Worldclass product c
a worldclass service
Simply the best in logistics on both sides of the ocean
More than 30 million cases of Heineken products
have to cross the Atlantic Ocean each year and
then be distributed throughout a country as big as
a continent. The largest single commodity shipped
from Rotterdam to the U.S. is Heineken. That calls
for an outstanding logistics performance. To en
sure that the entire operation runs smoothly, the
pieces of the jigsaw puzzle must interlock perfect
ly on both sides of the ocean.
The American links in the logis
tics chain are the responsibility
of Matt Nestor. He has been
working with Van Munching for 24
years and has always been involved in
logistics. "It's a living, breathing,
ongoing function. I plan to stay here
until I get it right", says Matt Nestor.
And yet he has little cause for com
plaint. Apart from the occasional hic
cup, the flow of Heineken products
has remained a constant factor for
decades. The idea underlying that
continuity is Van Munching's wish to
provide good service to the 440 distri
butors. "Good service can be a posi
tive marketing and sales tool. I belie
ve that a worldclass product deserves
a worldclass service. That consistency
in service is the only way to do busi
ness", says Matt Nestor, who heads a
nine-man department.
Confirmation
Every day the orders from the dis
tributors flow in to Van Munching.
The orders are checked, keyed into
the computer and then re-checked. A
copy of the processed order is sent to
the distributor as confirmation.
Another copy is sent to the relevant
Van Munching division manager so
that he is aware of how things stand.
Once a day Van Munching transmits
the orders by e-mail to Heineken's
Export Transport Department (ETD)
in Rotterdam. Matt Nestor is pleased
about the installation of the electronic
mail system. "It took a while to set it
up, but the decision to do it was a
wise one. The whole procedure is
now very smooth."
Benefits
Mr Nestor's views on electronic
orders transmission are shared by the
staff of Export Transport Department
in Rotterdam. Rarja Niewold, together
with two colleagues, handles the day-
to-day processing of the flow of orders
that have been e-mailed through to
Rotterdam during the night.
