Barloworld Logistics

What Barloworld Logistics does

Barloworld Logistics is a Johannesburg-based provider of supply chain services and solutions, founded in 2001. The company operates in logistics and supply chain management, serving business customers through capabilities spanning distribution, logistics operations, and transport — including tanker transport via the 2012 Ecosse Tankers acquisition. With a workforce of 1,001–5,000 employees, it sits in the mid-to-large enterprise tier for South African logistics operators.

The company has historically pursued growth through inorganic means, completing four acquisitions between 2012 and 2016: Ecosse Tankers (May 2012) added tanker transport capability; SmartMatta (September 2015) added what appears to be a technology- or platform-adjacent asset; and Aspen Logistics Services (February 2016) and KLL Distributors (March 2016) — completed within a week of each other — broadened logistics services and distribution reach. The combined pattern points to a deliberate capability-buildout across tanker, distribution, and logistics services rather than geographic-only expansion.

The company is led by CEO Nireen Naidoo. No further detail on products, pricing, customer base, technology stack, or financial performance is available in the supplied data — the company's web presence renders only a loading/verification page, and the input material is thin on operational specifics beyond headcount, leadership, and the acquisition history.

Name

Barloworld Logistics

Website

https://barloworld-logistics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Barloworld Logistics is a Johannesburg-based supply chain services and solutions provider founded in 2001, serving business customers with a workforce of 1,001–5,000. The company has built capability through acquisitions in distribution, logistics services, and tanker transport.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Logistics Services

NAICS

Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510), Freight Transportation Arrangement (4885)

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)

akta.pro primary industry

Freight Brokerage (Truckload/LTL/Intermodal) (TLAIANAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Dedicated Transportation / Private Fleet Outsourcing (TLAIAEAA)

Keywords

• Supply chain management
• Logistics services
• Freight forwarding
• Warehousing solutions
• Distribution services

Headquarters

HQ city

Johannesburg

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Core offering

Barloworld Logistics provides supply chain services and solutions, operating as a third-party logistics provider offering transportation, warehousing, and distribution services to business customers. The company operates across multiple geographies and has expanded its capabilities through acquisitions of complementary logistics businesses.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Supply Chain Services and Solutions

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights1 record

Regional players

• Value Logistics: South African contract logistics and distribution specialist focused on FMCG and retail supply chains. Comparable as a regional operator with adjacent rather than directly overlapping customer segments.
• Onelogix: South African supply chain and logistics group providing freight, warehousing, and distribution services. Comparable as a domestic peer with similar asset-light and asset-heavy logistics offerings.

Broad incumbents

• CEVA Logistics: Global third-party logistics provider majority-owned by CMA CGM, offering contract logistics, freight management, and finished vehicle logistics. Competes for industrial and mining-sector supply chain contracts across emerging markets.
• DHL Supply Chain: Global contract logistics leader under Deutsche Post DHL, providing warehousing, transport management, and end-to-end supply chain solutions. Competitor for multinational clients operating in South Africa and broader Africa.
• Kuehne+Nagel: One of the world's largest freight forwarders and logistics providers, with established African operations. Comparable as a broad incumbent competing for cross-border and domestic supply chain contracts.
• DSV: Global transport and logistics company with significant presence in Africa following its Panalpina and Agility GIL acquisitions. Competes with Barloworld Logistics on road, air, and sea freight arrangement services.

Direct peers

• Imperial Logistics: Major South African third-party logistics provider offering freight management, contract logistics, and supply chain solutions to industrial and consumer clients across Africa. Closest direct regional competitor to Barloworld Logistics given overlapping service portfolio and customer base.
• Bidvest Logistics: South African freight and logistics arm of Bidvest, providing distribution, freight forwarding, and supply chain services. Comparable as a domestic 3PL with multi-modal offerings serving similar industrial and FMCG customers.

Market position

Strengths3 records

Weaknesses3 records

Competitive moat2 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights4 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/barloworld-logistics

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A4 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Barloworld Logistics