Since last week, Lorre has relocated to a new site. Moving from warehouse 39-40, the Flemish importer has shifted to nearby warehouse 27 at the European Centre in Brussels. "With an extra floor, we can now ideally separate the packaging department from sales, increasing efficiency," explains Lorre's managing director, Laurent La Morella, who also introduced a new logo to mark the move.
"All in all, everything went quite smoothly," he continues. "We had planned everything well in advance. Of course, there are always things that don't go as expected, leading to minor delays, but the most important thing is that neither our customers nor our suppliers were affected. We were also able to work late into the evening and over the weekend, which was a big advantage. Some customers needed time to adjust to the new location, but by now, everyone has found their way to our new warehouse, and we have received only positive feedback."
The entrepreneur is relieved that the move is now behind them. "The warehouse may be slightly smaller in terms of surface area, but with an extra floor, we can effectively separate packaging from sales, which makes a significant difference in efficiency. Moreover, we now meet all certification requirements again, as we operate in a very clean environment. Additionally, it is much more convenient for customers, as they now have a clear overview of the entire product range with sales located in a single room."
"To create different temperatures for various products, we use roller gates and a roller blind, which can be neatly rolled up after sales hours," Laurent explains. "Finally, we now have a dedicated unloading dock, which makes things much easier for both suppliers and customers. Being closer to the car park also allows us to ensure faster deliveries for our customers."
Higher prices due to geopolitical situation
The move comes just in time for the peak demand around Ramadan, which began on 28 February. "During Ramadan, we see demand rise every year. This year, it has increased slightly compared to last year. However, although premium dates are of very high quality, their availability is limited. We are also seeing lower volumes in lower-quality grades, but fortunately, we can offset some of that shortage this year as we are also receiving Medjoul dates from other origins. Still, demand is significantly higher than last year. This is partly due to the situation in Israel and partly due to potential U.S. import duties putting pressure on the market. Ultimately, this will lead to higher prices compared to last year. We will have to wait and see how the market responds."
For some additional volumes, it will be a matter of waiting for the new South African harvest. "That is expected from April, provided there are no delays. The harvest is projected to be similar to last year, with the thicker sizes once again in limited supply."
For more information:
Laurent La Morella
Lorre
Werkhuizenkaai 112-154 mag. 27
1000 Brussels, Belgium
+32 (0)479 977 328
[email protected]
www.bingonuts.be