Founded in 1974, Lucerne Transport has grown into a powerful bulk liquid tanker transport company now under the banner of Unitrans Supply Chain Solutions (PTY) Ltd, a subsidiary of KAP Industrial Holdings.
We offer a top-class tanker logistics solution backed by a professional and dedicated team, with an extensive and continually growing fleet of trucks and configured tankers.
WHO
WE ARE
Lucerne Transport was founded as a family-run business in 1974, when JMJ Loubser began transporting milk from farms to his dairy. From there, Lucerne Transport has grown to become one of South Africa’s largest tanker transport companies.
As of September 2016, Lucerne Transport has become wholly owned by Unitrans Supply Chain Solutions (PTY) Ltd, a subsidiary of KAP Industrial Holdings Limited. This acquisition has opened a plethora of opportunities for the company, allowing Lucerne Transport to carry a wide variety of products across South Africa and into neighbouring countries.
We remain proud to provide all our clients – ranging from small entrepreneurial enterprises to large multinational corporations – with the personal service and attention to detail that has always set us apart.
CORE BUSINESS
No successful business is built without establishing and maintaining sturdy relationships with clients.
Whilst Lucerne Transport has achieved rapid growth in a short space of time, none of it would have been possible without a strong foundation – one built with the support and encouragement of our valued existing clientele.
We continue to offer unparalleled service, as our growing fleet offers you flexibility with a more frequent schedule and efficient service delivery times. Our highly-trained staff complement ensures that we maintain an efficient response time to any requests, continuing our outstanding on-time service record.
Some of the markets we serve include the following:
OUR VISION
The principles that early management had on how the business should be run – “be thorough and do things right” – have set Lucerne Transport in good stead since the company’s inception.
Whilst the organisation may have evolved significantly since then, we have managed to uphold these principles and maintain our vision throughout our development.
KEY VALUES
Ongoing Senior Management Involvement
Superior Quality Equipment
.
On-Time Servicing Record
Integral Focus on Safety
Quality of our People
Value & Appreciation for Business
Product & Service Portfolio
MEET MANAGEMENT
MARTIN LOUBSER
Chief Operating Officer - Specialised Freight & Warehousing
Martin previously, the MD of Lucerne Transport has a divisional role which sees Lucerne Transporting reporting into him. Martin brings exceptional operational management expertise to the Lucerne Transport team. Martin has been involved with Lucerne Transport since 1993.
ANNETTE LOUBSER
Head: Admin and Debtors
Annette has been with Lucerne Transport since 2000. She provides the critical administrative support to our business to ensure specific customer requirements are met. Our customers are allocated dedicated invoicing staff to manage their account and ensure compliance with customer-specific requests.
NICOLA DONALDSON
Head of HR
Nicola has been with the KAP Group since August 2006. During this time, she gained valuable experience and knowledge in the Transport and Logistics, Furniture and Manufacturing and Chemicals industries. She joined Lucerne in March 2020 in the capacity of Head of Human Resources for Unitrans Chemicals and Explosives, based at our Tulisa Park operation.
ALFRED HENERY
General Manager – Operations
Alfred completed his RAU Transport diploma in 1994 and has been in the transport industry ever since. He’s been a loyal member of the Lucerne family since 2013 and is passionate about operations.
SHADRACK MAHLANGU
Regional Technical Manager
Shadrack has been in the technical field since 1992. He started as a diesel mechanic apprentice, qualifying in 1995, whereafter he worked his way from team leader to foreman, workshop manager and where he finds himself now as a technical manager. He’s gained invaluable experience over the past 28 years in the field working with buses and trucks. He joined Unitrans in 2020.
RIETTE KRIEL
Commercial Manager
Riëtte joined Lucerne Transport in April 2023 and is based at the Tulisa Park depot. She is no novice to the logistics, operations and production environment and has spent the better part of her career in this arena.
We are thrilled to have her as part of our tribe, heading up a passionate and results-focused Commercial team ensuring customers’ needs are prioritised and met.
BRYCE VARNER
Head: Lucerne Transport & Explosives
Bryce joined Lucerne Transport in 2012. He is primarily responsible for the daily management of Lucerne Transport and strategic direction of the business. Bryce has many years of experience in all departments, humbly commencing his career as a transport trainee. He has been in the tanker transport industry for many years and has experience in numerous industry sectors.
SAGIE PILLAY
Financial Manager
Sagie joined Lucerne Transport in 2018 as Head of the Finance Department. Sagie has more than 30 years experience in the Transport and Logistics sector.
STEVEN ALLISON
General Manager – Operations Kwa-Zulu Natal
Steven joined Lucerne Transport in 2017, based in our Durban office. He has worked in the transport industry his entire career, having been based in Durban, Maputo and Johannesburg over the years. He has a solid knowledge of the operational aspects of transport and runs a team of staff employed to ensure our transitions through Durban are smooth and efficient.
DOUGLAS TWIGGE
SHERQ & Compliance Manager
Doug has 27 years’ experience in Operations, SHERQ and Compliance. He’s done extensive international studies abroad, in the UK and France. He joined Lucerne in early 2019 and his main responsibility currently is ensuring Lucerne Transport (Unitrans Chemicals) achieves the highest SHERQ standards to ensure that we continue being the market leader in the Transportation of Chemicals.
LLEWELLYN MALHO
National Sales Manager
Llewellyn completed his Bcom Transport and Logistics degree in 2015 through Unisa. He started his transport journey straight out of school in 2011 and started working for Lucerne Transport in 2019.
His friendly disposition, solid work ethic, drive and love for people quickly allowed him to transition from operations to marketing and sales.