Aims Global Logistics

What Aims Global Logistics does

AIMS Global Logistics (Aeromaritime International Management Services Proprietary Limited, trading as AGL) is a South African private freight transportation and supply chain management company founded in 1990 as a joint venture between Allied Electronics Corporation (Altron) and Ren Freight Forwarding. The company operates from its head office in Kempton Park (Gauteng), with a Sandton sales/marketing office and a regional office in Umhlanga (Durban) serving KwaZulu-Natal. AGL offers an end-to-end logistics portfolio across five core lines — global freight forwarding (sea, air, road, rail), national distribution, customs clearing, AAA-grade warehousing, and supply chain management — complemented by three specialized services: trade fairs and exhibitions logistics, 24/7/365 aviation logistics (AOG parts movement, hazardous cargo, aircraft charters), and defence logistics (RORO movements, high-security storage, armed escort). Additional value-added services include freight auditing, performance reporting, and order management.

The underlying technology stack is composed primarily of third-party integrated platforms — MULTITRACK for freight tracking, Streamline for web-based warehouse management, Sizanani for distribution management with electronic proof of delivery, and an EDI clearing system for SARS customs communications — combined with cloud-based IT systems enabling end-to-end supply chain visibility and integration with client/supplier ERP systems. There is no public API, no proprietary AI/ML capability, and no developer-facing platform. AGL is a SARS-accredited customs agent, a SAAFF member, holds Level 1 B-BBEE certification as a majority black-owned business, and operates a food-safety-certified warehouse facility.

AGL's business model is enterprise-focused and transaction-driven, with quote-based pricing across all service lines, pay-as-you-use warehousing, and managed monthly billing for national distribution. The go-to-market combines direct enterprise field sales, consultative account management for major accounts in automotive, defence, and aviation sectors, and a vetted overseas agent network for international forwarding. Revenue streams span transaction fees (freight forwarding, customs clearing), usage-based storage, managed services (4PL coordination), and professional services (defence and aviation logistics). Named customers include Audi (one-off launch event logistics) and an unnamed South African defence manufacturer.

Name

Aims Global Logistics

Legal name

Aeromaritime International Management Services Proprietary Limited

Website

https://agl.co.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

AIMS Global Logistics is a South African freight forwarding and supply chain management company founded in 1990, serving enterprise clients across automotive, defence, aviation, and import/export sectors with global freight forwarding, customs clearing, warehousing, national distribution, and specialized aviation and defence logistics services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Freight Transportation and Logistics Services

NAICS

Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510)

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)

akta.pro primary industry

Customs Brokerage for Ocean Shipments (Import/Export Clearance) (TLACABAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Ocean Export Forwarding (Booking/VGM/SI/BL) (TLACABAF), High-Value & Secure Air Cargo (Valuables, Security Screening, Escort) (TLACAAAH), Defense & Government Project Logistics (TLACAIAG), Aerospace & Defense (TLAIALAB)

Keywords

• Freight forwarding services
• Customs clearing brokerage
• Warehousing and storage
• National distribution logistics
• Supply chain management

Headquarters

HQ city

Gauteng

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Global Freight Forwarding Services: Fees generated from international cargo movement services including sea, air, road and rail modalities. Services include cargo consolidation, inspection, optimised transit times, and end-to-end visibility.
2. Customs Clearing Services: Revenue from customs brokering services with accredited agent status with SARS, including import and export customs clearance through EDI systems.
3. Warehousing and Storage Services: Secure storage solutions including AAA grade warehousing, bulk storage, cross docking, pick and pack services with flexible pay-as-you-use pricing.
4. National Distribution Services: Distribution logistics including managed billing, fourth party logistics management, coordination of multiple service providers. Full fleet management available including truck and driver costs.
5. Supply Chain Management Services: Strategic supply chain integration services including process optimisation, collaboration, and skills pool development for business improvement.
6. Defence Logistics Services: Specialised logistics for defence products including aircraft charters, RORO movements, high security storage, armed escort, and professional rigging and packaging.
7. Aviation Logistics Services: 24/7/365 aviation logistics including AOG (Aircraft on Ground) parts movement, on board courier, hazardous cargo, aircraft charters, and repair/return management.
8. Trade Fairs and Exhibitions Logistics: Specialised exhibition shipping including customs clearance, on-site assistance, storage, re-export, and liaison services for global trade shows.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

AIMS Global Logistics is a South African freight transport and logistics company that provides end-to-end supply chain services including international freight forwarding (sea, air, road, rail), national distribution, customs clearing, AAA-grade warehousing, and supply chain management. It also delivers specialized logistics for aviation (24/7/365 AOG support), defence (secure sensitive cargo), and trade fairs/exhibitions for enterprise clients in automotive, defence, aviation, and import/export sectors.

Product overview

AIMS Global Logistics operates as a comprehensive logistics and supply chain management company offering a unified service portfolio. The core offering consists of Global Freight Forwarding, National Distribution, Customs Clearing, Warehousing, and Supply Chain Management services. These are complemented by specialized services for Trade Fairs & Exhibitions, Aviation Logistics, and Defence Logistics. Value Added Services including customs/regulatory support, IT systems, order management, and performance reporting serve as add-on capabilities across the entire service range. The company positions itself as a full-service logistics provider managing the complete spectrum from initial procurement to final customer delivery.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Global Freight Forwarding International freight forwarding service covering sea, air, road, and rail modalities for import/export cargo. Includes cargo consolidation, optimized transit times, end-to-end visibility, and cost-effective shipment routing, executed through a vetted global network of overseas offices and agents.
• National Distribution Domestic distribution management service with network of distribution points, fulfillment and shipping logistics, full fleet management with truck and driver cost coverage, managed billing across multiple service providers, 4PL coordination, and real-time electronic tracking of delivery costs and driver performance.
• Customs Clearing Customs brokerage service for import and export clearance backed by SARS-accredited agent status. Provides EDI clearing system communication, regional representation at all ports of entry, and foreign origin export clearing globally through an agent network.
• Warehousing AAA-grade warehousing offering bulk storage, cross docking, pick and pack, and inventory management with pay-as-you-use flexible costing and web-based remote stock management via the Streamline WMS for inventory tracking by pallet, batch, or serial number.
• Supply Chain Management Strategic end-to-end supply chain integration service covering procurement through final delivery, including 4PL coordination, process optimization, skills pool development, and IT-driven management and control.
• Trade Fairs & Exhibitions Logistics

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduce shipping costs through strategic cargo packing
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Allied Electronics Corporation (Altron)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1990Founded in 1990 as a joint venture between Allied Electronics Corporation (Altron) and Ren Freight Forwarding. Originally established to provide import and export cargo management services, customs clearing, and international freight forwarding largely for Altron group companies. Altron's involvement established the company's foundation in electronics and technology sector logistics.
• Ren Freight ForwardingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1990Co-founded the company in 1990 alongside Allied Electronics Corporation (Altron). Established initial freight forwarding capabilities and industry expertise that formed the basis of AGL's service offerings.
• SAAFF (South African Association of Freight Forwarders)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProud member of SAAFF, dedicated to facilitating international trade through management of transportation, customs clearing, documentation, third party payments and various other elements of international supply chain. Membership provides industry credibility and network benefits.
• Streamline (Warehouse Management System)coreTechnology or IntegrationWeb-based warehouse management system provider used by AGL for real-time inventory tracking, quantity management, and dispatch operations. System allows clients remote access to warehouse information and records all transactions with pallet numbers, batch numbers, or serial numbers.
• MULTITRACKcoreTechnology or IntegrationOnline freight tracking system used for shipment management and tracking. Integrated into AGL's global forwarding services for real-time cargo visibility.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Expeditors South Africa: US-headquartered global freight forwarder with South African presence focused on airfreight, ocean freight, and customs brokerage. Comparable to AGL in freight forwarding and customs core, with a technology-led operating model.
• Hellmann Worldwide Logistics South Africa: Family-owned global forwarder with South African operations in air, sea, and road freight plus customs services. Comparable mid-tier global competitor with similar product breadth and emphasis on automotive/customer-specific solutions.
• CEVA Logistics (CMA CGM): Global logistics provider with strong presence across Africa offering freight forwarding, contract logistics, and customs services. Comparable to AGL in 4PL-style supply chain orchestration and defence/aerospace contract logistics capabilities.
• Imperial Logistics: One of South Africa's largest logistics groups offering freight forwarding, contract logistics, and supply chain management across Africa. Comparable because it offers the same end-to-end supply chain portfolio as AGL, but at vastly greater scale and geographic reach across the continent.
• DSV South Africa: Global freight forwarding and solutions provider with operations in South Africa offering air, sea, and road freight plus contract logistics. Comparable service mix to AGL, particularly in customs brokerage and multi-modal forwarding for enterprise clients.
• DHL Global Forwarding (South Africa): Global freight forwarding heavyweight with deep South African presence covering air, ocean, road freight and customs. Comparable because it offers the same multi-modal forwarding and customs brokerage services as AGL but with owned offices worldwide and far greater scale.
• Kuehne+Nagel South Africa: Top-three global freight forwarder with significant South African operations in airfreight, seafreight, contract logistics, and customs. Comparable in core service portfolio to AGL with particular overlap in high-value air cargo and contract logistics.
• Bidvest T&F Logistics: South African freight forwarding and logistics arm of Bidvest Group offering customs clearing, international freight, and supply chain solutions. Directly comparable in service mix to AGL, with significantly larger infrastructure and broader enterprise customer base.

Emerging players

• Flexport: US-based digital freight forwarder offering ocean, air, trucking, and customs brokerage with a technology-first platform. Comparable to AGL's core forwarding and customs services, with a fundamentally different digital operating model targeting disruption of traditional forwarders.

Direct peers

• Scan Global Logistics: Denmark-headquartered mid-sized global forwarder with strong presence in Africa offering freight forwarding, customs clearance, and supply chain solutions. Most directly comparable to AGL in scale, multi-modal product mix, and emphasis on trade shows/exhibitions logistics.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/AimsGlobalLogistics
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aims-global-logistics

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Aims Global Logistics