For the past four years, German-Dutch company Fresh Line Fruit Services GmbH has been expanding its activities on the international market. Every day, importers and exporters from all over Europe call to Nettetal (near the Venlo Fresh Produce Center) for support with the marketing of rejected and returned merchandise.
The Fresh Line management is seeing an interesting development at present: More and more often the company is functioning as an intermediary in the accommodation of surplus goods.This requires a completely unique approach, Managing Director Ümit Ayar explains.
Authorized Signatory Maria del Carmen Jiménez Alarcón and Managing Director Ümit Ayar in the office.
"Our reputation in the international market is growing, without question," says Ayar, not without some visible pride. The bulk of the clientele still consists of southern European exporters and sales cooperatives from Italy, Spain and Portugal. Every summer day, loads of stone fruits and watermelons are loaded here. If the transport is not of the desired quality or if the goods are denied for any other reason, the Fresh Line Fruit Services team comes into play.
Mediation for surplus goods
This immediate help with reclaimed merchandise has been the hallmark of the young company for the last few years. Now it is time for the next step, says Ayar. "We are witnessing a growing demand among Spanish suppliers, who want to move to Eastern Europe; mainly to Poland, Romania and Hungary. This target group in particular has an urgent need for appropriate partners in terms of transport and service and it needs our help. We have been able to establish a reliable network within a very short time," says Ayar with a hint of satisfaction.
Instead of a classic reclaimed goods trader, they company views itself as a service provider and go-between between exporters and importers. Ayar: "We tend not to wait until the goods are in the final stages of being rejected; most of the time, we are approached earlier. Spanish and Italian suppliers above all call us asking us if we can help them with the sale of surplus merchandise."
Growing market for soft fruits
At the product level, the internationally active company sees a rapidly growing market for soft fruits. This not only affects the southern European production areas (especially Spain and Portugal). Poland and the Balkan countries are also increasing the supply.
"Every minute counts in this product segment," the company confirms. In order to handle the growing number of inquiries in this area, the company intends to expand its capacity in the near future. "We are increasingly asked whether we can sort the goods ourselves, repackaging and distributing them immediately. That's why we would like to rent a production hall in the near future, ideally near our office in Nettetal," Ayar concludes.
For more information:Fresh Line Fruit Services GmbH
Leuther Straße 12
D-41334 Nettetal – Germany
Tel: +49 (0) 2157 1287 900
Fax: +49 (0) 2157 1287 901
Mob : +49 (0) 176 4219 3534
E - mail: info@fresh-line-services.de
Web Site: www.fresh-line-services.de