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April 2006

Transportation and logistics giant Natro Freight has acquired the heavy equipment division of the Belgian-owned transport and crane-hire company BD Sarens, adding size, range and capability to Natro’s international operations.

The acquisition brings an additional 27 vehicles into Natro’s heavyweight fleet, including 17 low-bed truck/trailers ranging from 30 to 100 tons capacity. These will be moved from BD Sarens’ Alrode headquarters and integrated into Natro’s main depots in Boksburg, Cape Town as well as the company’s newly established Botswana depot. Natro is also taking aboard 33 former BD Sarens drivers and other employees. Sarens retains the crane-hire part of its business.

"BD Sarens’ transport operation is well established in moving heavy mining and construction equipment into the developing industrial areas of southern and central African countries such as Zambia and the DRC," says Natro Freight MD Jake Alberts. "The acquisition instantly gives us additional capability to handle the extraordinary demand for the movement of heavy capital equipment to these emerging regions."

With a fleet of about 250 trucks, Natro Freight is South Africa’s largest hauler of abnormally sized road cargoes and one of the country’s largest independent logistics, warehousing, distribution and transportation groups.