DL Fresh Logistics is a relatively young player in the fruit and vegetable branch (2012). They were using the storage and transshipment facilities in the former Roveg-building in Bleiswijk, and last year they were able to double their storage capacity. "We are in an upward trend," says plant manager Marco Pfaff. "In Bleiswijk we are relatively young, but we have more than twenty years of experience in storing refrigerated products, including fruit."
The company falls under the DL Logistics Group, which has six sites across the country. In addition to the branch in Bleiswijk the group has a cold (and freezer) storage in Hazerswoude. The imported fruit is stored in a 10,000 square meter refrigerator and freezer in Bleiswijk. The need to double the storage capacity was due to two new big clients that joined last year. "The property is very suitable for cross-docking containers, where the cargo must first be checked before it can be delivered to the customer. We have 18 docks for this," says Marco.
Marco Pfaff
Further, the tenants, Kohl Fruit Trading, FoxFruit, Suncity and BioTropic ensure the necessary occupation of the cooling capacity. "But our customers can be found throughout the country. We offer, not only storage and handling, but also additional services such as sorting, packaging, and quality control. We are not far from the port of Rotterdam, and we can offer trucking with our own automobiles. We can also provide our group clearance and ensure proper customs handling," says Marco.
"Generally, importers do not switch so quickly, but importers do spread their trade across various refrigerated sites. The quality and flexibility determine whether customers return. Therefore, nothing can be missing. We have a flat organization and a real no-nonsense mentality. If a customer wants their container loaded on a Saturday, then we make sure we are there. The hygiene is at the BRC Storage and Distribution level and we can also store organic products with our SKAL-certificate."
According to the branch manager, the biggest challenge is going to be achieving year-round proper utilization of the refrigerated cells. "But this also applies to the importers that participate in the season. It is inevitable that there will be times during the year when the cells are empty, at those times it would be advantageous to rent the space out when it is needed."
"Along with a special re-cooling and dry cell space, a ripening room was added last year that makes the fruit at our location 'ready to eat' so that it can be supplied to supermarkets and other customers," says Marco, who feels right at home in the fruit world. "I have worked in agricultural logistics for many years, but the dynamics of the fruit world is unparalleled."
"Along with a special re-cooling and dry cell space, a ripening room was added last year that makes the fruit at our location 'ready to eat' so that it can be supplied to supermarkets and other customers," says Marco, who feels right at home in the fruit world. "I have worked in agricultural logistics for many years, but the dynamics of the fruit world is unparalleled."
For more information:
DL Fresh Logistics
Klappolder 191-193
2665 MP Bleiswijk
Tel: 010-2587700
marco.pfaff@dl.nl
www.dl.nl