The Story Behind SA's Trusted Courier Provider
In 1994, operating from Alberton, Johannesburg South, BEX Express was established with a clear purpose – to create a courier company in South Africa that helps businesses grow. Thirty-two years later, that same commitment continues to shape the business. Today, BEX operates a national network forged through hard work, consistency and people who understand that every delivery matters.
Much has changed over more than three decades, but the principles behind BEX have remained consistent. Invest in relationships. Deliver with care. Keep improving. Show up when clients need you.
A Network That Grew With Purpose
Growth at BEX has never been about expansion for its own sake. Every branch has opened in response to real client needs, strengthening our network and bringing BEX closer to the businesses that depend on our service.
Within months of opening, BEX established branches in Durban and Cape Town. Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) followed in 1996, Pretoria in 1999, East London in 2002, Bloemfontein in 2007, and Pietersburg (Polokwane) and Nelspruit (Mbombela) in 2010.
By this same time, the Johannesburg operation had outgrown its premises, leading to the move to our current Loper Avenue facility, where office and warehouse capacity doubled to support continued demand. Our George branch was opened in August 2024.
Each new location has represented more than geographic growth. It improved access, strengthened regional support, and gave businesses a courier partner with a growing national footprint. This measured approach to expansion remains part of BEX’s philosophy today.
Investing in the Tools Behind the Service
Reliable courier services depend on more than vehicles and routes; they depend on people who understand clients’ needs and systems designed around how real businesses operate.
Rather than relying on off-the-shelf software, BEX has invested in our own in-house team to develop our state-of-the-art system, INSIGHT, from the ground up. Clients benefit from API integrations with platforms such as Shopify and WooCommerce, while businesses with custom systems can be supported through tailored integrations developed for their specific operations.
The system includes powerful reporting to give clients real-time visibility into their deliveries. The same internal development team has also developed in-house route optimisation software, improving planning, increasing efficiency and helping deliveries move smarter.
This thinking extends beyond software. In 2006, we opened our own vehicle workshop, staffed by our own people, bringing servicing and repairs in-house. This reflects a simple belief – when you are responsible for delivering on behalf of your clients, the people and infrastructure that keep your fleet moving deserve the same attention as the deliveries themselves.
The People Behind the Story
Behind every branch, every vehicle, and every delivery is a team that has helped shape the BEX story over the past three decades.
The business has always centred on genuine partnerships, personalised service and leaders who remain actively involved in the day-to-day operation. Those values continue to define the client experience today.
My story began as BEX’s very first driver. I collected the company’s first vehicle, a Toyota Venture, and completed the first collection for our first client. Waybill number 100001 marked the beginning of a journey that would see BEX grow into a national courier network while staying grounded in the same commitment to dependable service.
As the business has expanded, so have our people, and so has my role as Managing Director. BEX welcomed its 100th employee in 2007, its 200th in 2010, and currently employs over 250 team members. Each milestone represents more than growth in numbers; it reflects the relationships, experience, and dedication that continue to drive the business forward.
Continuing to Evolve
While BEX’s foundations were laid in its early years, the business has never stood still.
Continued investment in technology, infrastructure, fleet management, and operational systems have enabled BEX to evolve alongside the businesses we serve. As eCommerce has grown, so too have our integration capabilities and digital solutions, helping clients manage increasingly complex logistics with greater visibility and control.
Our commitment to continuous improvement has also been recognised by the industry. In 2024, BEX was awarded the PMR.africa Golden Arrow Award for Domestic and International Courier Services. The following year, BEX received the PMR.africa Diamond Arrow Award, the highest level of recognition within the PMR.africa framework, reflecting market leadership, service excellence and sustained consistency.
For BEX, these milestones are not destinations – they are reminders that improvement has always been part of the journey.
Services Shaped by Real Business Needs
As businesses have evolved, so has the BEX service offering.
From domestic express deliveries and overnight courier services to cross-border freight and international logistics, every solution has been developed with the same principle that has guided the company since 1994. Understand what clients need today while creating the capability to support where they are going tomorrow.
Thirty-Two Years, and Still Delivering
BEX Express did not reach 32 years by standing still.
It grew one client at a time. One branch at a time. One employee at a time. One delivery at a time.
What started in a garage in Alberton has become a trusted logistics partner serving businesses across South Africa. Along the way, we have invested in our people, technology, and our network, while remaining focused on the values that have defined us from the beginning.
Thirty-two years on, BEX Express continues to do what it set out to do in 1994. Deliver reliable service, build lasting partnerships, and help businesses move forward, one delivery at a time.
