N EW A FFI L I AT E Plain sailing for new Dutch Affiliate Boy Besseling, Executive Director at Windmill Forwarding the latest FIDI Affiliate from the Netherlands offers his thoughts on the Dutch moving business, as well as the opportunities he sees for growth and increasing collaboration across the industry On the Dutch moving industry The Netherlands is a small country with a relatively large moving market. This means the industry is dynamic and based on cooperation between companies. Dutch movers are quite traditional companies that often go back generations. They have a reputation for high, professional standards. Boy Besseling, Executive Director, Windmill Forwarding On collaboration and the need for innovation In recent years, there has been a lack of focus on innovation within the Dutch industry, because of fierce competition. And there has been a change, with more employers giving staff a budget to organise their move. Nevertheless, over the past decade, we have seen increased operational cooperation between moving companies - a trend that started with the new and younger generation of owners and managers. Windmill sees this trend reflected in the large number of shipments it receives from fellow moving companies at its groupage destinations. Relationships and trust between the countries moving companies have strengthened. On the pandemic COVID-19 had major consequences. We saw panic in the sector, especially among those serving large corporate accounts. However, Windmill was always confident that the market would recover. We used the first few months of the pandemic to adapt and improve our procedures for groupage services and we are reaping the benefits. We are proud that we did not have to part with any of our employees during this period, too. The Windmill Forwarding team 82 On business growth The biggest opportunity for growth lies with groupage shipments. Founded by Jan Kleijmeer, Windmill established the current system in the country. We can service our B2C clients directly in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany and B2B clients across Europe. Demand for groupage shipments has increased dramatically in the past two years because of rising costs and shortages in equipment and sea freight and our vision has increasingly been accepted and used by partners and clients. We are always preparing our company for the next generation and looking to ensure a more harmonious relationship between our logistics needs and taking better care of our planet. On honesty and other company values Windmills ethos is honesty with our staff members, clients, business partners and competitors; and we believe that healthy and happy colleagues are essential for the image we portray to our customers, our growth and the realisation of our goals. Everyone at Windmill can train three times a week with a personal trainer, they have lunch together, and weekly activities are organised outside of work, too. Every colleague also receives a budget to enrich themselves with the knowledge and skills needed in this industry. We believe we have two main strengths: our employees and their commitment; and our understanding of the changing market, which has given us an advantage in groupage shipments worldwide. On joining FIDI The decision to join FIDI was based on three principles. Primarily, it was to safeguard our internal qualities and processes. Second, to ensure quality as we grow our company; and finally, to offer our staff the possibility of further training and growth, which we consider essential for the future of our business. The FIDI quality mark also fits the image that Windmill wants to convey to its partners and customers. As far as we are concerned, it is the highest attainable and best-controlled certificate in the moving industry. We found the FAIM process enlightening. For years, Windmill had been trying to live up to the strict requirements of FIDI to meet the requirements of its customers, partners and employees. However, during the audit we found that there are more points that we need to account for and be compliant with. From the first contact we had with FIDI and throughout, we always felt supported in achieving our goals. We are looking forward to playing an active role in the FIDI association. To achieve the most that you can as a company, and as a person, you must be prepared to put in the work.