EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
Elite Fibre celebrates
new lease on life
By Kelly-Ann Prinsloo and John Ackermann
Renowned for their steadfastness in the industry, Elite Fibre recently celebrated the purchase
of a new property in Olifantsfontein, which gives the company more room to grow.
E
lite Fibre, a long-serving member
certain lucky guests walked away with Elite
Africa to start Elite Fibre as a manufacturer
of the cold chain, celebrated the
Fibre vouchers to the value of R5 000 and
of GRP vehicle bodies. It was a difficult
players we focus on innovative product
“In consultation with market role
opening of its new premises in
R10 000, while Lourens Smit of Lebestho
industry to enter as a newcomer and John
developments to remain ahead of global
Olifantsfontein, Gauteng, with a glitzy party
Transport won a state-of-the-art wristwatch.
questioned my motivation. His advice was
technologies in logistics and to add to the
on Thursday, 11 August.
Elite Fibre also auctioned off two Thermo
to have a clear mission that would relate to
business success of our clients,” added
King SLX E400 trailer refrigeration units,
the market. This sparked our commitment to
Watters. “Our investment in new premises
and the industry were invited to spend
each valued at over R400 000. Lionel van
building trustworthy relationships with all our
in Johannesburg is part of our long-term
an evening at Elite Fibre’s new premises.
Rensburg from Master Cargo trumped his
clients based on quality in product and in
strategy to better serve the many clients
Entertainment was provided by comedian,
competitors and walked away with both
performance of our staff and management.
that have supported our continued growth.
Alan Committie, who regaled the guests
Thermo King units, while Heinrich Schaefer
After 17 years, we proudly uphold the same
We are confident that this investment and
from Namibia and across South Africa with
of HRF was the lucky winner of the R10 000
mission and celebrate with all our clients what
others in our infrastructure will forge stronger
his razor-sharp wit and self-deprecating
Elite Fibre voucher.
the company has achieved. It is not about
partnerships with our clients.”
Valued members of the company
Mark Watters, co-founder of Elite Fibre,
humour.
what we have achieved, but rather how it
The opening celebration of the new Elite
told guests of his vision when starting the
has been achieved. The partnerships that we
Fibre in Johannesburg is still being spoken
the prize giveaways and the auction.
business. “Seventeen years ago, I shared
have with our clients bode well for the future,
about as ‘the industry event of the year’,
Business cards were drawn from a box and
my idea with John Ackermann of Cold Link
even in a tough economic climate.”
according to Ackermann.
Other highlights of the evening included
All images courtesy of Elite Fibre
Hannover Motor Show
outing
Factory staff in George, from left: Doutjie
Sulaiman, Allie Sas and Kevin Vermeulen.
Two of the managers outside the new
premises, Stanley Robertson (left) and
Jacque van Rooyen. Jackie Calitz was
absent for the photo.
George opening
Elite Fibre also officially opened in
Stanley Robertson, branch manager,
George recently, celebrating the
was upbeat about the first order
opening with an inaugural evening
received from a George based client.
on 8 September. It now offers a one-
Stanmar Motors, the Mercedes-Benz
stop shop for operators of refrigerated
dealer in George, placed an order for a
vehicles in the southern Cape — a
4.8m dry freight GRP body to operate in
new concept with added benefits in
the region.
managing the maintenance costs of
refrigerated vehicles.
Motor dealers of the southern Cape
“We are equally excited about
our service agreement with Eqstra
to maintain their fleet of refrigerated
had a strong presence among the guests
vehicles on contract with Clover in
at the opening of Elite Fibre in Meul
George. The agreement covers the
Street, George Industria. On view was the
vehicle bodies as well as the refrigeration
first 7.5m refrigerated rigid body built at
units,” said branch manager Jacque
the new branch for Kempston Hire.
van Rooyen.
20
Mark Watters, managing director (on left) and Juan Lerena, Johannesburg general
manager, recently visited the Hannover Motor Show to network on the latest international
trends in refrigerated distribution.
CLA
Mark Watters (on left) and prize-winner
Heinrich Schaefer of HRF.
www.coldlinkafrica.co.za
Mark Watters, managing director (on left)
and auction-winner Lionel van Rensburg of
Master Cargo.
COLD LINK AFRICA • November | December 2016