From working in unpredictable weather conditions to braving extreme seas, South Africa’s commercial fishing industry is not for the faint hearted. It’s known as one of the world’s most dangerous industries for a reason.
Business owners face a myriad of challenges that can affect their operations, profitability, and sustainability. For those operating a commercial fishing organisation, particularly one reliant on the punctuality of boats and the efficiency of vessel discharge and turnaround, traditional full-time employment models may not always be the best fit. These businesses are expert commercial fishing organisations. When the focus must be on safety on the seas, it makes sense to outsource processes at the quayside to experts in that area, particularly given the fact that commercial fishing boats do not dock according to a fixed schedule.
Let’s take a look at the challenges commercial fishing enterprises face from a labour perspective, and how business process outsourcing (BPO) can support the viability, efficiency and profitability of organisations operating within this sector.
Understanding the challenges
Commercial fishing companies operating on a seasonal or demand-based schedule often struggle with the cost inefficiencies of maintaining a full-time workforce on the docks.
The reliance on the timely arrival of commercial fishing boats introduces a level of unpredictability. Delays due to weather, mechanical failures, or other logistical issues can result in idle labour and lost productivity. Similarly, power outages can halt operations, affecting the cold chain process critical for preserving the catch’s quality.
Finally, the South African commercial fishing industry is not immune to global supply chain challenges, including fluctuations in fuel prices, availability of packing materials, and transportation disruptions. These factors can complicate operational planning and execution.
Embracing outsourced solutions
Begin by identifying the specific areas of your business that require support, such as fish packing, cold storage management, and transportation logistics, you can seek out specialised service providers.
Look for outsourcing partners with experience in the commercial fishing industry or similar sectors. They should be able to offer scalable solutions that can adjust to the variable nature of your business demands.
Your business can also invest in technology platforms that facilitate seamless communication and coordination between your company and the outsourcing partners. Real-time tracking, scheduling, and reporting tools can enhance transparency and efficiency.
Strategic planning for uncertainties
To make the most of your BPO partner, negotiate contracts that allow for flexibility in resource allocation based on your operational needs. This can include provisions for scaling workforce size up or down and adjusting work hours to match the arrival of commercial fishing boats.
You can also work with your BPO partner to develop contingency plans for potential disruptions, including alternative arrangements for fish packing and storage during loadshedding or when facing supply chain issues. Establishing relationships with multiple suppliers and logistics providers can mitigate the impact of these challenges.
How FunxionO can help
At FunxionO, we are productivity experts with a focus in outcomes based workforce solutions to the FMCG manufacturing, processing and logistics sectors, including commercial fishing. Our solutions are based on a measurable productivity risk and reward model. Our commercial fishing clients trust their non-core processes to us, and they become our core focus. We assume management control over the people and technology within the defined contracted scope of work, and ensure that labour solutions are in place only when they are needed, reducing overheads while sharing risk through an outcomes-based costing model.