Grindrod Logistics In Partnership with Maersk Achieve Unprecedented ISO Accreditations – A Milestone of Excellence

On 24th January 2025, Grindrod Logistics (GLO), in partnership with Maersk, made history by achieving 4 ISO accreditations—ISO 22000, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001. These certifications are not just pieces of paper; they are a testament to our unwavering commitment to quality, safety, environmental responsibility, and operational excellence. But let’s be clear: this is no small feat.

In South Africa, it’s a rare achievement. Very few companies have reached this level of compliance across multiple sectors. These certifications are highly prestigious and signify a world-class commitment to global standards, putting GLO at the forefront of logistics excellence. Achieving this is a rarity, especially considering the extensive work required to meet international standards.

Presentation by Anil Lazarus, SHERQ Manager on the certification journey, challenges, and goals.

ISO 9001 (Quality Management System) – Ensures we consistently meet customer and regulatory requirements while enhancing satisfaction, operational efficiency, and continuous improvement.
ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety Management System) – Focuses on mitigating workplace risks, reducing hazards, and safeguarding our employees' health and safety, fostering a proactive safety culture.
ISO 22000 (Food Safety Management System) – Guarantees the safety of food products, with effective risk management throughout the entire supply chain, and integrates best practices like HACCP to ensure high-quality food safety standards.
ISO 14001 (Environmental Management System) – Provides a framework for reducing our environmental footprint, improving resource efficiency, and ensuring compliance with sustainability regulations.

Why this is So Impactful

The road to achieving these accreditations was filled with significant challenges. Here's why:

1. Intense Time Pressure: Building an Integrated Management System (IMS) from scratch typically takes a year to complete. However, our team built and implemented the system in just one month—August 2024. Yes, one month.

2. Accelerated Implementation: The full implementation and internal auditing of the IMS, typically a six-month process, was completed in just two months (from September to October 2024).

3. Overcoming Hurdles: We faced real-world challenges during construction, including engineering approvals, weather delays, and the need to continue operations during construction, all while meeting strict compliance deadlines.

4. Remote Collaboration: Building the IMS at six sites across four provinces was done remotely via Teams—making it a herculean effort in communication and project management.

5. First-Time Effort: For L. Masondo (SHERQ Officer) and C. Visser (SHERQ Advisor), this was the first time building an IMS system from start to finish. And they succeeded beyond expectations!

6. On-the-Ground Auditing: Anil traveled to six sites in four provinces, conducting internal audits and ensuring all procedures met the rigorous ISO standards.

The Result? A South African Rarity

Despite the hurdles, we’ve emerged stronger, faster, and more capable than ever. Grindrod Logistics is one of the very few companies in South Africa to hold four ISO accreditations simultaneously, across critical sectors. This achievement not only strengthens our position in the market but also demonstrates our commitment to continuous improvement and world-class operations.

Derek Mans, CEO of Grindrod Logistics (middle) & SHERQ Team receiving 4 ISO accreditations from JC Auditors

Derek Mans, CEO of Grindrod Logistics, encapsulated our drive perfectly in his keynote speech, emphasizing the importance of these certifications and reinforcing our commitment to quality, safety, and environmental responsibility.

A special thank you to JC Auditors, whose expertise in integrated solutions helped us navigate the complexities of certification. Their support made a significant difference in our journey to success.

The Journey Continues

The road ahead is bright. These ISO accreditations aren’t just a symbol of our success—they represent a foundation for continuous growth, improvement, and a commitment to global standards. We are excited to push the boundaries even further as we continue to transform the logistics landscape in Southern Africa.

Here’s to more milestones, more challenges, and more breakthroughs!