DSV celebrates milestone as integration with Schenker officially begins in South Africa
DSV celebrates milestone as integration with Schenker officially begins in South Africa
Moving forward as one unified team from 1 November
Johannesburg, South Africa, 3 November - Today, DSV marked a major milestone with the successful go-live of its integration with Schenker in South Africa. The celebration, held across offices nationwide, symbolised a new chapter for the business and its people, defined by shared purpose, collaboration, and an enhanced service offering for customers.
In the lead-up to this milestone, teams across the country diligently prepared to ensure a smooth integration and participated in internal initiatives designed to build momentum and foster unity ahead of the official go-live.
At DSV’s head office in South Africa, employees celebrated with a tree-planting ceremony and an address by the country’s senior leadership team, which was live-streamed to all facilities to enable real-time connection. Teams across the country joined in the festivities, from popcorn machines – a playful allusion to “popping into a new era” – to music, balloons, photo booths, and selfie frames that captured the energy and excitement of the day.
“Today is more than just a date on the calendar, it’s a defining moment in our journey together. We’re not just aligning systems and processes; we’re bringing together the incredible talent, energy, and commitment of our people. Our people have embraced change, supported one another, and shown what’s possible when we move forward together”, said Freda Venter, Vice President for Finance in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Progress across divisions
As the integration moves ahead, DSV in South Africa has made significant strides across all divisions, ensuring operational readiness and a seamless transition for customers and employees.
DSV Air & Sea
Over the past six months, the Air & Sea teams in South Africa and Mozambique have risen to the challenge in preparation for the official go-live, supported by strong leadership and the Operational Excellence team. Commercial and customer-facing teams have strengthened customer confidence, while operational teams implemented a successful buddy system, partnering with new colleagues transitioning to CargoWise to provide training and support.
Melanie Smit, Vice President for DSV Air & Sea, Sub-Saharan Africa, said:
“As we integrate these two strong organisations in Sub-Saharan Africa, we are consolidating their successes to create greater value and an enhanced service experience for our customers.”
DSV Contract Logistics
Integration in Contract Logistics continues to progress across teams and customers. Rebranding initiatives, uniform rollouts, and proactive client communications are reinforcing trust in our unified operations. System stability remains a top priority, with DSV and Schenker Warehouse Management Systems operating in parallel to maintain uninterrupted service. Following a successful integration in East London, planning is already underway for the next site integrations in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) and Cape Town.
Anthony Diack, Managing Director for Contract Logistics, South Africa, shared:
“I am truly excited about the integration. It brings new skills, capabilities, and knowledge to our people, and introduces new customers and industry verticals to our portfolio. This is a valuable opportunity to strengthen our expertise and deliver even greater value to the market.”
DSV Road
With all Schenker customers now onboarded onto the DSV system, communications completed, and legal reviews finalised, the team is fully prepared to move forward, strengthening relationships and delivering seamless customer service as one unified organisation.
Ralton Moses, Cluster Head for DSV Road, Sub-Saharan Africa, added:
“The true work begins now. It is essential that we capitalise on our position as the world's leading global logistics company. Our focus must be on delivering our customers premier service and exceptional quality. Together, we have the opportunity to redefine industry standards and set a benchmark for excellence.”
Looking ahead
With unified teams, processes, and systems, DSV is well-positioned to continue delivering operational excellence, supported by a culture that values people, performance, and partnership.
“Thank you to every colleague who contributed and to our new colleagues – welcome. Your expertise deepens our capabilities and broadens our footprint. We’re excited about the opportunities ahead and the value we’ll create together for our customers and communities,” shared Kyle Blackbeard, Senior Director, Human Resources, Africa.