News & Case Stories

We live in challenging times that require supply chains to be agile and respond fast to changes in supply and demand. On the B2C and B2B sides, customers demand higher standards than before. This requires a razor-sharp focus, but can you be focused on everything? We think not. We believe companies should focus on their core business activities.

The first thing that comes to mind when you think of high-value cargo is a trailer filled with iPhones or laptops. The problem for criminals with these shipments is that these devices are registered and can be tracked. For criminals, a second factor that makes a shipment high-value is the ease of selling it. This makes shipments of cigarettes and liquor, but also things like detergent, very desirable.

I firmly believe we need to invest in the future, however, challenging that may be for a logistics service provider. When I say, “invest in the future”, the first thing you would think of might be the environment and the future of our planet. I already wrote about that in an earlier article on how sustainability and profitability go hand in hand. Rather than talking about the Planet, today I will speak of People and Profit. Stefan Van Doorslaer. CEO @Ahlers

If there is one thing we have seen in the past eighteen months, it is that unexpected disruptions in the supply chain can have enormous consequences. Complete supply chains came to a standstill, and others faced delays they had never experienced before. This has caused a renewed focus on contingency planning.

Sustainability is gaining more and more attention in supply chain and logistics. Many consumers already take action in their own homes, preferring sustainable options rather than harming the environment. This is a deliberate choice because the more sustainable option often used, proves to be more expensive. In the business-to-business market, an increasing number of companies are choosing sustainable options, however there is still room for improvement.

The mining industry is booming, especially in the CIS regions. The CIS countries are very rich in minerals and other resources. The focus on carbon footprints has had a positive effect on the mining industry in these regions. For example, the increased interest in electric vehicles and other electrically powered machines vs fuel-powered machines has increased the demand for batteries results in an increasing demand for resources available in these regions. The increased mining activity means increased flows of machinery, spare parts and supplies to these mining operations.