Shaping up to ship out: Dekra Industrial SA launches local vendor inspection and expeditingservices
As extremely active importers and exporters of goods to boost and grow the economy, South African
businesses require high-calibre inspection and expediting services. Dekra Industrial SA has recently
launched a division dedicated to meet this growing requirement.
With decades of experience in non-destructive testing (NDT) and inspection services, the company
brings a wealth of inspection-related expertise to a broad range of clients in industry sectors such as
power generation, petrochemicals, steel, fabrication and mining.
JP Muller, the Business Line Manager spearheading Dekra Industrial’s vendor inspection and
expediting services locally explains: “In addition to meeting the requirements of the country’s import
and export sectors, we saw an opportunity to expand the services provided by DEKRA Industrial in
South Africa.
The fact that as a country, we export and import creates a multi-billion rand industry, and a great
need for supply chain inspection. Companies want to know the correct quantities of their goods
coming in and going out of the country – and that they are also receiving the correct product as per
their original order.”
Seamless collaboration and support
Globally, Dekra already provides inspection and expediting services in more than 60 countries, with
over 2000 inspectors worldwide.
“It therefore made sense that we would also launch this much-needed service locally, as we can
leverage our extensive global network, collaborating seamlessly on a daily basis – particularly in key
markets such as India and China, with which we work closely,” says Johan Gerber, DEKRA
Industrial SA Managing Director.
“The decision to provide vendor inspection and expediting services to our South African and pan-
African clients also aligns with our commitment to delivering quality inspection and testing services
worldwide,” Gerber says.
“We also recognise the importance of agility and adaptability in today’s fast-paced business
environment, and our goal is to empower South African businesses with the tools and resources
they need to thrive in an increasingly competitive global market.”
Quality inspections
Internationally, Dekra’s inspectors are highly trained, and adept at providing accurate and
dependable product verification. Collaborations with global transport and logistics stalwarts such as
DHL further enhance the vendor inspection and expediting service offering.
To this end, Dekra Industrial South Africa will engage only the best inspectors locally with sector-
relevant experience, providing quality, dependability and consistency, as well as fast inspection
report turnaround times.
These inspectors – from such diverse backgrounds as engineering and agriculture – will undergo
rigorous selection processes to meet the company’s high standards.
“For complex contracts requiring specialised vendor inspections expertise, we will tap into our global
network of experienced inspectors, underscoring our commitment to excellence,” highlights Gerber.
In addition to its core vendor inspection services, Dekra Industrial will also provide value-added
services such assisting clients with supply chain optimisation and regulatory compliance. By offering
a holistic approach to inspection and expediting, the company aims to position itself as a trusted
partner for businesses across a wide range of sectors.
Time is money
Although each project has its own dynamics, Muller points out that the company’s standard turn-
around time on vendor inspections is 24 hours.
“Time is money as the saying goes in business. If we perform an inspection for the client quickly and
efficiently, we know they will come back. The quicker we can perform their inspection and reporting,
the quicker our clients can export – or sell – their products,” he enthuses.
Strategic asset and ally
“Our commitment to excellence extends beyond the confines of traditional inspection services,”
notes Muller.
“We aim to be a strategic asset – and ally – to our clients, providing them with the insights and
support they require to achieve their import and export-related business objectives. This service will
enable us to offer more value to our clients: not only by saving them money, but by safeguarding
their integrity, credibility and reputation which – in the business of import and export – is very
dependent on the verification of quality and of accurate product quantities.
“What sets us apart is our expertise, global footprint and comprehensive vendor inspection and
expediting solutions, which can also be tailored as required.
The honesty and integrity with which we operate is also appreciated by our clients. This service is
very dependent on the trust which clients have in inspections service provider, and its perceived
credibility and integrity. Performing competent and reliable product verifications has built Dekra’s
credibility globally as an experienced vendor inspection company with high professional standards –
and we aim to offer our local clients the same dependable service,” Muller concludes.
Ends
(758 words)
About DEKRA Industrial and DEKRA Institute of Learning
With 99 years in the industry through its global parent company, DEKRA Industrial SA has
established a formidable reputation as a leader in inspection services, non-destructive testing
(NDT), material testing, laboratory services, Advanced NDT, and asset integrity services, and offers
industry training through the DEKRA Institute of Learning.
As part of the global DEKRA group, which has a presence in more than 50 countries on five
continents, DEKRA Industrial RSA provides safety solutions across a multitude of industries,
including power generation, oil and gas, construction, petrochemical, manufacturing, fabrication,
pulp and paper, rail, mining, steel industry and foundries, within South Africa and pan-Africa.
DEKRA Industrial SA is a holistic services provider of NDT inspection and corrosion control with
rope access and lifting. DEKRA Industrial SA has 51 percent black woman ownership and has
achieved a current overall Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) status of Level 1.
The company is also RD 0034-compliant – a nuclear safety compliance standard – and is one of the
few NDT companies locally to hold the ISO 45001:2018 certification; as well as DNV certification,
giving DEKRA Industrial access to many inspection opportunities in the maritime sector. The
company also offers comprehensive vendor inspection and expediting services.
The DEKRA Institute of Learning (IOL) is QCTO-accredited and delivers online learning across all
industries, in both public and private sectors, with training pitched to all levels of competency,
focusing on HSE, ISO and continuing professional development (CPD)-aligned courses. Classroom-
based and distance learning are also available.
DEKRA Industrial strives to be recognised as the ‘heroes of safety’.
