Logistics
World Net Logistics’ Acquisition by the Rhenus Group
Following its acquisition in early 2019 by Germany’s Rhenus Group, a leading global logistics service provider, local specialist World Net Logistics is experiencing the extensive benefits of the takeover. Integrating the two entities with different strengths has proven to be highly advantageous for both the group and its clients, according to World Net Logistics’ Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dirk Goedhart.
World Net Logistics is an international freight forwarding and logistics company focused on providing comprehensive and effective supply chain end-to-end solutions to a broad range of industries in Southern Africa. It has its own fleet for overland services, as well as warehouse capacity totalling 50,240 square metres in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, George, East London and Walvis Bay.
“We joined a strong family-owned business with a decentralised structure, which has enabled us to access and leverage a global network yet keep the agility and flexibility we are known for,” says Goedhart. The Rhenus Group is a logistics services provider with global business operations and an annual turnover of EUR 5.5 billion. The group’s hierarchy is flat, enabling quick decision-making. “Rhenus has paid a lot of attention to the local set up and market, retaining the differentiators for which World Net Logistics is known, whilst adding to its capabilities and portfolio,” Goedhart points out.
Through the acquisition, World Net Logistics’ international network has expanded significantly and now comprises more than 750 offices with over 33,000 employees globally. “Our own international presence enables us to offer customers even more consistency,” he adds. “The branch network within countries is far denser now, which brings us closer to the suppliers of our clients. In Germany and China for example, our locations have more than quadrupled”.
The sharing of expertise within the group has also presented new opportunities, both locally and globally. This has enabled World Net Logistics to expand into new sectors such as pharmaceuticals, as well as to tender for international business where owning a global network is a pre-condition.
“We have been able to combine the best of both worlds: to invigorate the differentiators for which we are known, as well as to leverage the strengths of the Rhenus Group,” concludes Goedhart. “Our focus remains simple: to bring tailor-made solutions specific to our clients’ needs’ whilst offering the benefits of a multinational company.”
World Net Logistics will be undergoing a name change and re-branding to Rhenus before the end of 2020.
Smarter infrastructure, better connected transport systems and airport experiences that reflect African creativity were at the centre of Runway to Railway: Project Maverick, held at the Vineyard Hotel in Cape Town on 22 October 2026. The gathering brought aviation, technology and creative perspectives into a discussion about how innovation can improve infrastructure and the experience of the people who use it.
Held under the theme Simply Connect Africa, the event forms part of the Runway to Railway vision conceived by Anna K Hecart, founder and director of Connected Group. The platform brings different sectors together to explore connections between infrastructure, business and opportunity across the continent.
Raising the Bar for African Infrastructure. Panel participants: Dirk Ackerman, moderator; Nicholas Ferguson, Executive Managing Director, RSA Aero; Hasnain Motlekar, Acting Chief Executive Officer, BCX; and York Ning, Director, ICT Marketing & Solution Sales Department, Huawei South Africa.
“Runway to Railway began with a belief that Africa’s progress depends on the connections we make between people, industries and ideas,” said Hecart. “We are pleased to announce the Runway to Railway Expo for November 2027. Our ambition is to bring the people shaping transport, infrastructure and technology together with investors and creative businesses to explore practical solutions and build partnerships that move Africa forward.”
The Expo is being developed as a meeting place for aviation, rail, logistics, infrastructure, technology, tourism and design professionals, alongside investors and public-sector stakeholders. Partners can expect opportunities to showcase their capabilities and connect with potential collaborators. Attendees can look forward to discovering innovations, exchanging ideas and exploring how better connected infrastructure can support African business and communities.
Anna K Hecart, Founder and Director of Connected Group and visionary behind Runway to Railway, addresses the gathering.
The infrastructure conversation brought the airport development perspective together with the technology expertise of BCX and Huawei. It considered how closer collaboration can support better passenger experiences, reliable operations and the practical delivery of connected infrastructure.
“The decisions that shape a passenger’s journey are made across many different organisations,” said Ackerman. “Bringing developers, operators and technology partners together early helps us see how those decisions fit together and where collaboration can make infrastructure work better.”
“An airport is part of a much wider economic network,” said Ferguson. “Its development needs to consider how people arrive, how businesses connect and how the surrounding region benefits. Innovation should support that wider purpose while making the everyday experience more efficient and welcoming.”
“The value of connected infrastructure lies in what it enables people and businesses to do,” said Motlekar. “Reliable networks, secure systems and useful information need to work together. Planning these capabilities from the outset helps organisations improve services and respond as demand changes.”
Gavin Rajah delivered the closing remarks, extending the conversation to the quality and character of retail experiences at African airports. He highlighted the opportunity to bring greater creativity and a stronger expression of African identity into spaces that shape travellers’ first and last impressions of a destination.
“An African airport should give travellers a real sense of place,” said Rajah. “Our retail spaces can do far more to showcase the continent’s design, fashion, food and craft. We have the talent and the stories. The opportunity is to present them with imagination and the quality they deserve, while creating space for African creative businesses to grow.”
Gavin Rajah, closing speaker, addresses creativity and African identity in the airport experience.
Event photographs
The Raising the Bar for African Infrastructure panel at Runway to Railway: Project Maverick.
An exchange during the infrastructure panel discussion.
A panellist contributes to the infrastructure discussion.
An on-stage presentation during Runway to Railway: Project Maverick.
Guests exchange ideas during the luncheon at the Vineyard Hotel.
Guests follow the programme at Runway to Railway: Project Maverick.
Guests seated during the event programme.
A guest listens during the luncheon.
Guests in conversation during the event.
Networking at Runway to Railway: Project Maverick.
Guests gather for a photograph at the Vineyard Hotel.
Guests connect outside the event venue.
Conversations continue between programme sessions.
A conversation during the event reception.
A conversation at Runway to Railway: Project Maverick.
*All photographs featured in this article were captured by: Elvis Nyelenzi
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