In the world of aftermarket services, a product’s journey extends well beyond its initial purchase. In today’s competitive environment, fine-tuning your aftermarket strategy is essential for sustaining customer satisfaction, fostering revenue growth, and maintaining a competitive edge. At Katoen Natie, we recognize the diverse advantages that aftermarket services bring not just to end customers, but also to your business’s profitability. We acknowledge that the real gauge of success lies in the ongoing performance and durability of your customers’ investments. Let’s explore three reasons why aftermarket services matter and what Katoen Natie can do for you.

 Why Aftermarket Services Matter

• Enhance Customer Experience by maximizing equipment performance. Proactive maintenance and efficient supply chain management extend the lifespan of your equipment, reducing downtime and minimizing costly repairs of replacements. By offering timely maintenance, repair, and spare parts availability, you can ensure uninterrupted service for your customers, leading to higher satisfaction levels and recurrent business.
• Drive Revenue Opportunities. Beyond traditional product sales, aftermarket services present lucrative revenue streams through value-added offerings like remanufacturing, repair, and customization. Companies can tap into these opportunities to expand their market reach, capture additional market share, and drive sustainable revenue growth.
• Strengthen Brand Reputation. Investing in aftermarket services demonstrates a commitment to quality, reliability, and customer support, enhancing your brands’ reputation and fostering trust and loyalty among stakeholders.
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    Specialized packaging for non-standard items

  [caption id="attachment_11893" align="alignnone" width="475"] Picking of smaller spare parts[/caption] Our Role as a 3PL

• Expertise & Tailored Solutions: With decades of experience in aftermarket logistics and a deep understanding of various industries, we offer tailored solutions to meet each business's unique requirements.
• Global Reach & Seamless Support: Our extensive global network of facilities and partners ensures seamless support for your aftermarket needs, no matter where you operate, providing you with an interconnected ecosystem.
• Commitment to Excellence & Partnerships: We prioritize customer satisfaction and partnerships, continuously improving our operations to deliver exceptional services, reflected in our high Net Promoter Scores (NPS). Our people-centric approach and private ownership advantage further contribute to our ability to provide reliable solutions and maintain focus on sustainability and community engagement.
• The aftermarket industry represents more than just an extension of initial product sales—it's a critical component for long-term business success. It fosters customer satisfaction, strengthens brand loyalty, and opens doors to sustainable growth. Katoen Natie, as a trusted logistics partner, facilitates this transformation through tailored solutions and strategic collaborations. We empower companies to optimize their aftermarket strategies, achieve their business goals, and gain a competitive edge in the market through our industry expertise, global reach, and commitment to excellence. Ready to elevate your aftermarket strategy? Partner with Katoen Natie today and experience the difference firsthand.

For further insights and updates on the evolving landscape of Aftermarket, let’s stay connected. Thibaut Van den Berghe thibaut.vandenberghe@katoennatie.com Katoen Natie Aftermarket  

In the competitive world of DIY, efficient logistics are key to staying ahead. At the heart of this challenge lies the need for automation. Let's dive into five reasons why this sector is in need of smart automation solutions and how Katoen Natie can help.

1. Rising Demand for Efficiency:

Picture this: A bustling DIY store with orders pouring in from all corners. In such a scenario, manual handling of inventory and orders can lead to delays and errors. Katoen Natie understands the critical importance of efficiency in modern supply chains. Automation offers a solution by streamlining processes, reducing the chances of errors, and ensuring orders are fulfilled promptly. This efficiency not only enhances customer satisfaction but can add a competitive edge in the market. [caption id="attachment_11908" align="alignnone" width="512"] Packing Line Automations: Automatic Box Closer and Conveying Systems[/caption]  

2. Cost-Effectiveness:

Automation presents an opportunity to investigate a cost-effective alternative to traditionally time expensive practices. By investing in the latest technology like automated packing lines and storage systems, businesses can optimize their operations, saving both time and money in the long run. Katoen Natie's expertise in automation offers fresh perspectives on cost-effective solutions tailored to specific operational needs. Partnering with Katoen Natie not only unlocks innovative alternatives, but also ensures awareness of potential options available, empowering businesses to make informed decisions that drive long-term savings and operational excellence.  

3. Agility in Operations:

The DIY sector thrives on staying ahead of trends and adapting to changing consumer preferences. Automation provides the agility needed to meet these dynamic demands. Whether it's adjusting inventory levels in real-time or quickly ramping up production to meet sudden spikes in demand, automated systems can empower businesses to respond swiftly to market fluctuations.   [caption id="attachment_11901" align="alignnone" width="512"] Autostore: a cube ASRS (Automated Storage and Retrieval System)[/caption]  

4. Future-Proofing the Supply Chain:

Katoen Natie understands the importance of future-proofing the supply chain against unforeseen disruptions. In an unpredictable world, businesses must prepare for the unexpected. Disruptions in the supply chain can wreak havoc on operations. Automation not only mitigates risks, but also future-proofs the supply chain by enhancing its resilience. Flexible and scalable automation solutions are designed to withstand the challenges of tomorrow. By collaborating closely with clients and leveraging Katoen Natie’s in-house engineering expertise, we develop customized automation solutions that not only meet current needs but also anticipate future requirements.

5. Customer Satisfaction:

At the end of the day, customer satisfaction is the cornerstone of success. By embracing automation, businesses can offer faster delivery times, accurate order processing, and seamless inventory management, thereby enhancing the overall customer experience. Katoen Natie's automation solutions are tailored to enhance the customer experience at every touchpoint. By enabling faster order processing, accurate inventory management, and seamless logistics operations, they ensure that businesses can deliver on their promises, delighting customers and fostering long-term loyalty.   In essence, the DIY sector can no longer afford to overlook the transformative power of automation in their supply chain. By embracing smart automation solutions, businesses can unlock new levels of efficiency, agility, and resilience, positioning themselves for sustained success in an increasingly competitive market landscape. With Katoen Natie as a trusted partner, businesses can navigate the complexities of the modern supply chain with confidence, driving growth and innovation every step of the way.   For further insights and updates on the evolving landscape of DIY, let’s stay connected. Pascal Jacobs pascal.jacobs@katoennatie.com Katoen Natie DIY

The Kingfisher Group, a European DIY and Home Improvement retailer, trades through its brands Brico Dépôt, Castorama, B&Q, Screwfix, Tradepoint and Koctas. Together they number more than 2.000 stores and e-commerce sites, with over 80.000 employees in eight European countries: England and Ireland, Poland, Romania, Spain, Portugal, Turkey and France. In France, Kingfisher France currently has 220 Castorama and Brico Dépôt stores. To support the growth of its French business, Kingfisher France has put its trust in their expert logistics partner, Katoen Natie. Since 2005, Katoen Natie has provided all warehousing services for these 220 stores via two warehouses in Le Havre and Saint-Martin-de-Crau. “Our common history started with services provided at Le Havre, through which we quickly became aware of Katoen Natie’s responsiveness, flexibility and agility. Subsequently, Katoen Natie won a second tender to manage our logistics in the South of France. Beyond operational performance, we share values and a strong strategic vision for the further development of our logistic network. Our relationship is based more on real partnership than simple provision of services,” says Etienne de La Codre, Director of Logistics and Transport at Kingfisher France.   Sharing a “cultural fit” and a pragmatic vision of logistics. Today Katoen Natie manages all warehousing services for Brico Dépôt, from a simple screw to a 6m long awning. These activities include the collection of containers from the port, unloading, palletizing, storage, order preparation, packing and despatch. Since 2019, Katoen Natie was additionally granted the management of Kingfisher France’s complex flow of garden products from the Castorama brand. Furthermore, strengthened by its ownership model of warehousing facilities, Katoen Natie is able to adapt its proposal to the client’s needs in terms of surface area, process or even specific equipment, with the aim of offering a partnership arrangement beneficial to both parties. “There is undeniably, a good fit between our strategic and cultural position policies. Katoen Natie supports us perfectly in our philosophy of development, costs and continuous improvement. We like and share the value they place on simplicity and efficiency, as well as their customer service ethos. We are therefore perfectly aligned,” emphasises Etienne de La Codre.   Since 2005, both organisations have pursued an alignment with the joint ambition to develop and co-create successful innovations, particularly improving on the work environment and wellbeing of staff on site. A notable example is the implementation of a specific picking tool using suction pads, dedicated to glazed doors and windows in 2020. This enabled operators to achieve improved ergonomics, limiting the challenging nature of the process and providing increased safety in the warehouse. “Katoen Natie has this ability to provide us with technological innovation, enabling us to make progress in the way products are palletised and despatched. Together we have decreased product breakage and reduced risk as well as our costs and decreased the arduousness of the processes. We are engaged in genuine dialogue aimed at continuous improvement,” concludes Kingfisher France’s director of Logistics and Transport. The two companies are currently considering innovative new projects with the long-term aim of co-construction.  

	Etienne de La Codre serves as the Logistics & Transport Director of Kingfisher France. He is a supply chain expert with extensive experience from both  supplier and retailer perspectives in a global context. His expertise lies in supply chain management, emphasizing a customer service-oriented  approach.

 

The Kingfisher Group is a European group specialising in DIY and home improvement. Present in France through its Castorama and Brico Dépôt brands, Kingfisher France has 220 retail outlets and nearly 20,000 employees.

 

Border Inspection Post (BIP) At Katoen Natie Ghent, we have a Border Inspection Post (BIP) for pet food within our warehouse facility. This serves several important purposes to ensure the safety, quality, and compliance of pet food products entering Europe.

• Food Safety and Quality Assurance: Pet food must meet specific safety and quality standards. A BIP allows for the inspection of pet food products to verify compliance with the country's regulations and standards for ingredients, labeling, and production processes.
• Regulatory Compliance: Different countries have varying regulations regarding pet food importation. This includes verifying proper documentation, labeling, and ingredient specifications.
• Customs and Import Duties: Border Inspection Posts also play a role in enforcing customs and import duties on imported pet food. Katoen Natie can provide these services at our Ghent platform to facilitate a smoother supply chain flow.

Border Inspection Post: Mid inspection process ensuring compliance with all required regulations and standards   In summary, a Border Inspection Post for pet food is a critical component of a country's regulatory framework, ensuring that imported pet food products meet established safety and quality standards while also addressing Customs compliance. Inland Barges Imported Pet Food must be transported from the Port of Antwerp to our Ghent Multi-Customer platform via Inland Barges. While inland barges offer various advantages, their applicability depends on factors such as the availability and condition of waterways and destination points. In regions with well-developed inland waterway systems, barges can play a crucial role in the supply chain management of goods. Some of the key advantages include:

• Cost-Effectiveness: Inland barge transportation is often more cost-effective than road or rail transport, especially for large and bulky cargo. Barges can carry a significant amount of cargo in a single trip, reducing the overall cost per ton-mile.
• Sustainability: Barges are more fuel-efficient than trucks and trains on a per-ton basis. The lower fuel consumption per unit of cargo makes inland barge transportation an environmentally friendlier option, contributing to reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
• Reduced Congestion: Barges operate on rivers and canals, providing a separate and often underutilized transportation corridor. This helps alleviate congestion on roads and railways, leading to smoother traffic flow in urban areas.
• High Capacity: Inland barges have a high cargo capacity, allowing them to transport large volumes of goods in a single journey. This makes them particularly suitable for containers, bulk commodities, and raw materials.

  [caption id="attachment_11603" align="alignnone" width="341"] Inland barges being loaded with containers[/caption]   The Ghent Container Yard Depot A container yard depot, also known as a container depot or container yard, provides essential services for the storage, maintenance, and handling of shipping containers. There are several advantages associated with the use of a container yard depot in the shipping and Supply Chain:

• Intermodal Connectivity: Container yards are typically strategically located near ports, rail terminals, and major highways. This facilitates seamless intermodal transportation.
• Transshipment Hub: Container yard depots often serve as transshipment hubs for intermodal transportation. This facilitates the smooth flow of cargo between ships, trucks, and trains.
• Reduced Congestion: By efficiently managing container movements, container yards contribute to reducing congestion at ports and terminals. This helps to streamline the overall supply chain.

In summary, container yard depots play a crucial role in optimizing the handling of shipping containers, contributing to the efficiency, security, and reliability of the global supply chain. Their strategic location and services support the smooth flow of goods. In a world where efficiency, sustainability and accessibility for warehousing operations is important, Katoen Natie’s strategic multi-customer platform offers a seamless and cost efficient solution for Pet Food businesses looking to leverage the economic advantages of this thriving region.   For further insights and updates on the evolving landscape of Pet Food and Pet Care, let's stay connected. Bart Versprille bart.versprille@katoennatie.com Katoen Natie Pet Food and Pet Care