Sifax Haulage Logistics Limited, a subsidiary of Sifax Group has acquired 20 new haulage trucks at the sum of N1billion in order to boost its existing fleet of trucks and up its stake in the haulage business.
At a brief ceremony to officially commission the trucks at the Sifax Bonded Terminal, Okota in Lagos yesterday, the General Manager of Sifax Haulage and Logistics, Mr Adewale Adetayo said the 20 new trucks brings the total number of trucks in the fleet to 75.
According to him, the positive impact of this investment is that it would increase revenue generation, reduction in service breakdown, increased turnaround time and a more-satisfied clientele base.
He said that the acquisition couldn’t have come at a better time as the company is currently experiencing various challenges in the discharge of its duties, especially that of inadequate equipment.
According to him, "the business is growing by the day as different discerning clients are signing deals with us due to the quality of our customer-focused service, consignment transfer and nationwide delivery-executed by well-motivated workforce".
"This phenomenal growth has put us under pressure and we are glad today that these new trucks will help in fulfilling our brand promise as we scale up our capacity to meet our clients’ needs", he added.
Describing features of the new trucks, Adetayo said the trucks are divided into two categories; two-by-four single axle, and four-by-six double axel. They are 420 horsepower rating, which gives advantage to pull dead weights.
"The trucks are brand new European trucks with 420 HP rating. 10 of them are '6 by 4’ double axles. Management has equally invested heavily on procurement of 10 triaxle flatbeds with 48 tonnage capacity to compliment the pulling strength of the earlier mentioned trucks. By implication, we are now positioned to compete favourably in this heavily competitive industry”, he explained.
He said that the vehicles have been installed with video tracking devices that will enable the company monitor their movements centrally from the office and other remote devices.
He however warned the drivers to desist from using the trucks for unofficial purposes such as diversion, loading of unauthorized goods and persons, selling off AGO, batteries, tyres and other ancillary items.
Also speaking at the ceremony, Group Executive Vice Chairman of Sifax Group, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi represented by Barr Ezekiel Ajewole commended Sifax Haulage for standing the test of time, saying that similar business owned by other private individuals have folded up due to bad management.
"A lot of people have gone into haulage business and have since folded up but Sifax haulage is still standing, congratulations to the haulage GM since he came in, the haulage has been improving"
Also speaking, Executive Director of Sifax, Major Henry Ajetunmobi (rtd) advised the truck drivers to see the trucks as their personal belongings and should manage them as such.
He described the drivers as the first point of contact with the company and they must be good representation of the company.
"The owner of the trucks expects returns and there must be returns on investments. We are expecting that there would be new performance level, both in transfer and delivery of cargoes, our clients must notice the difference, we must be trail blazers. The drivers are our agents that would advertise this company; we are depending on you to show the right attitude" , he counseled.
Also speaking, another Executive Director of Sifax, Dr. Fola Rogers said that Sifax Group has established a corporate headquarters for haulage, saying that the company plans to take haulage to the next level.
She also said that it has put in place training for all its drivers "because without training you cannot fault anyone because they don't know it".
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