Smurfit Kappa
"Koopman is flexible right to the last moment.
Robin Boerrigter, Supply Chain Manager Smurfit Kappa
Smurfit Kappa and Koopman have been working together since the 1990s. To the great satisfaction of both parties. Koopman is the main transporter for many Smurfit-Kappa locations within the Benelux, and especially the Dutch corrugated cardboard factories. 80% of the production at the Hoogeveen branch is transported by Koopman, for example. As the Supply Chain Manager of that branch, Robin Boerrigter recognises the benefit of a transporter that takes such an optimally flexible attitude, on a daily basis.
"Our customers can place their orders for next day delivery, until 12.30 in the afternoon", Boerrigter explains. "That means that we can only start planning at that point, and let Koopman know what needs to go where. This concerns between 20 to 40 trucks from Hoogeveen each day. Many other transport companies would require 24 hours to plan the orders. Koopman always ensures there is sufficient capacity; with own vehicles, partners or chartered drivers. They have a good network for that purpose. We can even make adjustments up to 3 hours before loading. Koopman is flexible right to the last moment."
"We can even make adjustments up to 3 hours before loading. Koopman is flexible right to the last moment."
Great service level
What Boerrigter particularly appreciates in Koopman is the combination of flexibility, capacity and willingness to make changes. "They offer a great service level. Even if our production is delayed and the planning is at risk, they stay cool and find solutions instead of playing the blame game. That's due to their people, because without flexible people, there is no flexible organisation. There have been situations that drivers needed to wait for hours for their consignment, even at night. They simply grab another cup of coffee. The fact that our customers receive their packaging materials the next day, is all down to Koopman."
"Koopman is willing to change and that helps us move forward too. As a chain, we form the total picture for the customer. And customers are apparently very satisfied with our total picture.
In days gone by, registration of the goods stopped as soon as they were loaded onto the truck. Nowadays, Smurfit Kappa and Koopman have an integrated method in which all trailers are fitted with GPS, so that the consignment can be continuously traced. "That's an important development in performance for our customers", says Robin Boerrigter. "Koopman is willing to change and that helps us move forward too. As a chain, we form the total picture for the customer. And customers are apparently very satisfied with our total picture."
About Smurfit Kappa
Smurfit Kappa Group is an Irish multinational that manufactures packaging materials. The multinational is active in 33 countries in Europe and Latin America, with its headquarters in Dublin. It is one of the world's leading suppliers of paper-based packaging materials. Virtually all boxes in which supermarket stocks are delivered, are made by Smurfit Kappa.
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