Grain Bulk Handlers ups capacity to meet demand

By Jackson Okoth

Grain Bulk Handlers Ltd has expanded its storage and delivery systems at the port of Mombasa to meet demands from customers.

"Over the past ten years, we have increased our investments by increasing our bulk storage capacity to 135,000 metric tonnes, and adding a further two bulk delivery points, and 12 extra bagged delivery points," Jon John Stokes, Finance Director, Grain Bulk Handlers told The Standard.

GBHL begun operations in 2000 providing services to customers importing bulk grain into the region, and its clientele includes international grain traders, local and regional grain millers, as well as international relief agencies.

Its work begins at the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) berth, where it removes the bulk grain from vessels. The grain is then transferred by a conveyor-belt system directly to a grain terminal immediately adjacent to the port, which offers over 135,000 metric tonnes of bulk storage capacity.

From the terminal the customer can collect the grain using either road or rail systems.

"Our delivery systems offer both bulk and bagged delivery, based on customer requirements," said Stokes.

The movement of grain from vessel, through storage silos, to customer transport is managed by a control room, which ensures the complex transfer of grains takes place accurately and efficiently.

Grain is weighed upon arrival using scales situated at the berth, and then again upon delivery to the customer.

Huge investments

GBHL has so far made investments to the tune of $60 million. It has two ‘portalino’ vessel discharge machines, with a combined rated capacity of 14,400 metric tonnes per day. The company also has storage silos and bulk warehouse providing 81,000 metric tonnes of storage capacity, and three bulk delivery points, plus 8-bagged delivery points.

GBHL mainatained its charges at the same level, absorbing cost increases by increasing efficiency and leveraging economies of scale obtained through increases in throughput.

The firm has devised several strategies to reduce costs including avoidance of double handling, reducing lorry dwell time, and collecting in bulk, rather than incurring the cost of bags.

"We have facilitated reductions in these costs by our investments in extra silo storage capacity and the increase in loading points," said Stokes.