FOCUS AWARDS 2008

Unitrans is extremely proud to have scooped two prestigious awards at the 2008 Focus on Excellence Awards ceremony.

Once again, Unitrans has shown the industry that nothing is spared in its drive to provide operational excellence to its customers, backed by superior standards of safety, health, environment and quality standards.

The company was declared the Best Transport Operator for 2008, an award it has received for three years in succession, while Mega Bus and Coach, a company within the Unitrans Passenger division, was awarded Best Bus and/or Coach Operator of the Year.

“These awards are a fantastic achievement as the level of competition was significant and included other companies that make up the best in the industry,” says Jo Grové, Unitrans chief executive, “We are thrilled that the industry has bestowed this tribute on us and considers us to be the best around.”

The recognition is especially meaningful to Unitrans because of the extensive adjudication process leading to the award. The quality of all companies in the various categories is evaluated by an independent market research company. A total of 1 882 responses were received from companies interviewed this year, in addition to the 8 000 responses in the three customer satisfaction categories. The Awards survey results were verified by PricewaterhouseCoopers.

The Focus on Excellence Awards took place at a gala banquet on 27 October 2008, organised by the leading transport magazine, Focus on Transport, and the event was sponsored by WesBank, a strong supporter of excellence in all the industry sectors covered by the awards.

Unitrans Supply Chain Solutions

“Unitrans is highly honoured to have won the award for Best Transporter Operator of the Year 2008, a tribute that has been awarded to us for three consecutive years,” says Frank Wagner, CEO of Unitrans Supply Chain Solutions (USCS). Winning is always accompanied by a certain amount of pressure to remain at the top, but part of the Unitrans Spirit of Can Do culture is to always rise to the challenge to do things better and better.

“We see ourselves as innovative supply chain partners who tackle things differently, positioning ourselves around innovative supply chain solutions, and the company sees transport as an essential part of the supply chain. We are therefore very proud to have won the prestigious Focus Best Transporter of the Year award for 2008.

“Unitrans is a highly respected company with an excellent reputation and we will never compromise our values of integrity, passion, commitment, results and respect for ourselves, others and the environment in which we work. We carry these values into each and every customer relationship.

“Winning the Focus Transport Operator of the Year for 2008 is a major highlight,” concludes Wagner, “and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at Unitrans whose dedication to our values of integrity, passion and commitment has contributed to us receiving this award. Thank you also to Focus and WesBank for their valuable contribution to promoting excellence in our industry.”

MEGA BUS AND COACH

Leon Engelbrecht, divisional manager Intercity, was presented with the Best Bus and Coach operator on behalf of Mega Bus and Coach. This was the first time that this category had been included in the Focus awards. “It’s a great honour to receive this prestigious award. Thanks to our customers, to the committed teams in the workshop and to our sales team.”

The company offers a cost effective and safe travelling experience to companies and daily commuters. The mining industry represents a significant segment of Mega Bus’ client base, but its expertise extends beyond this market and it provides transport services to sectors of government, a large number of companies within various light and heavy industries, and schools throughout the country.

“Strategic partnerships and long-term relationships with our clients are the foundation of the company’s success,” says Nico Boshoff, managing director of Unitrans Passenger.

Mega Coach is the luxury coach charter division of Unitrans Passenger and is seen as one of the foremost coach companies in southern Africa and has a well-established portfolio of blue chip clients. The company’s fleet consists of over 80 expertly driven and well-maintained vehicles that offer safe, reliable and efficient transport solutions to tourists, travellers and corporate clients. Over the years, Mega Coach has solidified its reputation as a reliable, safe and cost effective transport solutions’ provider by entering into lasting relationships with clients by offering a professional service that is tailored to the unique requirements of the client.

A whole range of passenger transport services is offered by Unitrans Passenger and other companies include Greyhound, a finalist in the same category, and Citiliner, both of which provide intercity coach and bus transport services, nationally and cross-border; Mega Tourer, which provides mini coach services to the tourist and corporate conference markets; Magic Bus, a niche provider of exclusive airport shuttle transfers to the corporate and private sectors in three major centres; and Bojanala Bus, an operation providing commuter bus transport in the North West province.

The Focus on Excfellence Awards are supported by the following industry associations:

ACRA	– Automotive Component Remanufacturers’ Association
CILTSA	– Charter Institute of Logistics and Transport
ERA	– Engine Remanufacturers’ Association
FESARTA	– Federation of East and Southern African Road Transport Associations
IRTE	– Institute of Rod Transport Engineers
MIWA	– Motor Industry Workshop Association
MPEA	– Motor Parts and Equipment Association
NAAASP	– National African Association of Automobile Service Providers