Logistics service provider International Distribution Partners has been active for over 15 years in the port of Antwerp. Luc Adriaensen, sales manager at IDP, says that the company specializes in fresh fruit and nuts. "We offer the full range of logistics services related to import, as well as export." The IDP warehouse is recognized as a bonded warehouse type C, and recognized by the FAVV as 'First checkpoint upon entry into the EC.' "We want to offer a full concept, so that all products can go to their destination as soon as possible."
Fruit and nuts
He says they can transport, handle and store every fruit variety. "We have 17 cold rooms, so IDP can provide 17 different temperatures. Everything is stored on pallet level, with each pallet being individually accessible." For the import of fruit, IDP mainly works for European importers, with nuts also for exporters from the production regions. "We keep stock from foreign producers here. When it comes to varieties, it's mainly peanuts and pistachios."
Every minute counts
Through the years, the fruit column in the company has kept growing. "Over 10 years ago, the container was really on the up and up, and we responded to that. We are located right at the edge of the port. Here, storage, handling, inspection, clearance and shipment of the products takes place. Transport from the port to the warehouses is organized internally. Our agents very carefully track the container arrivals, so we're able to collect our fruit containers immediately after the ship arrives. We know the requirements of the fruit importers, every minute counts. That's why we manage that part of the logistics operation ourselves. The transit from here to the final destination also partly takes place with our own cooling trucks, depending on the customers' wishes. They can also opt to have the container shipped straight from the port, 'door to door'." Besides fruit and nuts, IDP also deals with stocking and order-picking and distribution for a rice and pasta producer.
Overseas supplies not decreasing
According to Luc, at the moment it's not noticeable that overseas countries are exporting less to Europe. "There's supposedly a downward trend, but volume-wise that's not immediately noticeable, and I think we won't see that either. Overseas producers are producing more, and the surplus produced isn't going to Europe, that's the trend. The Middle East and Far East are attractive markets. With nuts, it's different, the volume of nuts can't be adjusted as quickly, it's not possible to respond to change in demand that fast. On average, it takes seven years to increase the volume. As service providers, there's little we can do to influence the market, but we do have the know-how. The close relations with customers, and us thinking along the same lines as them is appreciated, and we uphold that."
Potential
The future is hard to predict. "Competition is strong, it's a constant struggle. There is definitely potential, hopefully the first arrivals in Antwerp will go up, so we can expand our fruit market again. The past few years, Antwerp has missed several 'first calls' from overseas ships. This benefited Rotterdam. At the moment, it looks like these first arrivals will grow again in Antwerp."
Luc Adriaensen
"With the new supplies from South America, and the expected growth of South African export in the coming years, we definitely see potential. But we do have to keep in mind that we're working with a natural product. At the moment, we are eagerly awaiting the harvest of pistachios and peanuts in September. Our challenge is to offer our range of services in food spread out as much as possible, in order to limit risks." An expansion of the range, then, isn't precluded in the near future. "Our staff has a lot of experience in the fruit and veg sector, we are the eyes of the customer on arrival of the products in the port of landing. That expert eye, combined with a relationship of trust, is of great importance to us and our customers," Adriaensen concludes.
For more information:
Luc Adriaensen
International Distribution Partners
Zuidkaai 5
2170 Antwerpen - Belgium
T: +32 3 644 77 73
F: +32 3 644 77 63
www.idpartners.eu
adriaensen.l@idpartners.eu