Logistics service provider Hoekstra from Sneek will implement the WICS Warehouse Management System in the coming weeks.
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Specialist in unusual goods
With over 100 colleagues, the 87-year-old family business focuses on warehousing, removals and distribution of fragile and unusual goods to private individuals and companies. Hoekstra specializes in the transport of non-standard products: these are often goods that are unusual in shape or size, but also goods that are very fragile. These products require extra attention to arrive at customers complete, undamaged and on time. Hoekstra supplies these customers from its own warehouse and distribution center of 70,000 m3 and with a modern fleet of over 45 truck combinations.
Process Improvement Group
Early 2016, a process improvement group was appointed to take a closer look at Hoekstra’s internal processes. This led to the need to consider a possible new Warehouse Management System within Hoekstra. This is how Hoekstra ended up at WICS Logistics in December 2016. After the introduction, the process flow for a number of Hoekstra customers was simulated using an extensive business case. Within the entire process from receipt to invoicing to the customer, WICS came out on top. Jildert Koornstra, Warehouse Foreman, says: “With the WICS WMS, we can provide our customers with valuable information about stocks and orders and we can further optimize our processes internally.”
Ready for the future
Due to the link that WICS already has with the AFAS ERP used by Hoekstra, the WMS can easily be connected to the existing application landscape. With the implementation, Hoekstra wants to achieve a completely paperless work environment. In addition, a WMS can meet the wishes and requirements of customers – more services can be provided. After going live, Hoekstra customers can monitor and manage their entire stock via the web portal. Fewer mistakes will be made and goods will be more traceable once they have been to Hoekstra. Hoekstra is ready for the future and will be able to provide additional services with the WMS.