How to drive efficiency when the availability of co-products is uncertain? Every day Cornel van Gelderen, manager logistics of Duynie Group, faces the challenge of predicting the unpredictable. The logistics team uses advanced planning software, which optimises the sustainable logistics performance.

Predicting the unpredictable

Briefly: 
<ul>
<li>An efficient logistics reduces emissions and costs</li>
<li>Duynie Group uses an advanced planning system to maximise efficiency</li>
<li>Using this system has significantly improved the logistic performances</li>
</ul>

From A to B efficiently 
“Sustainable logistics is all about transporting cargo from A to B with optimised levels of speed, cost and emissions”, Cornel says. In his view the sustainable business case is clear: less fuel, reduced cost and lower emissions. Duynie Group invested in an actionable digital infrastructure as the backbone of its sustainable logistics. “Our logistics is very dynamic and difficult to predict”, Cornel says. “That’s why we started to implement in 2020 an Advanced Planning System (APS) which connects artificial intelligence to logistic planning by humans.”

APS runs on algorithms which predict both the demand for products and the availability of co-products. Its intelligent system optimises the flow between Duynie Group and its customers and suppliers. Cornel acknowledges that the human factor of trust is key in the process of combining artificial and human intelligence in logistic forecasting and planning. “Our planners need to learn to rely on new technology. That’s why we initially introduced APS in one of our companies last year. When proven impactful we will roll it out to all our 13 companies across Europe in the years to come.”

Trust

APS runs on data and Duynie Group intends to also use the data from silo sensors it installs at its suppliers and customers. This yields a huge potential to further increase efficiency and service levels, and optimise logistics via predicting supply and demand. “This is anonymised data that we use confidentially”, Cornel assures. “And there is more we do to reduce our logistic footprint. We develop a long-term strategy to use more sustainable and renewable sources of energy and fuel, and where possible we opt for transport via railroads or waterways instead of road transport. Intermodal transport which combines road transport with these other options may lead to somewhat longer lead times, but these are off set by the sustainability gains and increased efficiency as a result of better forecasting.”

Intermodal transport

Other cases:

Last year Duynie Group gained a foothold in France by acquiring a local feed company based in the Alsace region in the Northeast. This region hosts many livestock farmers and is therefore a promising market.

A new family in France

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