The Netherlands is seeing explosive growth in the number of XXL warehouses, but is bigger always better? The answer: not from an internal logistics perspective. Extra steps are necessary to ensure an efficient warehouse set-up and keep costs under control. ‘XXL’ refers to warehouses bigger than 40,000 square meters. That number seems to have been...

Today’s world of logistics is more dynamic than ever. The shift from offline retail to e-commerce is opening up countless exciting opportunities, but at the same time the sector is coming under close scrutiny in connection with greenhouse gas emissions. The latest logistics-related developments and challenges were discussed during a Round Table Session featuring...

Companies that are involved in e-commerce or omnichannel retailing are advised to start giving automation some serious thought, according to Dirk Becks. “In view of future challenges such as the pressing labor shortage, the ever-changing e-commerce market and rising customer expectations, automation and material handling will play an increasingly important role in logistics.”

There is no question that material handling systems such as shuttles, pocket sorters and Autostore achieve a high output. However, people tend to forget that such a system forms part of the bigger picture, and that it is necessary to make health & safety and facilities-related adaptations to the building too (whether it is...

Countless parcels are shipped every day. Many of these products pass through a complex logistics cycle as they are transported from the retailer to the consumer – including home delivery, if possible. As a result of e-commerce growth, we will see an explosive increase in the number of parcel shipments over the coming years....

Whereas, a couple of years ago, companies in the logistics sector had at best formulated an omnichannel vision, today that vision is actually becoming reality. In a warehouse, logistics flows are increasingly intertwined and companies are taking a much more integral approach. Now, words really have been turned into deeds.” And that is producing a...

Numerous developers are finally daring to take the risk of constructing new logistics real estate once more. Now that the economy is growing again and the need for storage space is rising rapidly, property developers are initiating new-build warehouse projects without necessarily having a tenant lined up. That was less of a problem in...

In food retail, collaboration between supply chain partners has been the topic of fervent discussion for many years. Although everyone is aware of the benefits, there are still very few examples of supply chain collaboration in practice. It’s now time to change all that. Supply chain collaboration is more important than ever before, not least...

Warehouses are the source of a wealth of data that is still severely under-utilized, according to Rob Wijnen, Senior Consultant and Data Specialist at Groenewout. He presents five steps to help companies get more out of their logistics data without needing cost-intensive and complex tools. The importance of data in optimizing processes and performance needs...

Mega distribution centers for e-commerce seem to be popping up everywhere. Despite rising levels of mechanization, such distribution centers still often employ hundreds of people. The sheer size of these facilities can lead to labor shortages on the local job market. Therefore, in the battle for the right people, one weapon is becoming ever-more...