This archive report was first published on 17 July 2019.
Founded 12 years ago, Ponty Pridd is a relatively young company in the Kenyan logistics industry. According to its Managing Director, Anthony Wainaina, the company's business model is built on technology and partnerships, which have enabled it to grow its fleet to 415 trucks.
Wainaina attributes the company's success to its team of experienced logistics professionals, who have a combined experience of over 45 years. He also emphasizes the importance of local knowledge and experience in the logistics industry, which Ponty Pridd has leveraged to deliver value to its clients.
One of the key features of Ponty Pridd's business model is its inclusive approach, which engages and integrates small-scale truck owners into its fleet. This allows small-scale players to have the same opportunities for contracts that would otherwise be reserved for multinational players or large fleet owners.
Through its model, Ponty Pridd invests in ensuring that small fleet owners achieve international standards in safety, operational excellence, on-time delivery, and driver capabilities. This has enabled the company to increase its fleet capability and operational efficiencies, serving many more clients in the region.
For small business owners, Ponty Pridd's model offers a source of aggregation, where they can get returns on their investment through guaranteed work and pay, growth in truck numbers, and business skills. The company's success has also made it the largest single fleet aggregator in the region, with over 1,000 employees getting direct revenue from Ponty Pridd as partners, drivers, or employees.
Wainaina believes that the logistics space will grow as regional economies grow, but notes that the cost of moving cargo in the region is higher than the international standard. He emphasizes the need to create efficiencies at both the transporter and customer levels to bring down the cost.
When asked about the biggest disruptor in the industry, Wainaina points to technology, which he believes will be crucial for any major player to survive in the near future. At Ponty Pridd, the company is looking at all-inclusive tech for the movement of cargo from port to land, factory to customer, and farm to factory.
Regarding the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), Wainaina views it as an enabler in the long term, creating opportunities for last-mile delivery and partnership. He believes that increasing cargo shipment into the country will create more opportunities for last-mile delivery.
Looking ahead, Ponty Pridd aims to be the preferred logistics partner in East Africa, partnering with other international logistics firms to offer seamless services from the UK to the doorstep of a customer in Kenya.
