Syngenta Young plants (part of SGS) produces and distributes young plants. ​ Seeds and cutlings are cultivated to young plants in greenhouses. They are directly grown into dedicated trays. After about 3 weeks the young plants are harvested and forwarded to the Distribution Center in De Lier, the Netherlands. The trays with young plants, which are stacked per type/batch, are picked by a team of operators. The picked trays are sorted on destination in the right stacking sequence with the use of an automated conveyor...

SoLow is a retail formula for fun shopping with shops in the Netherlands (45), Belgium (2) and a webshop. From their central DC in Culemborg shops are supplied 1-2 times a week.           ​ Opportunities SoLow has ambitious growth plans which can not be realized in the existing DC.​ ​ Solution Analyses on warehouse and transport data;​ Center of gravity analysis and evaluation alternative distribution solutions;​ Capacity calculation for storage and order fulfillment solution;​ Feasibility study on alternative warehouse concepts;​ Detailed design of optimal warehouse concept.​ Benefits Clear view on optimal distribution structure to manage future growth / extra shops and it’s geographical expansion;​ Clear view...

DSG Fulfilment is a large distributor of building materials. Their warehouse in Zaandam specializes in plywood and decorative sheets and panels. The delivery market is mainly the Netherlands with a growing Belgian market.  Opportunities DSG fulfilment has grown over the past years exceeding the storage and handling capacity of their current DC. This has created an inefficient lay-out with amongst others increased driving distances. ​ The management of DSG Fulfilment wanted to investigate the feasibility of a new DC on a new site and...

Atlas Copco PTD in Hoeselt (BE) distributes spare parts for several business units of Atlas Copco. Due to growth and adding a new business unit in 2023, the current warehouse has become too small.​        Opportunities Atlas Copco would like to compare several expansion scenarios on the existing site. Also in scope is optimization of the warehouse processes, looking at different mechanization options.​ Solution Many different scenarios were developed. It became very soon  clear that mechanization was beneficial for order picking of small goods and that large goods should remain...

The Rotterdam Polymer Hub (RPH) is part of the Euro-Rijn Group, which is a global logistics service provider. RPH is located at the Maasvlakte and is specialized in the storage and handling of polymer products. Opportunities RPH identified that they had reached their maximum handling capacity for incoming and outgoing trucks, while their storage utilization was relatively low. For a logistics service provider this equals missed revenues, as a large part of their business model is to rent storage services. To eliminate this...

FN Steel, HQ in the Netherlands, is a producer of untreated wire rod and drawn wire with a focus on customization for markets such as automotive, construction, tooling and engineering.  FN Steel has in-house production (pickling, annealing, drawing) and warehousing facilities.​ ​ Opportunities FN Steel was facing a tremendous business growth. In order to meet customer demand, FN Steel asked Groenewout to investigate the required warehousing capacity of their new to-be-built warehouse. After completion of the capacity study, FN Steel asked Groenewout to validate the output...

Thermo Fisher Scientific is a US supplier of scientific instrumentation, reagents and consumables, and software services based in Massachusetts. Thermo Fisher was formed through the merger of Thermo Electron and Fisher Scientific in 2006. Annual revenue in 2021 was $39 billion. ​ Opportunities In order to meet the business forecast, ThermoFisher is continuously expanding and optimizing their warehousing and handling capacity. One of the ideas was to automate the manual packing process by implementing an End-of-Line Print & Apply solution (P&A). ThermoFisher asked Groenewout to elaborate a high-level conceptual design of the best-fitted P&A solution...

Intermarché Belgium (ITM) has 78 stores in Wallonia and is growing fast. Replenishment of the stores was done via 2 distribution centers and partly directly from suppliers. The logistics operations had difficulties to keep up with the growth. During the study ITM acquired 86 stores of Mestdagh (Carrefour franchise stores) including their main warehouse.     ​ Opportunities What is the optimal supply chain footprint and warehouse infrastructure considering:​ Dry, fresh, frozen, fruit & vegetables, meat, bread​ Mechanization opportunities​ Keep current warehouse(s), expansion or greenfield​ (In)Direct transportation to stores​ ...

Euro-Rijn XL is a part of the Euro-Rijn Group which is a global logistics service provider and specialized in the non-food retail sector. They take care of the entire logistics process of their customers (online) retail organizations, allowing them to focus on their core business. With over 350.000 square meters of warehouses in strategic locations, they are capable of handling large logistic operations.​ Opportunities Since Euro-Rijn XL is passionate about improving their operational processes for their customers, they asked Groenewout to help...

Biobest is an expert in pollination and biological control. Among other things they are specialized in the production and transport of live insects and mites. These help agricultural organizations around the globe to apply effective pest control strategies. These insects are produced in Morocco and shipped to Belgium (replenishment) before they are processed, packed and distributed to the global market.    Opportunities Before insects are ready to be replenished to Biobest Belgian’s facility they must be produced in Morocco. Since it takes several months to grow the...