DFDS Logistics helps Honda get into gear

Honda held a double celebration in Aalst, Belgium. Not only were they commemorating 45 years of the company’s presence in the city and its first factory outside Japan, but also the inauguration of a brand new EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) distribution centre for body parts.

Based on the close partnership that DFDS Logistics has shared with Honda since 2005 in Belgium, the company was appointed to manage key warehousing activities at the centre.

The on-site DFDS Logistics team manages transport, documentation services and loading activities for all outbound shipments from Aalst.

DFDS Logistics received a personal letter of congratulations from Honda management for the smooth start-up of the warehouse operations.

“This letter shows the respect that Honda’s Management has for the work delivered by our whole team in Aalst,”

says Geert Liefhooghe, General Manager, Managed Contracts.

“I really appreciate that they took the time to show their gratitude in this way.”

The warehousing of all body parts for EMEA is now centralised in the new 29,355 m2 centre, from where they are distributed throughout the region. The new centre enables Honda to control the supply chain more effectively, ensure faster delivery and to reduce storage costs in third party warehouses.

Honda and DFDS Logistics share a strong focus on customers, but they both also seek to introduce environment friendly initiatives that really make a difference.

Over a quarter of the €15 million that Honda invested in the facility was spent on covering no less than 13,000 m2 of the roof with solar Panels. The 880 kW project is the largest-ever industrial application of solar energy in Belgium, and the site has many other innovative ‘green’ features.

DFDS Logistics is building on the success of Honda’s initiative by working with them in a project to reduce the carbon footprint of shipments out of Aalst. Geert stresses that the success of the team requires a constant focus on achieving a win-win situation for both Norfolkline and Honda.