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The Northern Netherlands focuses on sustainable innovations
CEO Foreword
Dear Reader,
The Northern Netherlands regularly takes a leading position in sustainable innovations. This is certainly the case for companies that are located at GETEC.PARK EMMEN, an industry park in the northern Dutch city of Emmen. BASF 3D Printing Solutions, for example, is located here. BASF 3DPS is one of the leading companies in the world in the development and manufacturing of sustainable and innovative 3D printing materials. Oldenburger|Fritom recently had an interview with Bonne Posthuma, Director of Operations at BASF 3DPS. We asked him why they chose us as their logistics partner.
The Emmen branch of the NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences is only a stone's throw away from GETEC.PARK EMMEN. Various courses are offered here, including Logistics Management. This course, which has been voted the best of its kind in the Netherlands on several occasions, focuses on supply chain sustainability. Students can turn to Oldenburger|Fritom for project assignments. You can read about the assignment that four students carried out at our location in Veendam.
This time our recurring feature “The world around us” is about the increase of industrial producer prices in the euro area. In 2022 these producer prices have, on average, increased by no less than 34.4 percent compared to 2021. The reasons for this are the rising energy costs, raw material costs and wage costs.
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Finally, next Saturday, the derby between the northern Dutch football clubs FC Groningen and FC Emmen will take place for the second time this season. Prior to the match, Oldenburger|Fritom is organizing a CSR & Sustainability event during which we offer a platform to Top Dutch Solar Racing. This northern Dutch student team is building a solar car to participate in the World Solar Challenge in Australia. You can read more about it in this newsletter.
I wish you much reading pleasure.
Sincerely,
René Dale |
‘Our partnership is a good basis for a sustainable future’
What started with demand for logistics space has led to a sustainable partnership. Since 2020, Oldenburger|Fritom takes care of the logistics processes of BASF 3D Printing Solutions in Emmen. This allows them to focus on their core business: developing and manufacturing sustainable and innovative 3D printing materials, so-called filaments for 3D printers. We recently asked Bonne Posthuma, Director of Operations at BASF 3DPS, how he experiences our cooperation.
Our first contact took place at the end of 2019. You contacted us because you were looking for more logistics space. Not long after that, you chose to outsource your logistics processes, i.e., transport, warehousing and value added services, to us. What played a decisive role in this choice?
“In my previous position (Supply Chain Manager at BASF in the northern Dutch city of Heerenveen, eds.) I was already familiar with the Fritom Logistic Solutions Group. This experience taught me that agreements are kept and that a suitable solution is found for most of the challenges. This previous positive experience was confirmed at Oldenburger|Fritom.
In addition, our cooperation is characterized by mutual trust and integrity. This is of great importance to BASF 3DPS. With value added services, for example, you make adjustments to our finished products. If this is not done properly, it will not reflect well on our company. Your focus on quality has, therefore, certainly played a decisive role in our choice. We are satisfied with the logistic solutions of Oldenburger|Fritom.”
BASF's mission statement is “We create chemistry for a sustainable future”. Sustainable entrepreneurship and innovation are also anchored in the Oldenburger|Fritom strategy. Does our strategy fit well with yours?
“The core values of Oldenburger|Fritom are very similar to those of BASF 3DPS. Indeed, the high degree of innovation and we both consider sustainability to be of paramount importance. Just like BASF 3DPS, you also invest heavily in your employees. This ensures, among other things, that employees are strongly involved in both our organizations.”
What are your expectations for the future with regard to our partnership?
“Due to the strong growth of BASF 3DPS and our focus on professionalization, we made a conscious choice to outsource our logistics processes to you. As mentioned earlier, we are satisfied with your logistic solutions. BASF 3DPS operates in a market that is relatively young and dynamic. That is why we attach great value to a logistics partner who thinks along with us and supports us in this. This makes our partnership a good basis for a sustainable future.”
 Founded in 1865, BASF is one of the world's leading chemical companies and is headquartered in Ludwigshafen am Rhein, in the southwest of Germany. Within the BASF Group, approximately 111,000 employees in more than 90 countries work on innovative products for a sustainable future. BASF wants to contribute to solving global challenges, such as climate change, scarcity of raw materials and food availability.
BASF has several branches in the Netherlands, including BASF 3D Printing Solutions in Emmen, which was acquired from Innofil3D in 2017. BASF 3DPS is located at the industry park GETEC.PARK EMMEN and is part of BASF Forward AM, with headquarters in Heidelberg, Germany. In Emmen, BASF 3DPS develops and manufactures filaments that are branded “Ultrafuse” under the BASF brand Forward AM.
Students conduct research into redesign warehouse process
Sustainability in supply chains is an important part of the Logistics Management course at the NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences in Emmen. The (re)design of a future-proof warehouse process is an example of this. In that context, four students started a process redesign project at Oldenburger|Fritom last September. Celine Haak, Irene Hartman, Devon Smit and Mark Veenstra spent three months conducting research into a sustainable redesign of one of our warehouse processes.
“In what way can automation and robotization contribute to the efficiency of Oldenburger|Fritom's warehousing activities?” That was the central research question of the project assignment that students Celine, Irene, Devon and Mark started last September. To answer this main question, they applied the DMADV method. This method stems from Design for Six Sigma and consists of the following main phases:
- Define
- Measure
- Analyze
- Design
- Verify
The difference between the DMADV method and the DMAIC method used by Oldenburger|Fritom, Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control, is that DMAIC is used for the continuous improvement of existing processes. The DMADV method is used for (re)designing new processes.
AutoStore
In the initial phase of their project assignment, the students investigated six different systems for the automation and robotization of our warehousing activities. This included the use of drones and an automatic packaging machine. In consultation with us, the AutoStore system was chosen after the analyzing phase according to the DMADV method.
AutoStore is an automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS), that is particularly suitable for fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) in e-fulfillment processes. The system is known worldwide for its innovative cube storage technology. The grid of AutoStore is an aluminum framework containing storage bins. The robots, that move over the grid, are controlled by smart software. They pick up the bins with the required products and transport them to the workstations.
Innovative sustainability
For the redesign of our e-fulfillment process with AutoStore, the students received a dataset from us. They used this data to conduct research into the required storage capacity, seasonal influences and process steps for order picking with AutoStore. Based on this, Celine, Irene, Devon and Mark have drawn up a business case in which they have also calculated the return on investment (ROI). Last December they completed their assignment and presented both the results of their research and their recommendations.
Celine Haak, Devon Smit, Irene Hartman and Frans Andeweg (Absent: Mark Veenstra)
In summary, the students concluded that the application of AutoStore indeed contributes to the efficiency. In different areas. For example, several steps can be removed from the order picking process, so that we can deploy our employees more efficiently. In addition, Autostore allows to achieve a much higher storage density. The system has a 75 percent minimizing storage footprint. Furthermore, the robots can operate without lighting and heating and they are extremely energy efficient. They utilize regenerative energy by returning power to the battery.
Celine, Irene, Devon and Mark, our compliments for the professional execution of this assignment and thank you again for your valuable insights for our organization.
 The world around us
Increase industrial producer prices
The industrial producer prices in the euro area rose sharply in 2022. The reasons for this are the rising energy costs, raw material costs and wage costs. According to Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, industrial producer prices in the euro area have, on average, increased by no less than 34.4 percent compared to 2021.
Not only did the gas prices rise sharply due to the Russia-Ukraine war, but also the costs for various types of materials such as wood, steel and other raw materials. In addition, wage costs have also risen sharply and collective labor agreements were concluded with wage increases.
As a result, industrial manufacturers saw and see themselves forced to raise prices to compensate for the increased costs. This not only concerns energy, but also consumer goods, cars, white goods and factory machines. The average increase in industrial producer prices across the European Union was 34.3 percent last year compared to 2021.
CSR & Sustainability event in the Euroborg stadium
Next Saturday, the Euroborg football stadium will be the backdrop for the second Hondsrug derby this season: the match between the northern Dutch football clubs FC Groningen and FC Emmen. This time, too, the Century Car Group and Oldenburger|Fritom are the proud partners of the derby. Prior to the match, Oldenburger|Fritom is organizing a CSR & Sustainability event together with the FC Groningen in Society Foundation. In addition, we offer a platform to the Top Dutch Solar Racing team.
Oldenburger|Fritom is a social partner of the FC Groningen in Society Foundation. This foundation wants to solve the lack of exercise in the catchment area of the football club. The CSR Skybox in the Euroborg stadium is the physical meeting place where the social partners of the foundation come together. Here, Oldenburger|Fritom organizes a CSR & Sustainability event prior to the match. The attendees will first become acquainted with our CSR policy. For example, what strategic choices do we make to distinguish ourselves? We will also explain why corporate social responsibility occupies a central position within our organization.
Logistics partner TDSR
After our short presentation, we offer a platform to Top Dutch Solar Racing. The mission of this northern Dutch student team is to build a sustainable and innovative solar car to participate in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in Australia. Top Dutch Solar Racing is unique because, unlike the other participants, it is not a university team.
The solar car of Top Dutch Solar Racing is built by students from both trade schools and universities combined. The students are now busy preparing themselves for the 2023 edition of the World Solar Challenge. The challenge will be taking place from 20 to 27 October. Oldenburger|Fritom will also assist the TDSR-team as a logistics partner this time. |
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