After almost seventy years, the curtain will soon fall for Van Valen Groep in its current form. From May 1, Freshgard and Van Ooijen Transport will take over all business activities. All employees will also transfer over to the new owner. For the sister companies Freshgard and Van Ooijen, both specialised in the logistic processing of fruit and vegetables, the expansion is a new step in realising their vision of innovative and healthy logistics for the fruit and vegetable industry. The takeover also offers additional opportunities for Van Valen's customers.
Phased transition
The takeover will be carried out in phases, starting with the transport activities that will transfer to Van Ooijen Transport on 1 May 2020. Sister company Freshgard will carry out all warehousing, packaging and cross-dock activities with effect from 1 July 2020.
Finally, as of 1 July, all trading activities will be transferred to the newly established sister company, "Van Valen BV", which will continue to represent the trade branch from then on. General manager Arjan de Bruin: “The most important requirement from the current director, who will retire hereafter, was that all customers and employees could easily switch to a stable and reliable new owner. That wish was in line with our main focus on relationships with our clients and colleagues. Phased integration ensures that what is good can stay good. Although at the same time we naturally also have many ideas - and possibilities - to further expand that good. ”
New possibilities
For customers, the switch means that there are immediately more possibilities in the logistics processing of their fruit and vegetables. As far as transport is concerned, the service area is much larger and a whole new market is added with all major retailers in Belgium. Also the
larger and modern (conditioned) fleet of Van Ooijen has a positive effect on, among other things, responding to peak volumes.
For storage and overhaul, packing, repacking and packaging, and cross-docking, Freshgard in turn has broader facilities
available at its hub in Barendrecht, including eight different temperature zones in the warehouse and twelve loading and unloading docks.
Customers can also benefit from the Customs warehouse license and the fact that Freshgard is a KCB (Quality Control Bureau) inspection site is for phytosanitary inspections.
Guaranteeing the quality is of course by definition a requirement in an industry where you do not want to take any risk with fresh products. The fact that Freshgard / Van Ooijen takes this very seriously is also evident from the certification in accordance with (strict) international IFS standard and, for example, the tight figures in important measuring points such as on-time-in-full and temperature control. The transition also means a step forward for the customers in their own sustainability strategy.
De Bruin: “In addition to quality and reliability, sustainable entrepreneurship is the most important key concept for us. IT also plays a crucial role in this, for example in CO2 savings by preventing empty driving. ”
Yes is yes
De Bruin: “In this special time, in which almost nothing is 'normal' anymore due to the corona crisis, a change may seem exciting. Especially if you have been familiar with your current service provider or employer for years, sometimes even decades. But I can tell everyone that the work is continuing without a hitch and at least as well during and after the takeover period.
Constantly innovating with a fresh look and common sense, that is what we have been doing successfully for many years. And with our 'yes-is-yes mentality', I am sure that our new customers will experience the change as positive. ”
For more information, please contact:
Arjan de Bruin
Freshgard
+31 (0) 6 - 105 623 60
[email protected]
www.freshgard.nl
