HZ Logistics pioneers solutions for seamless fresh produce transportation across post-Brexit Europe
Specializing in ornamental plant and fruit and vegetable product logistics, HZ Logistics is hailed as a premier partner for high-quality, groundbreaking, and effective solutions. Thanks to its passionate team spread across various locations in Europe, the company excels in delivering a wide range of logistics services to its European clientele, including international transport, intermodal transport, distribution, shipping supplies, and warehousing. This holistic service package ensures that HZ Logistics has a suitable solution for every logistical challenge faced by its customers. We hear from Matthew Fidler, Managing Director of the UK division, to learn more about the company’s structure.
“With our current head offices located in Maasdijk, Netherlands, we have been operating as a family-owned and run company since our inception in 1985. Over the years, we have expanded with depots in Poland, Romania, and Austria. Initially focused solely on fruit and vegetable transportation, our services branched out to encompass the transport of horticultural products, shipping supplies, and specialized transport. In 2023, we relocated our corporate headquarters from De Lier to Maasdijk, where we now reside in a spacious, brand-new, state-of-the-art facility in close proximity to the A20 highway, providing ample space for further expansion. It was not until February 2015 that our UK division was set up, shortly after our head office won a significant contract with a UK supermarket chain. Starting with a modest fleet of five vehicles, we have experienced substantial growth year after year. We now manage 80 vehicles out of our UK head office site at Holbeach and offer our services all over the country. Alongside Sam Bedford, our Operations Director, I am presently in charge of spearheading the UK division,” he begins.
Solution-oriented approach
Dedicating the rest of our discussion to HZ Logistics’ UK operations, Matthew elaborates on the range of services the division provides. “The Holbeach site features a multi-temperature warehouse facility and handles a variety of fresh produce, as well as chilled, floral, and horticultural products every day. These goods are subsequently transported to supermarket retailers, food service establishments, or garden centers across the UK. Strategically located in Lincolnshire, near Spalding, our site is in an area that has always been vital for growers who utilize the fertile land of the Fens to cultivate fresh produce and benefit from the local infrastructure, with food production sites all in one place. We are uniquely positioned to handle imported consignments, whether at pallet level or full load, from the European Union (EU) through our head office in the Netherlands. Likewise, we extend this same offering and support to the domestic UK, a service that few other UK-based temperature-controlled operators can provide. To address our customers’ needs effectively, we adopt a solution-oriented approach that includes managing the import and export documentation required for the movement of goods in and out of the UK, partnering with our longstanding customs agent to clear the products, and offering dedicated transport and storage solutions for UK retailer suppliers,” he informs.
One-stop shop
However, as Brexit was officialized and impacted British businesses in many ways, HZ Logistics made certain adjustments to further assist its customers in light of ensuing policy changes. “After 2016, numerous conferences and seminars focused on the best way to approach Brexit, as the original plan was unclear. The immediate aftermath of the UK’s departure from the EU led to unprecedented hardships for the transportation and logistics industry in both the UK and the EU. In fact, we are still feeling the impact of Brexit on the transportation and logistics sector to this day, with the construction of additional Border Control Points (BCPs)
causing more trailers to be held up at ports. Apart from the delays caused by the need for products to pass through BCPs, there are significant fees associated with unloading and inspections at these premises, which suppliers are required to pay. Embracing a proactive approach of staying prepared for anything, we decided to provide a one-stop-shop solution to our customers, handling all aspects of customs formalities in-house to reduce stress for them.
“To mitigate delays as much as possible, we are in the process of establishing a Control Point (CP) at an estimated cost of around £60,000. By doing so, trailers arriving at ports will automatically proceed through the port to our Holbeach site unless there is a customs or Border Force check request. Once the trailers arrive at our site, we notify the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), and the customs agent who then clears the products for free circulation before distribution to our clients. While APHA and HMRC conduct their checks on-site, products will move seamlessly from the ports to our facility, where we can securely store and present them to the authorities. This approach not only results in cost savings for our customers through lower fees but also saves them significant time, as our trailers bypass long queues awaiting inspection. With Brexit necessitating workforce expansion to meet customer demands, we have trained our staff to understand the new requirements and qualifications. Additionally, by leveraging our ability to track all trailers and trucks, we can provide our clients with regular updates on arrival times and any potential delays throughout the day,” Matthew expands.
Customer-centric innovation
Looking to the future, Matthew reveals his plans for the growth of HZ Logistics’ UK division. “In five years, I envision us being larger and more dynamic, with a strong presence in the British logistics sector. The recent move to our new site in Holbeach gives us plenty of room to grow, attract new business, and expand our service offerings. We also aim to lead the logistics sector in terms of technology and systems, building on our strong foundation in adopting cutting-edge solutions. Furthermore, we are committed to being a key player in our community by creating more jobs and supporting the professional growth of our team. Sustainability will also be a core focus, as we continue to implement eco-friendly practices in all areas of our operations,” he ends.
In the face of tricky changes in European logistics, HZ Logistics remains steadfast in providing comprehensive solutions and technological innovation in a customer-centric manner.