LIOF Foreign Investors Day 2009

It was an inspiring afternoon at De Grote Hegge in Thorn, where LIOF held its Foreign Investors Day 2009. This year's theme was Limburg as hotspot for European logistics and attractive location for concentrating back-office activities.

Johan Beukema, Partner at Buck Consultants International, benchmarked the logistic hotspots in Europe and the position of Limburg in different industries. An important trade-off for the coming years in the North-Western European market is the centralization vs. decentralization of activities. The challenge is to find the best solution for efficiency and flexibility! The benchmark shows that Limburg is well positioned for this challenge. From a full supply chain cost/quality perspective Limburg has excellent location factors for setting up or expanding European distribution and back-office activities. The Netherlands / Limburg scores top on labour climate (flexibility, hiring/firing), customs and regulatory environment and position in intermodal networks.

Frank Timmers, VP Logistics Europe of Access Business Group in Venlo, presented the audience the impressive growth path of the ABG site in Venlo. As the European Regional Service Center ABG Venlo is responsible for 14 distribution and 5 replenish-ment markets, supply chain planning, QA and regulatory affairs, centralized procurement, finance, HR and ICT and customer service. Within the group, Venlo is now an example for other regions worldwide.

Paul Spronck, Director Operations Europe Nordson Benelux in Maastricht, showed the development from a sole distribution center to a full service organization, growing in 10 years time from 25 to 80 employees. Resulting in a very high level of unique knowledge and capabilities of the Maastricht site within the corporation.

 Frank Timmers                                               Networking                                                  Paul Spronck