New services
He sees a development in stricter regulation in the area of food safety and traceability. "Transparency and traceability are the pillars for the next few years. As of recently we are offering the new service LiteTraxx, an integrated 'shipping platform' in collaboration with Locus Traxx. The monitoring technology comes from Locus Traxx and the softwareplatform, the expertise in shipping, treatment and distribution of perishables from foodcareplus."
Few surprises on arrival
Vertical integration in the fruit and vegetable sector is increasing and this is what the new system plays into. "The LiteTraxx platform ensures that the products are checked from the source and all information on the products is available before they arrive at their destination. At the moment there are regularly parties of goods that turn out not be as high quality as expected on arrival. This is why this has to be checked from the started, maintained en route and perhaps adjusted. There will be few surprises upon arrival this way. We have an organising role for all parts of the chain. Once it gets going it will ensure huge savings and a lot less claims from the other side. We will be sending 'eyes' along with them."
Creating awareness
He doesn't think that everyone in the fruit and vegetable sector is ready for the changes. "We have to create awareness that the 'old' system won't work as well in the future. Someone has to take the lead in this and we at foodcareplus see it as our mission to prepare the sector for the increasing direct souring. Partially through this platform, direct agreements can be made with overseas growers, where as the 'old' model had more links between grower and retailer. It is possible that companies will drop out due to the increasing direct sourcing, but exporters and importers with added value will be able to play into this situation." Steve emphasises that foordcareplus opens it platform completely to exporters, importers, traders and retailers.
Upcoming projects
There are a lot of projects planned for the coming months. "Together with the NAO and Universiteit Wageningen we will be participating in a project in the area of potato logistics. We are also still busy with a 'mini insurance' for the sector, in which the exporter is covered against cost for returns or destruction. This insurance can cover shippers when loads are refused or cannot be imported upon arrival. Thousands of Euro can be saved if something goes wrong with the transaction." foodcareplus is also working on a project for sweet potatoes. "They often have quality problems and we are going to launch a services that ensures these products have a shelf life of a week to ten days longer."
Fruit and vegetables sector
In 2006 foodcareplus started in the fruit and vegetable sector with a project for BFV: transporting pears to China. In 2007 the logistics of potatoes was added and the package continue to expand. "We expect to grow even more in the sector over the next few years. We are resistant to swings, as we serve multiple sectors." Steve names a few more things he thinks will change. "Everything has to be faster and better. We as foodcareplus don't believe in an office network in various countries, but all want to be active on the same platform." The container sector isn't sitting still either. "In a few years ripening fruit will be standard during the journey. Sea freight can't go faster, but the capacity per ship will increase. We can transport more in the same time."
Per product group
An important goal for the company is to continue immersing themselves in each product group. Managing director Gaëtan de Schepper concludes: "Many in the sector claim to offer one service, but we believe in service to size. Of course there are similarities in different sectors, but we have to know every sector and stay up to date. We depart from the need of each commodity separately."
For more information:
Steve Alaerts
foodcareplus
T: +32-3-2429154
F: +32-3-2481167
s.alaerts@foodcareplus.com
www.foodcareplus.com