Having initially bought its first ever DAF XF 460 units in 2022, leading transport company, Valostar, has added ten new DAF XF 480 trucks to its growing fleet. Central to the continued investment in DAF is the truck’s reliability, driver comfort and, more importantly, fuel efficiency and ultimately lower total cost of ownership (TCO). Beyond the product, the company values the dependable aftermarket support from Babcock. 

Initially founded as Omeida Trading, Valostar has over the years evolved from a transport brokerage services business to become one of the formidable transport companies in South Africa, operating a large fleet of tautliners nationwide, keeping Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) moving reliably across the country.

“Omeida Trading began as a hands-on family business, with my husband, Jonathan Singh, operating our first vehicle while I managed the administrative and operational functions. As we grew, I focused on building strong customer relationships, which revealed a clear opportunity within the brokerage space,” explains Roueen Singh, one of the founders of the business.

This led to the establishment of Valostar in 2015, when the company began facilitating overflow loads. Through careful partner selection and relationship-building with reliable transporters, the brokerage expanded steadily.

In 2016, securing a contract with a blue-chip client marked a turning point for Valostar. It highlighted the need to strengthen its asset base, and in 2017 the company invested in its own fleet. This laid the foundation for its continued growth and operational capacity.

Having initially run other truck brands, Valostar made the decision to invest in its first ever five DAF XF 460 units in 2022. Over the years, these units proved themselves in all key aspects, including fuel efficiency, driver comfort and reliability. Beyond the product, Valostar was happy with the aftermarket service support from Babcock, the sole distributor of DAF Trucks in South Africa.

“One of the major attributes of the DAF truck is driver comfort. Our drivers quickly ‘fell in love’ with the truck. Prioritising driver comfort not only contributes to their well-being and job satisfaction, but it also helps reduce driver fatigue and enables better productivity,” explains Roueen.

Satisfied with the initial five trucks, the company has taken delivery of a further ten DAF units – this time opting for DAF XF 480 units. The new fleet forms part of a carefully planned replacement programme for the first five DAF units purchased in 2022 and other brands being phased out of the fleet.

“The new fleet has been deployed in tautliner breakbulk operations, servicing long-haul routes across South Africa. These vehicles play a critical role in ensuring reliable, efficient national distribution for our clients,” says Roueen.

Commenting on why the company is growing its DAF fleet, Roueen says reliability and fuel efficiency are key factors in the buying decision. In a highly competitive logistics environment, she says, operating costs and uptime are critical, and DAF consistently delivers on both fronts.

In addition, the structured trade-back and buy-back options offered by Babcock provide Valostar with confidence in managing the asset lifecycle, making DAF a strong long-term partner in the company’s growth strategy.

When making capital investments of this scale, Valostar takes a holistic view. Beyond the initial purchase, the company carefully evaluates after-sales support, maintenance structures and resale or buyback options. These factors are essential in ensuring operational continuity, cost control and long-term sustainability of the business.

“Our experience with Babcock has been very positive. The sales team demonstrated a strong understanding of our operational needs, and the after-sales support has been responsive and reliable – both of which are critical in our industry,” says Roueen.

“Our approach has always been centred on building sustainable partnerships – both with our clients and our suppliers. Investing in the right equipment and aligning with dependable partners such as DAF and Babcock allows us to maintain high service standards while continuing to grow in a competitive market. We are grateful for the partnership,” concludes Roueen.