After graduating from school, I started to work for a very small international transport company specialized in fruit and vegetables to Germany and France. With a small team we managed to build this company up to a major player in the Market," explains Hans Janssen from LPB.
"The specialism was that it offered grouped shipments and, after Germany and France, we added England, Italy, Switzerland and Spain. I am proud to say that together with a number of transport companies from the Westland area in Holland, we were the founders of groupage services that now, after 50 years, is still an example for the whole of Europe and beyond. There is no country in Europe that can offer a system like the one we still have in Holland today
"After 13 Years, I made the switch from one of the largest forwarders in Europe to become responsible for setting up and developing new markets. We started with a weekly groupage service to Paris. Quickly after the United Kingdom followed. Thereafter offices were opened in Spain and Portugal and the number of branches in France increased. The final result was that we loaded around 250 groupage trucks per week throughout Europe.
"The company was then sold to come a public company and very soon it was clear to me that it was very hard to work for a public company having served family companies for so many years. All the public affairs and rulings were difficult for me and a good reason to leave.
It was a fantastic time in which I had learned a lot and with all the experience and knowledge, I decided to create LBP in 1994.
"We started with a team of around 10 people. I started to travel the world and learned that there was a huge potential for exotic fruits. I also experienced during these travels that there was a need amongst exporters to transport their fresh fruit with the option to ship to different receivers. That was a challenge that we took on and it brought LBP to where we are today.
A lot has happened since. LBP was the first to follow this route and 'has taught a lot of monkeys how to climb…' We have invested significantly in IT systems, and still are, allowing our clients to be able to receive all required data via a website system. Arrivals, stock, customs declarations, quality control reports, packing, distribution and administration, all of these topics can be found by our clients in the system that was built by ourselves. Listening to what is happening in the market in combination with the needs of our clients are the strengths of LBP and the systems we created. The past years we have also invested heavily in packing lines, at LBP you can always find the latest developments in equipment. We have a state-of-the-art blueberry packing line now also completed with a new TOP SEAL machine enabling us to close the punnets with a foil instead of a lid. All with a label or print of the client, if so desired.
"We are also installing a brand new multifunctional packing line that will predominantly be used for packing of grapes but can also be used for many other packings. LBP has always tried to be on top of the latest developments and will continue to be so.
"After 50 Years of very hard work there comes a time to step back. My health is not getting any better and it is time to slow down and enjoy some more time off. In 2017 we worked hard to strengthen the organisation, in which we succeeded. All departments are professionally manned so this allows me to hand over the management of the Company in full confidence.
The future of LBP will be handed over to 4 fantastic Managers supported by a great team.
As of January 1st 2018 the management of LBP will be carried out by:
1. Francois Havinga as CEO – responsible for all Finances
2. Anton Filippo as CCO – known to most of you, and with LBP since 2003, will be taking full responsibility of all commercial matters
3. Jasper Karbaat as CIO – with LBP since 2002 and responsible for our IT systems, will continue to be responsible for IT
4. Donnie van den Berg – as COO, started in his free time as a student with LBP and has now grown to be our Operations Manager.
The major part of the LBP shares will be allotted to these managers and part of it will remain in the family.
The following Superintendents will support the management:
Mr. B.S. Algra, who has been LBP accountant for 23 Years, so he knows the ins-and-outs of LBP
Mr. A.J. Janssen, known to all of you, Founding Father of LBP.
"With a lot of confidence, my family and me look at the future of LBP under this new Management.
"Along this road, I would like to say thank you all very much indeed for the confidence that I have enjoyed from you all. May I wish you all, all the best for a prosperous future in Good Health and I count on your continuous support with LBP.
Best of luck to you all.
Hans
hja@lbp.net sales@lbp.net