Orlens Transport
Logistics business swears by DAF
The term ‘built for the long haul’ could not ring more true for Sastri Rapiti, owner of Orlens Transport. Rapiti started his business in KwaZulu-Natal with a few second-hand DAF Trucks in 2011 – the same year that Babcock began operating as the sole importer & distributor of DAF Trucks.
As Rapiti’s logistics service spread across sub-Saharan Africa new DAF Trucks were purchased. Today, DAF Trucks comprises 90% of his fleet. Rapiti is no newcomer to the transport industry. He has been involved in the sector for many years and worked with all the major truck brands, but he maintains that there is no better truck than DAF. In fact, every single one of the DAF Trucks that he has bought is still running. Rapiti attests this to the truck’s engineering, driveability and productivity. It truly is a truck that is built to last. Even though DAF Trucks are built in Europe, they are designed for African environmental and road conditions. In addition, used DAF Trucks come with comprehensive service records and are subject to rigorous checks by Babcock.
Rapiti is an encouraging success story, starting off with a few older DAF Trucks and slowly building up his fleet and his business into a highly reputable company. “Although there are bigger, more established truck brands available in South Africa, you are just a number, whereas with Babcock you get personal service. If you have a problem, you can call Mark or one of the salespeople and they will immediately try to help you, instead of having to contact a call centre for assistance,” says Rapiti.
As a result of perseverance, hard work and hands-on involvement from Rapiti, Orlens Transport has built up long-term contracts with a number of blue chip customers in the packaging, beverages and other transport sectors, and operates throughout sub-Saharan Africa, proudly carrying the DAF banner across the region.
DAF Trucks has been recognised as one of the top performing truck tractors in Europe for several years and is swiftly gaining in popularity in southern Africa as Babcock continues to work on promoting the brand name and the after-sales support available from Babcock.
Babcock is proud to deliver added value to southern African customers with a choice of leading DAF vehicles including the XF series for heavy, long-distance haulage and the versatile CF series suited to a variety of applications, including regional routes and construction.