Company Report: Partner Logistics: Taking care of business
Partner Logistics: Taking care of business For Partner Logistics the customer is at the centre of everything and it is this focus that has led to the development of a new approach to logistics

Perishable products present a particular challenge - how do you transport and handle them without compromising quality or freshness? Well, quite simply, it is the responsibility of the so-called "cold chain," whose rather ambitious task is to ensure perishable products are kept safe and in conditions that will not compromise quality prior to consumption.
Partner Logistics, founded in 1998, has quickly become a dominant player in this market, offering climatised warehousing and handling services to a variety of clients.
"We made the first real breakthrough," says Bram Hage, CEO, who explained that before Partner Logistics came along, nothing much really happened in this sector.
"We developed a new concept for shipping, receiving and storing frozen goods," he adds.
Partner Logistics was founded as a direct result of Lamb Weston-Meijer (LWM), the leading potato processing company, and its need for a higher service level and costs reduction related to the storage of its products.
Naturally, centralised storage was a fundamental requirement, and would later enable LWM to gain a strategic, political and operational advantage. "Traditional logistics providers couldn't do this, that's why a new concept or approach to solving the problem was needed," says Hage. "We introduced a concept focussed on a high level of automation of the processes of handling and storing goods. Among others this concerned storage of goods in a 30 metre high-bay with automated cranes. Because the market was dominated by conventional warehouses, this was a breakthrough."
Hage saw the opportunity to achieve more than the traditional parameters of logistics allowed, while cutting costs for LWM; he grouped a number of informal investors as partners and developed a new central warehouse. This created an off-balance position for LWM, and was the beginning of the rapid growth of
Partner Logistics.

LOGISTIC CONCEPTS
Partner Logistics focuses on the operation of highly automated warehouses, which it has developed itself, in house. The key, according to Hage, is making sure you improve a customer's processes and costs. "We focus on improving the service level and reducing costs for our clients" he says. "To deliver these results in the demanding logistics market requires team spirit, quality and flexibility. That is our strength.
"Because we operate and develop our own facilities, we've learned our lessons," he adds. "As such we are specialised in creating and managing innovative internal logistics and storage concepts."
For Partner Logistics, the customer is at the centre of everything. "We want to make sure every customer gets the solution needed," says Hage. And in order to achieve results, the organisation is committed to open communication and cooperation. "This goes for all stakeholders and important suppliers, which include SSI Schaefer, Davanti, Stocklin and Haskoning," Hage explains.
This has led to unprecedented success. Partner Logistics has already expanded several times, opening its doors to a number of new customers, who have all received the same high quality service first given to LWM all those years ago. Despite the success though, Partner Logistics is always looking to add to its books and is continually expanding its portfolio.
"We have successfully positioned ourselves in the food and now retail markets," says Hage. "We have opportunities to expand in markets where logistics are less developed, like for instance Russia and India. Furthermore, as we have a fresh approach and one that is superior to most conventional warehouses, we also have opportunities more developed markets like France, UK and the US. In these markets we should be able to replace exciting conventional operations, and deliver service level and efficiency improvements."

SLIDING DOORS
Partner Logistics sees growth not only in its exciting sectors - retail and food - but also entry opportunities in new sectors such as the pharmaceutical market. Hage is optimistic. "We aim to grow that's for sure," he says. "And we expect to remain successful. The market demands solutions with high service levels and efficiency that we can deliver.
"We are, after all, a reliable partner. We have a proven track record in implementing new sites on time and within budget. We also have a reputation for running operations above industry standards and have a strong financial position, which is important in the current climate.
"We also have a very clear strategy and focus for the future that has seen us become a leader in the frozen goods/climatised warehousing industry in Europe and have 'stirred things up' in terms of how logistics is approached in a few other sectors, such as retail, by developing a range of revolutionary services and approaches."
As a result, Partner Logistics is set for an exciting future. And the management are naturally optimistic about the chances of success.

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