The BF Global Group is a relatively young logistics service provider operating since 2012. One part of this Group is BF Global Warehouse BV. In 2022, the company chose to expand its operations in Belfeld, where it currently operates from a 38,000m2 distribution centre.
'Our slogan reads: We take it personally.'
"In Venlo, we had access to 12,000 square metres but our customers wanted more and we wanted to grow," explains Roy Hanraets, director of warehouse operations. "Moreover, we notice that, thanks to this location, more parties from the south of the province find it easier to find us. We are ready for the future, can grow further and create additional space if necessary. Of course, we always have some square metres or racking locations free so parties can approach us. We have in Belfeld, among other things, 35,000 pallet locations, mezzanine and sufficient floor space."
Warehouse management system
BF Global Group provides road, sea and air transport and, of course, warehouse operations. Besides Belfeld, there is another location in Raamsdonksveer with 6,000 square metres. At both warehouses, it is possible to store goods for short or long periods of time. Shipments can be checked for correctness, quality and quantity, sorted and repacked. Using the in-house WMS, it is possible to keep track of stocks, check order progress and process online orders. "This allows customers to have their entire stock managed efficiently," Hanraets said.
'BF Global Group provides transport by road, sea, air and, of course, Warehouse operations.'
No standard menu
Vear the Tegelen-based Hanraets enjoys being regionally active as well. "We regularly collaborate with competitor colleagues and local suppliers. It's nice to help each other. Of course we have many different customers: national and international, but they also vary in size and in terms of products. For instance, solar products, sports articles, cooking utensils, toys or care aids. You can't think of anything or it will pass by here." Besides its regular duties as a logistics service provider, the Belfeld site also has an e-fulfilment operation running. We always ask about the customer's wishes. Even if something doesn't work out, we are honest about it. Customers are not offered a standard menu. We provide various value added services that parties can make use of. Some companies contact us to ask whether they can place a certain quantity of pallets here for a longer period of time. From other customers, products come in, are sorted and are gone half a day later. Our partners can choose from various options."
To make this logistics provider's approach more concrete, Hanraets gives a practical example. "We can pick up products in China, store them in Belfeld, process them and then deliver them to their customers. That could be a shop in Paris or a factory in England. No, we don't have our own trucks on the road. We are a freight forwarder and work with exclusive partners."
'The power of branded content is its ability to touch people and engage them with your brand'
Team
Those partners include a number of staffingorganisations. We often don't know in the morning what to do in the evening, which means fast switching; even with temporary workers. Fortunately, we have sufficient FTEs and, furthermore, people on variable contracts. These employees are flexibly deployable, which is very important in this sector. Moreover, many make a conscious choice to do so. One person likes to work in the afternoon, another prefers to work an evening shift or chooses to work at night. Everyone has their own preference to have work-life balance. If once they have to work a little longer, no one complains. Because another time they can go home a bit earlier. We also work with a cross-training programme so that people are employable in several departments."
Open flat organisation
As mentioned earlier, BF Global Group has a large network. "We are a young company and often new contacts are made thanks to word of mouth. Our slogan is not for nothing 'We take it personally.' Everything we do, we do sincerely." According to Hanraets, the whole team is also looking at how it can make certain operations smarter. "All 170 employees of the BF Global Group are important in this regard. Of these, just under 70 operate within the warehouse. This is a flat, open organisation where everyone up to the highest boss is easily accessible. That contributes to a pleasant working atmosphere. I have been employed here for eight years now and most of the old-timers still enjoy working here. We are proud of that! We spend several hours a day together. So it is important to joke around regularly, but also to shake each other up. In doing so, we respect everyone's dignity. Our people have fun at work. That is essential."
Roy Hanraets
Tegelen-born and resident Roy Hanraets is married, has a 17-year-old daughter and a 20-year-old son, and has been with BF Global since December 2016. "I did several vocational training courses and of course learned a lot in practice at different companies. Owner Fons Verbunt approached me eight years ago asking me to set up a warehouse in Venlo, i.e. set it up and make it operational. There was an immediate click and that good feeling persuaded me to choose Fons and his BF and that has brought us where we are today"
Hanraets has no real hobbies, he mostly enjoys living and picking the day. "I walk a lot with our dog or go cycling with my wife or friends. Furthermore, we sometimes visit the theatre, I like eating out or just picking up a terrace. That way I can relax just fine and BF is of course also a little bit of a hobby."
TEXT: ROB BUCHHOLZ - PHOTOGRAPHY: BRAM BECKS
