Zuurbier Roses about multiple auction groups on one trolley: 'It saves us a lot of costs'
December 11, 2023
Behind the scenes, we are adapting our logistics processes and IT. Where we have switched to the logistical process of order picking (Naaldwijk flowers, Rijnsburg and Eelde), new possibilities are also arising for growers that make supplying simpler and more efficient. For example, it is now possible to place several auction groups on one trolley. How exactly does that work and what advantages does it offer? Auctioneer Ruud van der Hout and Bert Middelkoop of Zuurbier Roses (photo) share their experiences.
Ruud van der Hout has happily been an auctioneer in Naaldwijk for 16 years, especially auctioning roses. Ruud: "Before that I was a buyer. So I know both 'sides' of the clock well. Many of the roses I auction come from Kenya and Ethiopia, where I have also visited growers several times. I give tips on presentation, quality and which varieties are in demand. Because I am also in contact with buyers, I know what is needed. That role as a spider in the web makes this work very fun and varied."
According to Ruud, a little more attention could be given to the benefits of order picking. "The sentiment surrounding order picking was initially not positive. That's not surprising, because it didn't run smoothly at first either. Fortunately, it is now becoming increasingly clear what advantages it offers."
Significant improvement
Both Ruud and Bert Middelkoop of Zuurbier Roses consider the fact that at the locations where order picking has been introduced - including flowers in Naaldwijk - several auction groups can now be supplied on one trolley a major improvement. Bert has worked at Zuurbier Roses, which grows roses on nearly 60 hectares in Naivasha, Kenya, since 2011. Some of it goes directly to customers who want the flowers in boxes, some is unpacked for customers and some goes to the clock.
The auctioneer explains why it is such an improvement. "Roses are the largest in volume, and are spread over several auction groups. For example, the Athena and Upper Class varieties are in one auction group, Belle Rose and Bisou in another. Growers from Africa often carry a wide assortment. In the old situation, only one auction group was allowed on a cart. Then it could be that there was only one layer of Athena on a cart, because the grower had no other varieties in that auction group. With order picking, several auction groups are allowed together. Athena may then be put on a cart together with spray roses, for example."
Bert also sees that as a big advantage. "Before, we had many half-filled carts, waiting to be replenished with roses from the same auction group. Now it's just a matter of loading the cart full and back into the cold store."
More efficient loading
Ruud adds: "You can load the cart so much more efficiently, which means you need fewer carts. That means you also need less space in transport, so that makes a huge difference in costs." Bert confirms. "It's super, especially since we are located outside the auction. It saves us in cart rental, and in transportation costs to the auction sites." He therefore can't wait for order picking to be introduced in Aalsmeer as well.
Ruud van der Hout has happily been an auctioneer in Naaldwijk for 16 years, especially auctioning roses. Ruud: "Before that I was a buyer. So I know both 'sides' of the clock well. Many of the roses I auction come from Kenya and Ethiopia, where I have also visited growers several times. I give tips on presentation, quality and which varieties are in demand. Because I am also in contact with buyers, I know what is needed. That role as a spider in the web makes this work very fun and varied."
According to Ruud, a little more attention could be given to the benefits of order picking. "The sentiment surrounding order picking was initially not positive. That's not surprising, because it didn't run smoothly at first either. Fortunately, it is now becoming increasingly clear what advantages it offers."
Significant improvement
Both Ruud and Bert Middelkoop of Zuurbier Roses consider the fact that at the locations where order picking has been introduced - including flowers in Naaldwijk - several auction groups can now be supplied on one trolley a major improvement. Bert has worked at Zuurbier Roses, which grows roses on nearly 60 hectares in Naivasha, Kenya, since 2011. Some of it goes directly to customers who want the flowers in boxes, some is unpacked for customers and some goes to the clock.
The auctioneer explains why it is such an improvement. "Roses are the largest in volume, and are spread over several auction groups. For example, the Athena and Upper Class varieties are in one auction group, Belle Rose and Bisou in another. Growers from Africa often carry a wide assortment. In the old situation, only one auction group was allowed on a cart. Then it could be that there was only one layer of Athena on a cart, because the grower had no other varieties in that auction group. With order picking, several auction groups are allowed together. Athena may then be put on a cart together with spray roses, for example."
Bert also sees that as a big advantage. "Before, we had many half-filled carts, waiting to be replenished with roses from the same auction group. Now it's just a matter of loading the cart full and back into the cold store."
More efficient loading
Ruud adds: "You can load the cart so much more efficiently, which means you need fewer carts. That means you also need less space in transport, so that makes a huge difference in costs." Bert confirms. "It's super, especially since we are located outside the auction. It saves us in cart rental, and in transportation costs to the auction sites." He therefore can't wait for order picking to be introduced in Aalsmeer as well.
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