GCCA Africa director Lizelle van der Berg presented the two finalists for the Africa Future Leader Award at the GCCA African Cold Chain conference . “ The time has arrived for the two finalists of the GCCA Africa Future Leader Award , an esteemed recognition bestowed upon exceptional young professionals in the African cold storage industry , who have displayed great potential for future career growth . These two finalists have successfully completed the rigorous application process , including a 10-minute recorded presentation and subsequently underwent in-person interviews with our esteemed panel of judges earlier today .” The runner-up was Peter Juma Echulet , operations manager of Big Cold in Kenya .
Thanks were extended to the 2023 judges for dedicating their time and effort to evaluate this initiative : Ivan Sutic , financial director of Chilleweni Cold Storage Solutions , Owusu Akoto , CEO FreezeLink and Renier du Preez , CEO of Digistics .
“ Congratulations to both Megan and Peter on reaching this prestigious stage of the competition . We eagerly anticipate your
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All photos by © Eamonn Ryan / Cold Link Africa
presentations on the challenges and trends within the cold storage industry ,” says Van der Berg .
The following is an excerpt from Graaf ’ s presentation : “ Thank you all for joining us today . We will be discussing several important aspects of South Africa ' s cold chain industry , particularly regarding the
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The winner : Megan Graaf , a supply chain solutions architect from Vector Logistics . |
use of solar power and alternative energy sources . Our objective is to increase production and enhance technology , automation and accessibility in our facilities . Technological advancements have made it easier for participants to access the necessary resources , resulting in market consolidation through acquisitions and |
The runner-up : Peter Juma Echulet , operations manager of Big Cold in Kenya . |
changes in consumer purchasing patterns . Seasonality , impacted by events like Black Friday , is also changing . Additionally , there is an increasing demand for improved service and responsiveness to customer queries and concerns .”
“ When it comes to the challenges faced by the cold chain in South Africa , we cannot ignore the rising costs of inflation and fuel , which have a significant impact on distribution costs throughout the supply chain . These cost increases also affect the purchasing power of end consumers . Moreover , the growing number of vehicles on the road is causing fuel consumption to surge , particularly for generators used in our facilities . The unpredictable fluctuations in logistics further complicate planning and budgeting for the entire chain , including manufacturers and producers who strive to minimise waste . Although the country has fairly robust infrastructure , it is causing distribution issues within South Africa and neighbouring regions . Additionally , disruptions like machinery strikes can severely impact the import and export of temperature-sensitive
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