Brezan achieves more turnover with less stock


An interview with Mr Peter Meyer, supply chain director at Brezan in Ede (The Netherlands), by Marcel te Lindert Auto parts distributor Brezan, with a network of 127 sales outlets across The Netherlands, is keen to get even more out of its nationwide coverage. It has embarked on an ambitious project to raise its service...

Forbo: Productivity increase following successful WMS implementation


An interview with Mr Kees van de Lagemaat, manager logistics, and Mr Urban Deering, manager ICS, from Forbo Flooring in Assendelft, The Netherlands. Forbo Flooring decided to develop its own new warehouse management system (WMS) for its new distribution center in the Dutch town of Assendelft. After a very smooth construction process, however the go-live...

Sapa streamlines its warehousing activities


An interview with Peter Bergs, Hub manager SAPA In order to remain competitive in a stagnating construction market, Sapa Building Systems, manufacturer of aluminium windows, doors and conservatory systems, decided to take its efficiency to the next level. The first phase of Sapa’s continuous improvement programme involved a detailed assessment of the warehousing operations...

New DC underlines Vos Logistics’ continued growth


An interview with Toine van Gils, director of contract logistics at Vos Logistics in Oss, The Netherlands.  Vos Logistics will be opening another brand new distribution center in Oss, The Netherlands, on 1 October this year. The logistics service provider has signed a 7-year lease on the sustainably designed facility, from where it will be...

New cross-docking center for Forbo


An interview with Mr. Kees van de Lagemaat, logistics manager at Forbo Flooring in Assendelft (The Netherlands) by Marcel te Lindert Until recently, each of Forbo Flooring’s 12 factories shipped their completed orders directly to the relevant customers. As a result, clients would sometimes receive as many as six different trucks at once, all delivering...

Stryker expands its Venlo operation


An interview with Mr. Niek Dudink, director of the Central Distribution Center Europe at Stryker in Venlo (The Netherlands) by Marcel te Lindert. Stryker is growing at a considerable pace, not only autonomously but also thanks to its proactive acquisition strategy. In January 2011, for instance, this supplier of medical devices and medical equipment acquired...

New DC for Forever Living products


A state-of-art distribution center, covered in metallic gold, has risen in Oud-Gastel, close to Roosendaal, The Netherlands. Now, Forever Living Products will be able to support its Distributors in more than 90 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa more effectively and more efficiently than ever before. Groenewout is proud to have supported Forever...

New DC for Hitachi Data Systems


An interview with mr. Paul Dalderop, director European logistics of Hitachi Data Systems in Waardenburg (The Netherlands) by Marcel te Lindert. In 2011, having continued to grow year on year despite the financial crisis, Hitachi Data Systems decided to build a new European distribution centre in Zaltbommel, The Netherlands. Groenewout designed the layout for the...

Consolidation within Stemcor leads to lean and flexible supply chain


An interview with Robert van der Weck, group stockholding director at Stemcor in Düsseldorf (Germany) by Marcel ter Lindert. Stemcor is the world’s largest independent steel-trading company. As the company has grown by acquisition, its Northwest-European supply chain is highly fragmented. Stemcor initially planned to change that by investing in a new transit centre in...

Spandex saves five percent on its transport costs in Europe and Australia


An interview with Mr. Ulf Schrader, executive director supply chain at Spandex in Achern (Germany) by Marcel te Lindert. After being acquired by a Dutch private equity fund, Spandex, an international distributor in the sign-making and specialty graphics industries, decided to re-examine its transport and distribution activities. The company asked Groenewout to identify potential cost-saving...