In early 2024 , Dock Services took a big step forrader . A ' smart ' mechanically skillful sorting system was install to increase the throughput of flowers spell from Africa . After some initial challenges , much of the cognitive process is now amply automated and more effective . Step by measure , this go to more and more benefits for customer .
Dock Services has been around for about 20 twelvemonth . As part of Royal FloraHolland , it looks after 16 consequence federal agent representing around 50 agriculturalist at its three major logistics kernel . " In Aalsmeer alone , the department handles around 4.6 million boxes a class , " explains Bernard Piet , coach of Dock Services . " This means that we get an norm of 300 consignment of international floriculture production each week . The flower - mostly blush wine - come from Africa , the plants chiefly from Italy . "
The prime are packed in boxes and brought to Dock Services from the airports of Liège , Brussels , Frankfurt , Maastricht and Schiphol . Importers can drop their products 24 hours a day . The squad then sorts the incoming flowers and plants - by case , distance , agriculturist , buyer , order or any combining of these . The flowers are then delivered to the agent , who prepares the products for clock or unmediated sales . As an prescribed inspection site , Dock Services also provides support for inspections by the Quality Control Bureau ( KCB ) and Customs .
ChallengesFor many years , the sorting summons at Dock Services Aalsmeer was manual , say Bernard . " But since last year , it has been done mechanically . This mean that heyday boxes are now scan and checked on the conveyor belt as they arrive . Throughput increases from 800 to 2,000 cartons per hour . "
Such a move to automation has its challenge , says Bernard . " When making such change , it is authoritative that the whole chain is involved . Together , we imprint a internet in which we need each other to achieve efficient processes . Once the new machine was in place , it took a few month for everything to match together . For example , if not all growers pack and recording label aright , this will get delays . We regularly found that the information on the thorn on the box seat did not mate the backpacking inclination . shipment were found to be incomplete . As a termination , the sorting machine could not run at full fastness , causing delays . Fortunately , all the teethe problems are now behind us and our agriculturist and agent bang how of import the label and right information are .
Keep improvingStep by stone’s throw , the improvements became obtrusive and by the fall of 2024 , fortunately , before the peak time period began , the yield of this groundbreaking investment funds could be see . " The whole process is so much better now . The identification number of processing errors is abbreviate and products are processed quicker . As a result , we can process more and more products .
In late years , standards and communicating in the chain have been greatly improved as a prerequisite for further mechanization and efficiency . Claude Bernard : " Just last year , boxes of intemperate - to - read book of instructions arrived from Africa . These boxes then contain all kinds of flowers of different lengths . Now they all have doubled toughie with QR code on them , so everything is easy to chase after . This is a Brobdingnagian stone’s throw forrard and increase the efficiency of import processing . "
Pro sportThe positive developments are reflected in the market . late , Marginpar began using Dock Services . Meanwhile , Bernard and his team continue to center on further process advance . " Our professing is sometimes like pro play , " order Bernard . " You are as good as your last game . So we have to ensure we keep improving . "
For more information : Royal FloraHollandwww.royalfloraholland.com
