Logistics developments in the pharmaceutical industry


In comparison with pioneering sectors such as FMCG, retail and electronics, the pharma industry is somewhat behind when it comes to logistics developments like Distribution Network Efficiencies and Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP). However, change is inevitable, since various developments currently underway in the pharmaceutical industry are making the logistics situation increasingly complex. The most...

Sprinkler systems in warehouses


No matter where they are in the world, virtually all reasonably sized warehouses have a sprinkler system. The reason they are so widespread is because sprinkler systems have been demonstrated to significantly reduce the risk of loss of buildings and their contents in the case of fire. The expected size of fire damage is...

Structural increase in vacant commercial premises


At the end of 2010, a total of 13.5 million square metres of commercial space was available to rent or buy in the Netherlands. According to NVM Business, this represents an increase of 13% since the end of 2009. DTZ Zadelhoff lists slightly different statistics, but the trend is the same. Zooming in on...

Floor Bearing Capacity


In high school, the formula mentioned in the title is referred to as the Commutative property of multiplication. This formula is described as one of the important principles of arithmetic. By using this apparently simple looking formula, one of our customers achieved significant cost savings. The usual pallet racking with three pallets next to...

Sustainability in logistics real estate


The first association that most people make with logistics is transport and trucking. These words carry a somewhat more negative than positive connotation in relationship to the concept of sustainability. Warehousing is another key component of logistics and is just as much linked to the concept of logistics sustainability. This article examines the European...

Early Prevention reduces potential risks


A few weeks ago a Swedish pilot was arrested by Dutch police at Amsterdam-Schiphol International Airport for flying a commercial aircraft for 13 years with a fake licence. The 41-year-old pilot was about to fly a Corendon Airlines Boeing 737 from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, to Ankara-Esenboga Airport , Turkey, with 101 passengers on board when...

Why are distribution centers getting bigger and bigger?


The last 10 years has witnessed a trend in which distribution centers are getting bigger and bigger, especially Distribution Centers (DC's) of logistics service providers. But also to some extent private DC’s. It is questionable if this is always the best solution. There are without a doubt scale advantages associated with a DC of...

Eight possibilities of combining logistic efficiency and CO2 reduction


The current recession leads to the common idea that corporate social responsibility will besubordinated to efficiency again. How can companies, despite of the credit crunch, reducethe carbon footprint (CO2 emission) of their logistics? This article has been published on Logistiek.nl (Dutch version). If you should have any questions regarding Sales & Operations Planning please contact Alain Beerens.

Credit crunch and impact on the logistic real estate market


Barely a half year ago, Bart Vink of DTZ Zadelhoff concluded that logistical real estate was a “safe haven” in the Netherlands. DTZ went even so far to give this name to their own annual real estate report. However the developments of the past six months have radically challenged this conclusion and provided more...

Sales & Operations Planning process


Groenewout was honoured to speak at LogiCon in Brussels, Belgium on Feb 4th. This high quality conference is Europe’s longest running event for senior supply chain and logistics professionals in the FMCG and retail sector. Our principal consultant & partner, Alain Beerens, provided insight into the Critical Success Factors of Sales & Operations Planning....