New Belgian facility for healthcare logistics inaugurated

The strong growth in this sector created the need for a new warehouse, serving as a distribution center for products being shipped to hospitals and medical institutions worldwide. The new facility of the Solutions division focuses exclusively on the healthcare sector.

"The hygiene conditions and the full temperature-controlled environment are optimal for the storage and distribution of medical products. An extensive range of Value Added Services is performed on site : surgical kits are collected from the hospital after use, decontaminated, checked, tested and reassembled before they are sent to a new hospital. With specific solutions, such as a repair service, we want to be a one-stop shop for our customers. Almost all hospitals in Europe are supplied from Ghent, but also private practices, pharmacies, technicians, distributors and retail companies" explains Edwin Eggebeen, Business Unit Director West of DSV Solutions. "The health sector is rapidly developing and becoming increasingly demanding. This has an impact on logistics flows, there is a need to become faster and more qualitative. Our task is to relieve customers of their logistical worries," he adds.

"The health sector is rapidly developing and becoming increasingly demanding. This has an impact on logistics flows, there is a need to become faster and more qualitative. Our task is to relieve customers of their logistical worries"

Adapted buildings

DSV has been active in the Ghent region for many years and today disposes of 36,000 m² of warehouse space. In order to adapt to the increasingly strict rules and new demands of the market, the site was expanded with a new, fully temperature controlled, building of 10,500 m² and 13 metres high. The temperature is maintained between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius. During summertime, the air conditioning is automatically activated in case of excessive heat and so is the heating in winter. In addition, the new warehouse has a freezing cell at -20°C and a "cold chain zone" where the temperature is maintained between 2 and 8°C. From there, the products leave in refrigerated trucks or in passively refrigerated packaging.

New jobs

"The new part of the complex has a capacity of 15,000 pallets. However, our customer portfolio continues to grow, already creating 20 new employment opportunities” says Edwin Eggebeen. “About 30 others are expected for new customers, increasing the total workforce in Ghent to 245.”

Next to the new warehouse a 1,200 m² office building has been built to host the headquarters of DSV Solutions Belgium. It accommodates central services such as HR, IT, engineering, transport, customs and financial services.

An ideal location

Albert-Derk Bruin, Managing Director of DSV Solutions Belgium and France, considers the city of Ghent ideally situated for the distribution of health products: "The complex is located in the Ghent part of North Sea Port and at a short distance from the Port of Antwerp. Brussels Airport is also very close. This location guarantees a seamless distribution network within Belgium and the rest of Europe".

North Sea Port

According to Daan Schalck, CEO of North Sea Ports, this investment in Ghent by a world-renowned player such as DSV is the proof of a good cooperation. "The opening of this new warehouse is an additional anchor for this great company in the North Sea Port. It fits perfectly with our commitment to logistics and distribution, as well as creating added value and jobs for the region.”

The Deputy Mayor for the Port, Economy and Enterprise, Mathias De Clercq emphasizes on the importance of the opening of the new warehouse and headquarters of DSV’s Solutions division in Belgium. "As Chairman of the Supervisory Board of North Sea Port and Deputy Mayor for the Port, I welcome this new investment. With this new building, the group is focusing on further expanding its activities in Ghent, while taking into account the concern for sustainable and efficient use of space. In this way, North Sea Port is strengthening its role as a logistics hub, creating about 50 new jobs and additional added value.”