. 'Receiving such an award is very motivating and highlights Damco's dedication to service delivery and our passion for customers. Damco is committed to developing our relationship with IPL and strives to support IPL even further on strategic logistics initiatives.'