News VSL SiloLogistics
MoreNews Business Environment
MoreFeedback Customers & Relations, Sharing Best Practices
More
Category: Feedback Customers & Relations, Sharing Best Practices
Jan Zeinstra: 'The world isn't so big'.
‘It is well known that the Belgians and Dutch do not always have faith in each other, but between Ravago and VSL Silologistics it went well almost immediately' said Jan Zeinstra, until recently Vice President Shared Services at Ravago, the Belgian plastics multinational. ‘Both companies work a lot with the same partners and therefore often bump into each other. Plastics distribution and logistical service provision are complimentary and the first successful cooperation was quickly actualised. VSL Silologistics wanted to work with Ravago, but was not pushy. We both knew that there were possibilities. In a constructive and flexible way we looked for these possibilities to work together and eventually started a project in Oss. The plastics industry hasn't been a local industry for a long time and from my relationship with the people that work at VSL Silologistics I can see that it is clear that they have grown out of this local approach, without forgetting the importance of the personal relationship between partners.'
Jan Zeinstra has worked for many years in the plastics industry. His knowledge of production, distribution, commercial and other aspects makes his opinion about the present and future developments in the marketplace valuable to many. 'This market is going to change drastically, I'm sure of that. Through the economic crises companies that are financially weaker are having a hard time. And old, smaller production facilities will not be able to compete. I expect that, especially in the commodities, only a few worldwide players will remain, the production centred in the Middle East. The enormous capacities that are expected in those regions shall for the most part be exported: The largest part shall go to the Far East , but I estimate one quarter to be taken up by Europe. A few South European harbours shall then play a large roll, but also Antwerp and Amsterdam shall remain important. Because of its price advantage there will large quantities of polyethylene coming our way.'
'A few large producers have become real world players and, dependent on the demand & availability, there products will be shipped worldwide. Ambitious Logistic Service Providers shall have to modify there approach for this new situation. I expect that the Exxons, Dows and Sabics of this world will want one or two specialised and flexible worldwide Service Providers. One contact point, one set of standards, one IT system. In this way serious savings can be made. In my opinion VSL Silologistics will also need to go for a global approach. The world really isn't that big, so it should be possible. Having said that, I do realise of course that, certainly in these times, it is easier said than done....'
May 2009