All customers are different. For example, florists do not order the flowers with whole buckets at a time, but rather prefer a bunch of this and a bunch of that. As a wholesaler you have to find a way to make that run smoothly.
Rody Peters, logistics project manager, and Joop Wendel, team leader and responsible for the department
App for florists
Rody Peters, logistics project manager at FleuraMetz, knows all about it. For a number of years, FleuraMetz has had an app for florists to place their order. “To be able to deliver exactly what they ask for, we have developed an extensive app. That app works like a warehouse where the customer can compile orders. It is a matter of checking and ordering flowers, plants and accessories. The florist has them in the shop the next morning."
A nice view of the cooler of Air.Clima
New location in Aalsmeer
Since 1 April, FleuraMetz prepares these orders for florists from its new location in Aalsmeer. The location for the florist stock was moved there. After having used the old building of Waterdrinker / Cultra for a while, a close collaboration was set up with Holland Indoor Plants in 2018. HIP supplies cut flowers and plants to cash & carry, wholesalers, garden centers and retailers domestically and abroad. Rody: “We work closely together in the fields of purchasing, sales and logistics. After some shifts within the group we were able to use the first floor in their building, with a size of about 4,500 m2. We have made this space, which was originally used for plants, completely suitable for cut flowers. Air.Clima ensured that everything was air-conditioned and that from 1 April the entire first floor is continuously 14 degrees.”
The cooling installation of Air.Clima being placed on the rooftop
Custom cooling system
The cooling installation for FleuraMetz was installed by their home supplier, Air.Clima. They have been installing refrigeration systems for the company for more than 10 years. "We have installed a cooling installation here with a cooling capacity of 350 kW for an area of 4,700 m2," says Carlo Cuvelië, sales director and owner of Air.Clima. He continues: “After discussing the various options with the customer, such as cooling with a natural or synthetic refrigerant, the choice was made for a traditional installation. However, this installation is equipped with the latest synthetic refrigerant R513a and electronic expansion valves. This is because of the balance between price, energy efficiency and proven technology. The 20 cooler units, distributed throughout the space, were selected for minimal sound pressure, air displacement and overall height. This ensures that the comfort of the employees remains maximum while we still can guarantee the quality."
Harriëtte concept
At the new location the work is carried out according to the Harriëtte concept. With a cart specially developed by FleuraMetz, employees drive with electric towing carts past the products to pick an order and to package it immediately. The same concept has been running in Naaldwijk for a number of years where it is used specifically for English and French-speaking countries. Now also German-speaking countries are supplied this way from Aalsmeer.
From Naaldwijk or Aalsmeer the orders go to a wholesaler, hub or one of FleuraMetz' own cash-and-carry, where florists pick up the order themselves or have it delivered.
For more information:
FleuraMetz
www.fleurametz.com
Air.Clima
Veldkant 8
Business Park King Square
B-2550 Kontich
Belgium
T: +32 (0)3 451 34 90
F: +32 (0)3 451 34 99
E: [email protected]
www.airclima.be