"Already people have signed up for next year!

Logistics Day 2024

The ninth Logistics Day Netherlands took place on February 29, with the main theme "Strengthening chains: building added value together. An event that can count on great interest every year. Just like this edition. Cheyenne den Dikkenboer, who as program manager of Management Productions organized this day, looks back: "For me, the Logistiekdag was really one of the nicest conferences. A full hall, good speakers and inspiring debates with a lot of interaction from the audience. And as icing on the cake we also got a scoop from Ruud Metten, manager Logistics Procurement & Innovations at Lidl. He told attendees that their 440 stores will be supplied completely fossil-free from that day forward."

The Logistics Day is known for its top-level speakers. Thus, Management Productions had put together a top debate with an impressive trio: the aforementioned Ruud Metten, Walter Vermeer, director of Logistics Excellence at Friesland Campina and Peter Leegstraten, manager of Purchasing and Innovation at the Cornelissen Group.

Inspiring ideas

Den Dikkenboer: "We want visitors to go home with practical solutions in addition to valuable contacts. And that every part of the chain is represented. From logistics service providers to shipping parties and from policy officers to scientific research institutes. This is how Nico Kuipers, COO of Mosadex, put it to me. He believes that the cooperation that must lead to the strengthening of chains must come from the shipper's perspective. During the discussion with the audience, it emerged that the shipper does indeed have a position of power and should therefore take the lead in this. However, other major parties in a position of power, such as governments, also play a role in this."

Solutions 

Den Dikkenboer also mentions Peter Leegstraten's statement about sustainability. "You always have to talk to the chain partner in front and behind you to get the information and be able to interpret what is needed later. To make sure we are running BioLNG trucks on a large scale, we needed ten years. The same is going to happen with electric trucks and other innovations. We need to think together across chains and take the long view, holding the compass together."

Networking

Den Dikkenboer continues: "We see that on a day like this, visitors make new connections and tighten old ones. We offer every opportunity for this, including the networking lunch and drinks. The nice thing is that during these occasions the conversations about the debates attended often continue. The theme appears to be very much alive within the sector. I heard people brainstorming among themselves about the most efficient way of warehousing. And how progress can be made on sustainability issues."

Logistics Day 2025

The organization received plenty of compliments afterwards. Among them about the location, namely the Provinciehuis Zuid-Holland in The Hague`. "I myself thought it was really special to sit and debate in such a state hall," Den Dikkenboer laughs. "The funny thing is that I have already received e-mails from speakers indicating that they absolutely want to be there again next year."

She concludes, "Thanks to the enormous interest and positive feedback, we will even expand." The final date of Logistics Day 2025 is not yet known, but even then the number of available places will be limited. Those who have already decided to go and absolutely do not want to miss out on a ticket should subscribe to Management Productions' newsletter to stay informed about the date and ticket sales.