Prof robert boute associate professor operations management- vlerick leuven gent managem attractiveness

Attractiveness of Flanders as a Logistic
Region
Prof Dr Robert Boute

Logistics in Flanders

Logistics sector in Flanders is strategically important
Important source of employment and welfare

Many advantages for logistics in Flanders
Flanders is centrally located
Well-trained and flexible workforce
Well equipped infrastructure

However, attracting investments in logistics remains a challenge
High labour costs
Heavy tax burden
Increasing competition from neighbouring regions

© Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School & Flanders DC

Study commissioned by Flanders District of Creativity in
collaboration with Flanders Investment and Trade

Trends in logistics landscape
Impact on strengths / weaknesses in Flanders

Five success stories in the logistics sector
Innovative logistics concepts
Illustrate the competencies of Flanders
Demonstrate how the location in Flanders supports innovation


At a crossroads of trends

Centralization vs. decentralization of logistics distribution

Influence of the East: delocalization of logistics?

Increasing competition from neighbouring regions

Growing concern about climate change: “sustainable logistics"

Rapid technological developments: "smart logistics"


Flanders in the heart of Europe, but ...

… also in the future?
Flanders is in economic centre of gravity
of Europe
• Impact of the East?

Easy accessibility and market access,
both inbound and outbound transport


Well-developed infrastructure, but ...

... with limited capacity?
Very well-developed transportation network
• Extensive road network,
but increasing congestion
• Port Structure
in Antwerp, Zeebrugge and Ghent
• Good multi-modal network,
but service is still lacking
… and in a complex environment
Complex administration and government bureaucracy
Unstable political situation


Qualitatively, highly trained personnel but ...

… with a shortage?
Strong presence of knowledge and skills
• But ... limited number of logistics training
Extensive knowledge of languages
• But ... can we maintain this competitive
advantage??
High productivity
• But ... very high wages and high taxes
Flexible staff
• But … for how long?


Logistics success in five stories (1)

Volvo Logistics:
logistics services for automotive industry
• Originally logistics centre for Volvo plant in Ghent and Göteborg
• Became 4PL for impressive number for customers in automotive



Barry Callebaut
Distribution centre in Aalst
• near major production site of the group, in Wieze (270,000 tons of
chocolate per year)
• worldwide distribution of chocolate
Inbound: Wieze 80%, 20% from factories in France, Italy, Spain and UK
Outbound: 70% to Europe, 30% worldwide via Antwerp



SKF Logistics Services:
logistic centre in Tongeren
outsourcing partner of the Finnish company Metso Minerals
global centralization of spare parts logistics



Katoen Natie:
e-commerce hub for logistics in Europe
from Antwerp (Log Hidden City)
more than 5000 packages daily
highly “demanding" logistics (zero error tolerance)



UCB, Baxter, H. Essers en Tri-Vizor:
combination of (intermodal) transport to Eastern Europe
for pharma multinationals UCB and Baxter
with H. Essers as logistics partner
and Tri-Vizor as neutral "orchestrator"


What characterizes these 5 stories?
Logistics is a lot more than “moving boxes” !

Explicit, strategic choice for Flanders

Central position in European market is an advantage
Benefits in outbound logistics
• Barry Callebaut, Katoen Natie, SKF: Flanders in the economic and
geographical focus of the European market
Benefits in inbound logistics
• Barry Callebaut: proximity to major production unit

Critical mass of transport flows offers opportunities for optimization
• Volvo Logistics: high density of logistic flows makes it possible to
optimize transport
• UCB, Baxter: critical mass allows to combine logistic flows


High complexity of logistics operations

Presence of logistics expertise and skilled workforce helps in
complex environment
E-commerce logistics demands zero tolerance for errors
• Katoen Natie can rely on flexible workforce with an affinity for the product

European and global supply chains require expertise in planning and
optimization
• Volvo Logistics builds on the logistical and technical skills as a logistics centre
for its own Volvo factories
• Challenge for SKF: keep inventory (and working capital) under control
despite high product variance and uncertainty in demand
• Challenge for Barry Callebaut: meet the quality standards of the food
industry and the demand for customization


The importance of Information Technology

IT in support of logistics operations
Tracking & tracing
Integrated planning and inventory control
Automation in storage
IT-supported “picking”
….
IT as a driver of logistics operations or new business models
Katoen Natie: IT integration at the base of e-logistics
Tri-Vizor / Baxter / UCB: software (cloud technology ) makes horizontal
collaboration and demand shaping possible


Different partners work well together

Collaboration is the key to success.
Tri-Vizor, UCB en Baxter, in collaboration with H. Essers:
• Cost reduction
• Higher customer service
• Reduction of CO2 emissions


Sustainable strategies are on the rise

Strong emphasis on sustainable logistics strategies
Use of “green” energy
Reduction of waste
Reduction of energy consumption
…

Or, as Barry Callebaut puts it: “A sustainable supply chain is not
an option, it is a requirement"


Innovation keeps Flanders’ logistics on track

Flanders offers many advantages for innovative logistics

Flanders will still be an attractive focal-point for logistics
activities tomorrow

Certainly if we convert our weaknesses into opportunities.


Prof robert boute associate professor operations management- vlerick leuven gent managem attractiveness

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