In September 2013 Varekamp Coldstores relaunched themselves under the Kloosterboer group. Two and a half years later manager Willem Nowee is satisfied with the developments and he is confident in the future, "2015 was a good year; we broadened our client base and expanded our services, including our ripening activities. We can efficiently serve our customers with a wide range of services. I compliment the team that has worked so hard here!"
"Kloosterboer is a strong parent organization; a logistics service (neutrality guaranteed) with a complete range of services, a large network, and good synergy with various parts of the group so we can take the burden off our customers," says Willem. "An example would be the activities that Kloosterboer has started in South Africa. We can offer our customers a fully integrated refrigerated chain via a partner, a contact, a system, all in one bill."
"Within the group there is plenty of attention for multi-modal interaction, both with ground transport and sea, barge and rail transport. I see the realization of Cool Port Rotterdam as something that has strengthened the whole group. We receive large shipments in Rotterdam, and I expect that we can be of use for the extra flow of goods. Cool Port will appeal to the Kloosterboer group," expects Willem. "We are happy that we are growing again. We have vacancies in customer services and the warehouse again. We have a critical eye on the costs and we are very mindful of how we manage our personnel and energy."
26 refrigerated cells
Varekamp Coldstores has an 11,000 square meter business area, "With 18 docks and a 2,500 square meter refrigerated expedition area where we can quickly unload, cross-dock and load. We have access to over 7,000 pallet positions, each with its own location bar-code. Our 26 refrigerated cells have individual temperature settings (between -3 and 20°C), circulation, ventilation and humidity. Some of the cells even have underfloor heating for specific product requirements during refrigerated storage. Transparency is essential in our services; providing information that is continuously up-to-date via our web portal 'VCS Portal' and automatically sending email reports so that our customers are always kept up to date."
"The trade flows for fruit change and the crisis has left its mark. You can clearly see that companies are leaving less fruit in stock. The only solution is to bring in more business in order to maintain adequate utilization. We are seeing the import of exotic products like mangoes, avocados and pomegranates increase significantly. Our advantage is that we can optimally store specific products in one of our 26 refrigerated cells. For example, with products like ginger and sweet potatoes we can control the underfloor heating and the humidity."
Under one roof
"We offer customized services. The logistics needs of the customer determine the package of services that we put together. We focus on simplicity and cost saving. We offer all the service under one roof and all performed services are billed at once. Fortunately, these activities meet a need; there is growth again. There is only one way to go from here and that is forward," says Willem.
Varekamp Coldstores will be present at Fruit Logistica in Berlin in hall 25, A-01a
For more information:
Varekamp Coldstores
ABC Westland 444
2685 DE Poeldijk, NL
T +31(0) 174 412 790+31(0) 174 412 790
F +31(0) 174 418 577