International tyre maker Continental Tire has officially opened its first warehouse for West Africa in Ghana. Opened in July this year, it is situated in the Tema Harbour with flexible storage capacity to accommodate the company’s development in the region.
As a part of Bolloré Africa Logistics, the warehousing facility forms part of the organisation’s bonded logistics platforms situated close to the port terminal. Bolloré Africa Logistics provides over 90 000m² of warehousing and storage areas in Ghana.
“The capacity of the facility gives us the opportunity and flexibility to expand as the market dictates,” says Johann Liebenberg, market manager of Continental Tire West Africa. Driven by the need to provide better products and service to the West African market, the new facility will allow ease of access and increased capacity for quick and efficient distribution.
"We expect delivery within 24-48 hours in Ghana and also a significant reduction in time to service the rest of the West African countries,” says Liebenberg.
Continental Tire West Africa believes that the market holds enormous potential for all its brands including the fast growing general tyre range. “We wish to have our products close at hand and we will keep stock for the PLT, TT and CST segments of the market,” says Liebenberg.
The West African market is estimated to be in the region of over 8 million potential tyres in 2016, growing to over 12 million by 2025. With the new facility, Continental Tire West Africa is targeting a fair share of the projected growth, according to Liebenberg.
Tyres will be supplied via Continental Tire’s plants in Europe, South Africa and Malaysia. The Tema warehouse will be the distribution hub for Ghana and surrounding countries, where smaller volumes are required.