Coca Cola Beverages South Africa played host to the latest Road Transport Management System (RTMS) workshop at its Olifantsfontein manufacturing facility on 20 February 2019. The workshop provided delegates with RTMS background and focused on the importance of safety and sustainability in road transport.
The RTMS is a self-regulation initiative that has already shown outstanding results since its implementation and supports the Department of Transport’s National Overload Control Strategy (NOCS).
RTMS regulates the heavy vehicle industry and has achieved significant results in
• Reduction and minimisation of overloading
• Preventing road damage and preserving our infrastructure
• Enhancing the safety of heavy vehicles on our national roads
• Driver Wellness Initiatives
• Reduction of traffic violations (e.g. reducing speeding incidents)
• Improving efficiency in various industry supply chains
• Actively promoting skills development within the transport sector
The workshop delegates were also shown case studies that demonstrated the tangible benefits experienced by companies that implemented RTMS in their operations. Benefits were reported by the big corporates such as Coca Cola Beverages SA and Air Products SA as well as emerging operators such as Africa Link Transport, Khanyi Ilanga and BR Khoza Carriers.
Sunshine Bennet, the owner of Africa Link Transport recounted how he went from being homeless to now owning a fleet of more than 70 trucks and expressed how RTMS implementation enabled Africa Link Transport to compete with the so-called bigger boys.
Jonathan Richardson (Fleet Risk Manager, Coca Cola Beverages SA) showed the journey of the global giant to achieving RTMS certification and acclaimed “diamond status”. Jonathan reported on the significant reduction in accidents, overloads and speed violations since the implementation of RTMS. Saphira Mamashela of Africa Link also displayed the notable reduction in overloads and speed violations. Especially impressive was the 60% reduction in accidents that Africa Link experienced since RTMS implementation.
The South African National Accreditation Services (SANAS) represented by Mookho Morienyane (Accreditation Specialist) informed delegates of the essential role that SANAS plays to ensure that credible certifications are issued, in compliance with the international ISO 17021 standard, thus engendering confidence and trust in the market place.
One of the highlights of the day were the RTMS certificate awards to CCBSA, Air Products, BR Khoza Carriers, Skhwama Logistics, Khanyi Ilanga Transport and Babcock's plant hire business.