Publicatie

nr. 02 November 2013
Logistics
Journal
Willpower
Successes have to be celebrated! We did that extensively in the
the hinterland will be crucial. As a result, GVT will have an even more
weekend of 14 and 15 September. The first day with over 600 busi-
important position in the logistics world. That’s not only positive for
We are nearing the end of 2013. A year in which the volumes
ness guests, the next day with our employees and their families. And
our own company, but it will ensure that Tilburg’s ranking on the list of
somewhat stabilised, but in which we certainly did not see the
after that we went back to work as usual: roll up the sleeves and go
logistics hotspots in the Netherlands will rise too. Now we are number
growth we had all hoped for. The margins are still considerably
for it! You can compare it to athletes, where, after a victory on the
three, a fantastic position, but as in sport there is only one place that
under pressure. All this led again to a further shakeout in the
Sunday, strenuous training will continue on the Monday. Our ambition
really counts and that is number one!
logistics industry.
is to become better and to continuously strive for higher levels of
service, even when economic circumstances are not favourable. That
Wil Versteijnen
2013 was a good year for GVT, with a number of exciting milestones:
is what GVT is all about. And if that is rewarded, like on 7 November,
Managing Director
our new warehouse became fully operational, the 2nd barge terminal
with the fantastic BOV award for the company with the best vision,
was opened and the Danube Gate trains left direction Bratislava. We
then you know you are on the right track.
also built a new warehouse for handling and storage at the Railport
Brabant location where we can load and unload all kinds of trains and
I am optimistic in my expectations for 2014. With the opening of the
we invested in Euro-6 trucks and LHV truck combinations. Further-
2nd Maasvlakte, at the end of next year, the position of Rotterdam as
more…. we gained a considerable number of new customers. With
the European main port will become even stronger. The number of
our end-to-end solutions we will create value for them too.
containers will grow and good railway and waterway connections to
www.gvt.nl
This issue includes: Winner BOV award, GVT Celebrates, Logistic Force, Bavaria and Jong Brabant
GVT wins prestigious BOV award!
From left Jort Kelder,
Els and Wil Versteijnen
in various ways what made their company
successful in these turbulent times and how they
were able to create growth, by doing business in
an a-typical manner.
STREET FIGHTER
Each finalist was presented in a very imaginative
short film; that’s how more than 900 people saw
Wil Versteijnen lying on the floor of his office
playing with GVT toy trucks, but also operating
a fork-truck himself. Film clips and sound bites of
Wil (‘dynamic’, ‘no talking but action’, ‘I’m a bit of
a street fighter’) alternated with dazzling speed.
After that Wil came on stage and was asked to do
a one-minute pitch to explain why GVT deserves
the award, something he did with fervour.
“I dedicate this
award to our people!
Without them we
would be nowhere!”
Jort
Kelder
confirmed
afterwards
that
he
recognised that street fighter in Wil Versteijnen
and he told the audience that in the stage wings
Wil had already been making a deal with the other
finalist Avec. “Yes, we could really take all logistics
burdens off their hands with our services”, Wil
said with a big smile.
Question time
It’s quite something when you are one of the 3 finalists contending
An
enthusiastically
After all finalists had presented themselves, the 3
for the most important award which can be won by a company in
received the award, a sculpture made of steel and
directors sat down in a round table setting. They
glass, from presenter Jort Kelder, journalist and
were then quizzed by an auditor of HLB van Daal
TV personality. He had to work hard that night,
& Partners about the financial situation of their
because Kelder did not accept half answers.
company and by an HR specialist of Tempo Team
Within the theme “Against the flow, full steam
about their HR policies.
Brabant: the Best Ondernemers Visie (BOV) Award, an award for
the company with the best vision. And it is absolutely fantastic
if, in an Efteling Theatre filled to capacity, you come out as the
winner at the end of an exhilarating evening.
excited
Wil
Versteijnen
ahead” the 3 finalists (the other two finalists
were Avec and Thermaflex) had to demonstrate
Continue reading on page 2 >
2
nr. 02 November 2013
The TT-representative praised GVT: “They do this
role in Brabant. In 2012 named by Deloitte as one
In his acceptance speech Wil paid compliments
During the remainder of the evening and the
really well! They train their people themselves and
of the best managed companies, with a CEO who
to his competitors with their likewise great
days that followed GVT received many reactions
they have their own academy.” When questioned
is acknowledged both in Tilburg and far beyond.
companies and paid tribute to the organisers for
and congratulations with the winning of this
where the company would be in 5 year’s time, Wil
In short: a superb company.
a splendid evening. “There is only one position
prestigious award. According to the experts this
replied without doubting: “By then we will have
we always go for and that‘s the number one
is the most important and most gratifying prize an
grown with 25 to 30%. We will handle 100,000
And the winner is…
position!” he told the audience. “It‘s marvellous
entrepreneur can win.
containers per year (now 75,000) and we will
Finally the big moment arrived. Accompanied
that we achieved it again this time. But we could
have 12 freight trains a week at Railport Brabant.”
by the mesmerising sound of an electronic
never have done it without our people. That’s why
heartbeat the 3 directors took their position in the
I dedicate this award to them, because without
of
spotlights at centre stage and Jort Kelder opened
our people we would be nowhere!”
questions, it was time for the chairman (prof. dr.
the envelope. And the winner is….: GVT Group
Theo Verhallen) to read out the jury report about
of Logistics!! The GVT people in the audience
the 3 companies. GVT was praised as an all-
jumped from their chairs cheering and the entire
round logistics service provider, playing a leading
audience gave Wil Versteijnen a standing ovation.
After
successfully
passing
this
barrage
What
happened
before?
Months ago, from a pre-selection list of 45 companies, 13 businesses were nominated for the
BOV award, an annual event organised by the Junior Kamer Hart van Brabant (Junior Chamber
Heart of Brabant). This year the jury was formed by prof. dr. Theo Verhallen, prof. drs. Joop
Vianen (both of the Tilburg University), drs. Marc Hoefakker of Rabobank, mr. Olaf Elderenbosch of Elho (last year’s BOV winner) and the Tilburg Council Alderman drs. Erik de Ridder.
From the 13 nominated companies, the jury selected 6 companies for the semi final.
From left Stan Hamers, Ad Witlox and Wil Versteijnen
GVT renews main sponsorship of Jong Brabant
On 30 September GVT Group of Logistics signed an agreement,
renewing our company’s main sponsorship of the football club Jong
Brabant from Berkel Enschot for the next three years. Chairman
Ad Witlox says to be very pleased and proud that GVT is willing to
support his football club once again.
These companies were visited by the jury. An audit was done by HLB van Daal & Partners and
of each organisation an extensive company analysis was made. Finally Tempo Team investigated the applied HR-policies in the 6 companies. In the end this all led to the selection of the
3 finalists: Avec, Thermaflex and GVT Group of Logistics.
Celebrations in the new
logistics world of GVT
We think future! With this slogan GVT presented the new
wonderful way all recent developments and expansions realised by
was extremely pleased with this amount, which brings the day that
logistics world of the GVT Group of Logistics to more than 600
GVT in the past few years. Tilburg Mayor Peter Noordanus praised
cancer is no longer a life threatening illness for children a little bit
business contacts and customers on Saturday 14 September 2013.
Wil Versteijnen for the role he plays in strengthening the region and
closer.
The recently built distribution centre at the Gesworenhoeksweg
he thanked him for the pleasant way of working together over all
in Tilburg had been turned into a fantastic party venue for this
these years.
occasion. Outside GVT equipment had been impressively staged
in such a way that guests were walking through a corridor of
After the official part there was ample opportunity to spend some
trucks, containers and reach stackers to go inside.
time together in a great atmosphere whilst enjoying culinary
delights and tasty beverages.
Theatre-maker and presenter Karin Bruers welcomed all guests
and interviewed director Wil Versteijnen in a very entertaining way,
Gift to KIKA
with a broad Tilburg accent, as could be expected. (“Diejen man
The invitation mentioned that instead of receiving presents,
heej gewòn un èège station en un èège stuk kenaol!!” = That man
GVT wanted to support KIKA (foundation for finding a cure for
even has his own train station and his own canal). On a large
childhood cancer). The guests rose to the occasion, because no
screen the new GVT company film was presented, showing in a
less than 10,000 euros was donated. KIKA let it be known that it
From left Mayor Peter Noordanus,
Karin Bruers and Wil Versteijnen
3
Our
People
“Not being allowed to work was the biggest
punishment we could get at home!”
An encounter with…
Jordy and Remon Versteijnen
South Africa and medicines for Dubai. When
we receive a customer order to load an export
container, I will look in the region to see if an
It’s only been recently that Jordy (23) and
work as one team and to push ourselves to the
empty container is available, or a container is
Remon (21) started working full time at GVT,
limit.” Remon considers it a huge advantage that
about to be unloaded, which can be used. Due
doing the planning at the Barge Terminal.
they got to know the operation inside out over
to the excellent arrangements we have with
They both still live at home and just about
the last 10 years: “We have done everything in
the shipping lines, for who in many cases we
grew up within the family business of their
the company: from washing trucks to unloading
are a holding station of empty containers, we
parents. “We were inundated with everything
container barges with a crane. We have already
often succeed in re-using a container and ship
that happened at GVT” says Remon. “From
seen so much of the daily operations and that
it back to Rotterdam or Antwerp fully loaded.
an early age we went along with our dad to
makes our job at the office so much easier. And
It goes without saying that this is always done
the company, where we were allowed to do
now, with our planning experience, we can add
in co-operation with and with agreement of the
odd jobs. We loved it and we learnt a lot that
something to the daily operations.”
customer, for who this way of working can have
way.” Jordy says with a smile on his face:
big advantages. Besides, it is also much better
”Yes, we were so eager to learn as much
What exactly do you do at BTT?
for the environment.”
as we could so early on. I can remember
Remon: “I am currently responsible for truck-
In the weekend the boys still often operate cranes
well that when we were young the biggest
planning. On average we deliver some 300
or reach stackers to load and unload trains and
punishment we could get at home was not
containers to our customers in the regions on a
barges that arrive then. “Sometimes we also do
being allowed to go and work on a Friday
daily basis. The last leg of the transport, from the
a delivery by truck on a Sunday” says Jordy. “It is
night. We did everything we could to prevent
terminals at Loven, Vossenberg or Eindhoven, is
also just fun to work with these huge machines
that from happening!”
always by truck. The container-trailers are de-
and trucks, even if it is in the weekend. After all,
coupled at the customer’s dock. The customer
we have always learnt that a week has 7 working
After their studies at IVA in Driebergen, both boys
can take the time needed to load or unload the
days and that there are 24 hours in a day” Remon
spent some time abroad to properly learn various
container, without incurring waiting hours. That’s
adds with a smile on his face.
foreign languages.
a big advantage for the customer! And it enables
us to work very efficiently, because the truck
What does your future look like?
What’s it like to work in the family business
driver can move on immediately to pick up or to
“In the coming years we want to become as all-
of your parents?
drop off the next container.”
round as possible. We want to work in various
“Logistics is a fantastic area to work in” says Jordy.
operational departments in order to gain know-
“From a very early age we knew that this was
Jordy is involved in the export planning. He
how and experience” according to Jordy. Remon
what we wanted to do. GVT is a great company
determines how to fully optimise the deployment
adds: ”We have always learnt that we, at GVT,
and although our dad has high expectations, and
of empty containers for the loading of export
can make the difference for a customer. That is
we do feel that pressure, we really like getting
shipments.
one aspect which we will focus on. And once we
the planning organised well, together with our
Eindhoven region is substantial. We load waste
colleagues, each and every day. It is so nice to
paper for China, chips for Australia, beer for
“Export
from
the
Tilburg
and
Remon (l) and
Jordy (r) Versteijnen
NEW RAILWAY SWITCHES
improve access to Tilburg
have mastered it all, maybe then our dad might
consider stopping.…”
of service has to be filed 26 weeks in advance” Sonja explains. “Not
only do all the train schedules have to be changed, but we also have
to deal with environmental regulations and permits, clean-up of land
pollution, water authorities, cables and pipes and many involved
parties who had to do the job in the weekend of 19 and 20 October.
By the positioning of some new railway switches between the Brabant Route and Railport
Brabant, Tilburg has become even more accessible for freight trains and the town has
made a major step forward in her endeavour to become the number 1 Logistics Hotspot
in the Netherlands.
Over 100 ProRail staff have worked extremely hard to get it all done!
This requires a great deal of preparation.”
Alderman Roel Lauwerier of the Tilburg Council is certain: Tilburg
will be Logistics Hotspot number 1. “This region has fantastic
access to road, rail and waterways. This is why more and more big
players are coming to our town, like Tesla and Nokia just recently.
On Wednesday 30 October this milestone was modestly celebrated
crossings which have to close 4 times for a train that really has no
These multinationals are a perfect addition to the many European
at the site of Railport Brabant. All parties involved agreed that this
business there. By placing the new railway switches this is now a
distribution centres which can already be found in Tilburg. Other
had been a very successful project, which through an excellent co-
thing of the past.”
councils look at us in envy, after all it creates many jobs. Regularly
operation between business, the authorities and ProRail had been
realised in an unbelievably short period.
I am asked; how can it be, how can you accomplish this in Tilburg
Because of this, Railport Brabant now has direct access to the
in such a short time? My answer is simple: ‘No talk, all action!’ That
Brabant Route. From each side trains with a length of no less than
mentality rules in the Tilburg Council and at GVT and it has brought
Wil Versteijnen explains what exactly has changed with these new
630 metres can access the terminal. With this Brabant has obtained
us, together with ProRail, this success.”
switches. “Our Danube-Gate trains and the freight trains that run
a unique part of railway infrastructure.
between Rotterdam and Tilburg each day, could not access Railport
Brabant directly from the main track. First they had to go to Den
Sonja van der Graaf, public affairs manager of ProRail, does not
Bosch where the pull engine had to be shunted to the other end of
hide her enthusiasm. This was a fantastic project to work on!
the train, after which the train was pulled back to Tilburg. There it
Nowadays everybody is talking about multimodality, but I have yet
was loaded and unloaded, after which the same exercise had to be
to see a project that exemplifies it as well as this one in Tilburg.
repeated: so back to Den Bosch where the engine would move to
Wil Versteijnen really took the lead in the close collaboration between
the other end of the train again and after that via the main tracks,
private business and the authorities. The Tilburg Council was very
past Tilburg, back to Rotterdam. The fact that these switches were
pro-active and was prepared to invest, enabling us to accomplish
not there, meant that the train had to drive the route Tilburg-Den
this project together in a very short time.
Bosch four times, just because a pull engine has to be in front of the
train. And if it was too busy at Den Bosch junction, the train would
It seems so simple: just position a couple of new railway switches,
drive on to Zaltbommel. This easily took an additional hour and a
but extensive preparations are hidden behind working on railway
half. Besides, it was also disrupting for the surroundings: railway
tracks during a weekend. “A request for taking part of a route out
Topview new railway switches
nr. 02 November 2013
Our
Customers
“I believe the only way
forward is transport
by rail and ship,
no longer by truck”
BAVARIA
Multimodal transport
solutions fit well with brewer
The Bavaria Brewery from the town of Lieshout is, like GVT
Group of Logistics, a family owned business. Managed by the 7th
generation of the Swinkels family, some 800 people are currently
employed. One of them is Fred Hooft, manager Logistics. Since
last year the GVT Barge Terminal carries out the intercontinental
train are trucked from Lieshout to the Eindhoven
rail terminal, containers that will go by barge
leave from the Barge Terminal at Tilburg. “A BTT
shunting truck driver is permanently stationed
at the Bavaria grounds, constantly positioning
containers and thereby optimising the loading
process.”
“Bavaria works on the principle that they are the
custodians of the brewery for the children who
Fred Hooft sees the co-operation with GVT as a
will form the 8th generation”, according to Fred
partnership. “We do not just sign a contract with a
Hooft. “That really appeals to me! Sustainability
forwarder and then say: the rest is up to you. We
and saving costs definitely go hand in hand which
constantly liaise with each other. When we take a
makes it really very interesting!”
decision about some matter, I think it is important
that all parties involved understand why we took
The start of the export route is still by truck, that’s
that decision. Therefore, I see GVT much more as
inevitable. “Because we do not have terminals on
a partner, one who thinks with us and advises us.
own premises” Hooft explains. “It is then up to
It is definitely our intention to maintain a long-term
GVT to decide whether the containers are moved
relationship with them. In any case, up to now we
to Rotterdam by train or by barge. After all, they
are very satisfied with the partnership.”
know best which mode of transport has sufficient
capacity available to get our freight into the port
as early as possible. Containers that will go by
export for Bavaria. This entails some 4,000 containers per year.
“Like in our own company, when working with
we were looking for alternatives to road transport.
BTT you notice that the lines of communication
Personally I do not see trucks as a viable solution
are short, decisions are made quickly and as a
anymore, I think transport by rail and ship is the
result you can act immediately”, says Hooft. “It’s
only way forward. The multimodal solutions that
a pleasure working in that way.”
the GVT Group of Logistics offers, fit perfectly
well with us.”
Bavaria exports to all continents, where we
currently see a strong growth in the South-African
Sustainability
and Middle Eastern markets. Cans, bottles, beer
Sustainability is high on the agenda at Bavaria and
coasters… Bavaria products can be found in
definitely not a sales pitch. In the area of Corporate
over 120 countries all over the world. “Our export
Social Responsibility, Bavaria fully meets the
products are shipped via the Port of Rotterdam.
ISO26000 norms and it was the first brewery in
For the transport from the brewery to the port,
the Netherlands to receive a Lean & Green star.
Our
Partners
Fred Hooft
LOGISTIC FORCE
A unique service provider
in the field of temporary
manpower
Logistic Force was established in 2008 as a temporary staff agency for the Transport and
Logistics industry. Founders Patrick Villevoye and Bas Driessen, with Wil Versteijnen as
third shareholder, knew exactly what they wanted: ”Ensuring the best environment for
our people, that was our basic premise. Investing in our temporary staff, so they can
be productive and offer high quality work.” says Bas who, together with Patrick, is still
one of the directors. “But five years ago we never could have dreamt that we would be so
successful.“
In the meantime Logistic Force is more than a temporary staff agency in
Tilburg alone. With seven establishments in the south of the Netherlands
the company offers a wide range of HR-services specialised in the
Transport and Logistics sector. “In this, we are really unique,” according
to Driessen. “Our Logistic Force Academy offers courses and training
at various levels, practical and tailor-made. Logistic Force Recruitment
offers HR solutions in various areas and does recruitment and selection
up to MBO (middle level applied education) and HBO (bachelor degree)
levels. On top of that, with Logistic Force Recruitment Ocean Air we can
fill specialised positions for the sea shipping industry and air freight.”
On a daily basis more than 20 temps of Logistic Force are working at
GVT Group of Logistics, in the warehouse or as a driver. “One of the
advantages of working with us is that we can be reached 24 hours
a day” Bas explains. “If a GVT driver calls in sick at 5 o’clock in the
morning, the planner will call us. Each and every day we have about 6
men on stand-by. These people sleep with the phone at their bed-side
and are ready to jump in when needed. That’s a service not offered
by other temporary staff agencies. Until half past eight in the morning
all you’ll get on the phone is an answering machine when you try to
contact them.”
Logistic Force participates in projects of the Tilburg council aimed at
helping young people to find employment. Driessen: “Using intakes
and assessments we determine if these young people are suitable and
we create a specific training schedule for them. Whilst keeping their
social benefits they can follow the course, after which we offer them
a 6-month contract. We offer them a position with one of our CSR
Partners, for instance at GVT Group of Logistics, where they can apply
all they have learnt in a real life environment and where they can gain
work experience. Of the 85 people who started this since 2011, 49
now have a permanent job or are still in one of our schemes.”
Logistic Force knows what’s happening in the world of logistics. That’s
the reason why they started with a team of people with a practical
background, many of them were planners, who now manage and steer
the entire pool of temps. “Our staff know what they’re talking about,
they know the world of transport. They will accompany a truck-driver
on the first day of work, to show him the ropes. And that is appreciated!
In this environment they’re not waiting for someone in a three-piece suit
to discuss the hiring of warehouse personnel. No, pragmatic people
with experience and know-how, that is our strength!”
Bas Driessen
Colofon
Text:
Tekstbureau Huijskens
Images:
Bram Delmee Fotografie
GVT Group of Logistics
Concept & Realisation:
Gesworenhoekseweg 3
C•WORX design & media
5047 TM Tilburg
Print:
+31 (0)13 58 38 585
MM Printing
www.gvt.nl