Ben de Pelsmaeker with the award from Trends Gazelle 2013
E-commerce platform
"We've not just been sitting around in our company for the last few years," he continues. "Our customers are now able to order through a completely renewed E-commerce system. In 2006, Ben Fresh started with its first electronic ordering system. Now, a few years later, we are introducing our fourth generation of this E-commerce ordering system for our customers. It's not just an ordering system, it offers a variety of possibilities to suit the customer."
Over 350 customers use this system to place their orders simply, correctly and in 'no time' at all. The fruit and vegetable managers place their order though this renewed online system which is linked to Ben Fresh's order central. With the graphic presentation of their own fruit and vegetable department the customer can link the order of products in the ordering system to the layout of their own shop. The users confirm that this saves a considerable amount of time. Thanks to the same tool, available for our employees anywhere, the team can follow the orders exactly. Accounting for the history and ordering behaviour of the customer, order suggestions and trend analysis's can be made. Templates can also be made or altered for certain periods or seasons.
The customers' reactions are very enthusiastic. It's a huge time saver for them to order like this. The big advantage is also that they can use the new E-system on any platform, from pc to tablet. It's so user friendly, that pretty much anyone can place an order. It's almost impossible to make mistakes. We, as Ben Fresh, can also easily communicate through this system ourselves. Through the information kiosk certain promos and new products can be suggested to the customer. The customer can look at these, and possibly order them. District officers can also "benchmark": compare their purchasing behaviour to similar colleagues. This brings out very interesting statistics. The new system also means that we know our customers' purchasing behaviour well. We go that extra mile. We really want to get the know the customers' fruit and vegetable habits better than they know themselves. This system will never be finished, we will continue to develop it."
A lot used to be ordered by phone or by fax. Due to the automatic system we are realising a shift in our commercial department which means our people can focus on our customers, to help them even more.
Temperature control
Another innovation is our temperature control. In 2012 we are the first and only ones in Belgium fitted with doors with fully automatic temperature control. It is a system in which lorries which do not have the exact desired cooling temperature, are automatically declined.
Voice-Picking, social space and cross-docking platforms
In 2013 Ben Fresh will invest in optimising its warehouse management and introduce voice picking. The order pickers will collect and process the orders through voice recognition. The employees hands and eyes will remain free, which will increase the productivity and the quality level.
As we, as a company, find the well being of our employees very important, a completely new social area will be taken into use in April 2013, where they can meet informally, discuss or eat lunch."
In the area of transport there is collaboration with European Food Transport. "Every day we supply fresh and cool foods to the retail in Belgium through our partner in transport. To support this activity we have a cross-docking platforms in Rumbeke and Sint-Katelijne-Waver. This makes the transport more efficient and flexible. With everything that we do within Ben Fresh, quality is the priority. Therefore, we have the necessary quality certificates. We continue to develop constantly, in all kinds of area, to keep on working on the success of our customers. That's why our new slogan is : "stressless freshness'. As a customer you can rest assured. Your daily fresh product will be delivered just fine, stressless!"
In the area of transport there is collaboration with European Food Transport. "Every day we supply fresh and cool foods to the retail in Belgium through our partner in transport. To support this activity we have a cross-docking platforms in Rumbeke and Sint-Katelijne-Waver. This makes the transport more efficient and flexible. With everything that we do within Ben Fresh, quality is the priority. Therefore, we have the necessary quality certificates. We continue to develop constantly, in all kinds of area, to keep on working on the success of our customers. That's why our new slogan is : "stressless freshness'. As a customer you can rest assured. Your daily fresh product will be delivered just fine, stressless!"
For more information:
Ben Fresh NV
Oevel – Westerlo
Hugo Walbers
T. +32 14 258470
E. [email protected]
W. www.benfresh.be
