An accelerated start for flowers and a final push for plants

From 3 April onwards, we will implement the accelerated start for the distribution of flowers and will make a final push for plants (Aalsmeer, Naaldwijk), as needed. Starting at full capacity at those locations will enable us to achieve better end times for flowers on the busiest days. We will continue operating in this way for as long as is necessary to meet the desired end times for flowers. We will then move employees to the plants process in order to deliver them as quickly as possible. After the end time for flowers has been reached, the flowers staff will help with the plants process, if necessary, in order to provide that final push. This will result in improved end times for flowers, later delivery of plants on busy days, but most importantly, predictable logistics services.

The introduction of the accelerated start for flowers/a final push for plants in Aalsmeer and Naaldwijk will help us provide a flexible response to increases in volume and any staff shortages that occur. Week by week, we will look at the extent to which we need to deploy these measures will therefore be able to respond to the development of the peak. Even after the peak has been reached, we will still face challenges due to a shortage of staff, so we will continue operating in this way beyond the peak.

On busy days in particular, this means that the plants process will start and end later than usual. On quiet days, however, the plants process will barely be impacted and you will probably find that the end times for plants meet your preferences. We provide clear information regarding the start and end times on our website, so you will always know what to expect and can adjust your process, if necessary.

• On 70% of days, we expect to finish before 2pm.
• On the other days, we expect to finish no later than 3pm
• You can contact S&C up to two hours after distribution has ended.
• The complaints policy has been updated to account for late end times (link to article)

Of course, the outside temperature, the number of sunshine hours, as well as the ratio of auction to direct will always result in some uncertainty. Things may turn out differently than expected due to circumstances beyond our control. Fortunately, the measures described here will enable us to respond flexibly. You should therefore always keep a close eye on the weekly forecasts.

From 29 March onwards, you will also find the start times of the Aalsmeer and Naaldwijk plants processes on our website. The start times vary per location.

• In Naaldwijk, the plants process will start at the normal times, but with a reduced capacity. We will share the expected initial capacity on the start/end times page.
• In Aalsmeer, the plants process will start later, namely from the moment the end times for flowers have been achieved, and will operate at normal capacity. This means the plants process can start right away at full speed.
• If there is a ‘final push’ for plants, it will begin at both locations once the distribution of flowers has ended, as indicated on our website.

Even on busy days, you can already expect to see plants right from the time that the auction begins. This specifically relates to Naaldwijk, where the plants process will start normally but with a reduced capacity. We will also continue to pre-auction full CC containers and deliver via Connect Logistics, just like in the case of direct flows (as quickly as possible).

Since there is relatively more day trading in flowers and flowers are the most time-critical product, we have chosen to give an accelerated start to flowers. When doing this, we will deploy a large number of people in flower distribution at the beginning of the day, after which we will also redeploy them to plant distribution. The end times for flowers will improve as a result and end times for plants will move backwards if there is a shortage of staff. In an ideal situation, of course, you should score well on end times for both flowers and plants. If we have sufficient logistics staff, we will aim to do just that.

I must have my plants in by 2pm. What should I do now?

According to our current estimate, the products will be delivered before 2pm on 70% of the days, but on busy days, it may well be 4pm. We understand that for some the plant buyers, 4pm is (too) late. Even on these very busy days, you can still continue to buy the majority of plants via auction because they are still likely to be delivered before 2pm. In the case of those final purchases that are expected to come in late, there are a few possibilities.

1. Stay open longer
2. Buy these plants a day earlier or later
3. Via the direct channel
4. Via a broker

Each buyer has different needs and possibilities and will therefore need to take different action. This will therefore also have an impact on growers.

So is there no way at all to get auctioned plants 'on time'?

On quiet days, of course, it may just be that the end times suit your needs. On busy days when end times are expected to be later, there is the option of buying full CC containers. The supply of CC containers will be auctioned up front and also delivered directly via Connect Logistics. This is already happening now and will continue. We auction CC containers at the Aalsmeer and Naaldwijk export locations. In Rijnsburg, we hope that with the transition to order picking, end times will remain within limits. Since we are already order picking at this location, you can also choose to have your plants delivered early (before auction distribution starts) via Select Delivery. You are therefore guaranteed to have your plants in by 8am.