Today, on December 6, Veldhuis Logistics celebrates its fifth anniversary. These years have been filled with significant milestones. "A tremendous amount has happened in five years. We started just before the COVID period; in 2021, my father Dirk passed away; a year later, my partner Mario Groot joined the business. Then came record-high diesel prices due to the war in Ukraine, and we also had to navigate the Maut regulations in Germany," recounts Natascha Veldhuis.
"They always say that if you survive the first five years, you'll be fine. We're hopeful that's true, though challenges will always arise," says Natascha. Throughout these years, Veldhuis Logistics has operated as a freight forwarder from home. "In that sense, we're an atypical transport company. We don't need a workshop or trucks. We work with a team of regular charters and manage them from home. Our focus is on building strong collaborations because we want our charters to enjoy their work as well. Together, you can build something meaningful, which adds to everyone's satisfaction beyond just the job itself."
Today, Veldhuis Logistics keeps around 25 vehicles on the road, transporting fresh produce products. "Our main service areas include the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, and part of France. We have stopped transporting to and from the UK. The rates were no longer viable, and other companies could do it cheaper, so we had to make a choice," says Natascha matter-of-factly. "The entire transport sector is going through significant changes, but I'm glad we've found our place in the market."
Despite the challenges, pride is the prevailing sentiment after five years. "We quickly caught onto the upward trend and continue to grow. I'm proud that we've sustained and expanded the business into a thriving company. When you consider how many businesses in the transport sector have gone under in recent years, we really can't complain," says Natascha. "Our strength lies in the regular group of customers we've built around us. They've provided a stable foundation. We don't have any plans to expand by adding another 30 vehicles, but we're not planning to stop growing either. Standing still is moving backward, as my father always told me, and that's still how we approach things."
For more information:
Natascha Veldhuis
Veldhuis Logistics
Tel: +31 228 - 752275
[email protected]
www.veldhuislogistics.com