Hartog & Bikker and E80 Group: a partnership built for the long run
If true success is built on strong partnerships, our collaboration with Hartog & Bikker, a Dutch leading company in high-volume transport logistics and warehousing industry, is a shining example. Discover the advanced automated and integrated solutions in this cutting-edge distribution center.
Spanning 55,000 m² of floor space, the modern Distribution Center in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands, can boast a pioneering experience in automation and integration, housing now 32.000 pallet places within a four-level Block Storage area, with 320 pallets handled every hour by laser-guided vehicles and 8 automatic loading and unloading bays. The total warehouse capacity is around 47.000 pallets.
But this level of automation and integration didn’t happen overnight—it’s the result of a strategic partnership that began 15 years ago.
From Manual to Automated and Integrated Operations
Founded in 1931, Hartog & Bikker has grown from a small transport service into a prominent logistics reference. Their commitment to innovation is evident in their early adoption of advanced technologies to enhance efficiency and safety in their operations.
The partnership between Hartog & Bikker and our Group began when the Dutch transport and logistic company sought to transition their newbuild distribution center from what began as a fully manual warehouse to an automated system with laser-guided vehicles (LGVs). Given the complexities involved in such a transformation, Hartog & Bikker was in search of a partner capable of providing a comprehensive, integrated solution: they needed more than just machines; they needed integration.
"I think you need a partner who has everything in-house because the challenge isn’t in the machines. The challenge is in the integration. So, you need a partner, at least in my opinion, who has a one-stop solution so that they are responsible for their part. And I'm responsible for my part." - states Toon Meeus, owner of Hartog & Bikker.
LGVs within the Block Storage area
The Intralogistics Solution for H&B Distribution Center
Understanding Hartog & Bikker's vision, we collaborated closely to design and implement a tailored intralogistics system. The expansive newbuild warehouse of their plant in Den Bosch, measuring approximately 300 meters in length and 200 meters in width, presented unique challenges that required innovative solutions. Over the years, we introduced a fleet of 20 LGVs to automate vertical movements, stacking products on up to 4 levels. Laser-guided vehicles also serve the automated truck loading and unloading bays, guaranteeing fast shipping and receiving operations, handling all the sequences required by customer orders.
Central to the success of this implementation was our proprietary SM.I.LE80 (Smart Integrated Logistics) software platform, which integrated with Hartog & Bikker existing production systems. This ensured real-time data tracking, scalability, and flexibility, allowing for continuous adaptation to evolving business needs.
Transitioning to an automated system needed a shift within H&B to have the system managed correctly. Reflecting on this, Toon Meeus noted:
“I always compare the forklifts as being in a sprint. […] this is more like running a marathon, so you must prepare more upfront. And if you prepare more upfront, it’s a very good system, but it’s really a mind change you have to have."
To support this transition, we provided comprehensive training programs and an on-site embedded engineer to assist with system management and maintenance, ensuring a smooth adaptation process.
LGVs stacking pallets on 4 levels
Safety and Evolution across time
Over the years, Hartog & Bikker's operational landscape has evolved, and so have the products handled, necessitating several layout changes within the warehouse. Our flexible system architecture allowed us to support these modifications. As Toon Meeus highlighted:
"We changed the layout several times. And E80 Group always supported us. We challenged each other a bit and it still works after 15 years with a totally different layout than the one we started with."
This enduring partnership has yielded benefits, including consistent system performance, enhanced safety, and operational longevity. Over 15 years, the solution has maintained a high level of reliability, contributing to a safer work environment. As Meeus remarked: "We never had any problem for safety over the last 15 years, not even an injury. So, safety wise they are very reliable machines."
Our collaboration with Hartog & Bikker exemplifies the transformative impact of integrated solutions in the logistics sector through mutual trust, continuous innovation, and shared commitment to excellence.
Want to know more about this partnership? Watch the video interview below between Toon Meeus, Hartog & Bikker Owner and Giobbe Righetti, E80 Group North Europe Sales Director.