With a vast operational expanse across the Middle East and an enviable client portfolio comprising the world’s most illustrious brands, Steven van der Vliet, Group Commercial Director, tells us how Emirates Logistics is at the forefront of the region’s supply chain.
ACCELERATING MIDDLE EASTERN FREIGHT
Pioneering a broad range of air and ocean, supply chain solutions, and road products across an international network, Emirates Logistics sets the tone for the Middle Eastern supply chain.
As Group Commercial Director, Steven van der Vliet’s successful leadership can be attributed to his expansive and varied career across the international logistics landscape.
He first entered the industry working for renowned global logistics provider, DSV, in the sales department in Maastricht, the town where van der Vliet grew up in the Netherlands.
Daring ambition soon saw him climb the ranks of the company, eventually becoming a Trade Lane Manager for DSV in the air and sea freight forwarding department.
After three years of highly successful performance at the company, van der Vliet transferred to DSV’s Dubai base, where he oversaw numerous operations that included setting up trade lanes, air and sea freight activities, warehousing, and more for nearly four years.
Having made significant strides for DSV in the Middle East, van der Vliet took the opportunity to work for other port operator titans, including Gulftainer, DP World, and ASYAD as Group CCO.
BUILDING A LONG-TERM PICTURE
Headquartered in Dubai with an additional five branches spread across the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Emirates Logistics has grown to be a top three logistical player in the country.
Its renowned success is exemplified by the range of accounts it holds for some of the world’s biggest brands in the retail, electronics, furniture, and automotive verticals.
The key to the company’s success is to remain, what van der Vliet calls, “an asset-right business”, in which the company has a combination of light and heavy assets in its portfolio.
As a result, Emirates Logistics can maintain greater control of its assets and overcome industry challenges with ease, thus providing clients with peace of mind.
On top of building trust with clients, the company wishes to invest in customers and build a long-term picture with their needs at the forefront.
“We want to create extended projects with our customers over the next five to 10 years, demonstrating the benefits they can gain in the long run and creating sustainability in their operations,” affirms van der Vliet.
Indeed, the majority of Emirates Logistics’ client base has worked with the company for over a decade.
Many major multinationals have been keen customers for over 20 years, demonstrating the extent to which client relationships are built on transparency and trust whilst growing into new territories.
“We try to distinguish ourselves on a partnership level as we need to remain competitive and streamlined,” notes van der Vliet.
As such, Emirates Logistics’ customer base spans far and wide across the globe. Indeed, alongside its primary operations in the Middle East and Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) member states, the company has also expanded further into Africa and Asia.
Alongside its ambitious growth targets, the company is additionally set apart by its focus on innovation, cutting-edge technology, and sustainably-driven warehouse and fleet operations.
“We try to distinguish ourselves on a partnership level as we need to remain competitive and streamlined”
Steven van der Vliet, Group Commercial Director, Emirates Logistics
SETTING SAIL FOR SUCCESS
Historically, Emirates Logistics’ mother company was formed in the 1960s with a vision to be a leading global maritime and logistics player.
“Emirates Logistics is now a flagship company within the group and set to sail for even more expansion,” van der Vliet highlights.
As part of its ambitious expansion plans, the company recently opened a brand-new warehouse facility that has links to the mainland’s free trade zone (FTZ) and is currently constructing two additional distribution centres. As a result, Emirates Logistics will operate and manage 15+ warehouses in the FTZs.
On top of this, the company’s flagship warehouses are LEED Platinum-certified, one of the highest sustainability accreditations, and it is working towards eventually having all its warehouse facilities reach this milestone.
“We are one of the only LEED Platinum-certified third-party logistics (3PL) companies in the GCC. When it comes to solar panels and recycling water, for instance, or the welfare of our people, we take these things very seriously,” affirms van der Vliet.
Elsewhere, Emirates Logistics is also breaking ground in adding regions such as Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, and will undergo considerable warehouse expansion in several countries with the goal of establishing an excess of 500,000-square metre supply chain facilities in the future.
“Our customers’ success is our success as well, and that has always been at the forefront”
Steven van der Vliet, Group Commercial Director, Emirates Logistics
TRANSPARENCY AND INNOVATION
A strong pillar of its upward trajectory, Emirates Logistics works hard to foster open and candid relationships with its clients and vendors.
“We have relationships that go beyond being a customer or vendor. We try to be honest, open, and transparent with each other, and this opens many doors,” insights van der Vliet.
The company’s strong client relationships also allow it to think outside the box, cultivating innovations for its partners.
For instance, Emirates Logistics recently helped streamline several brands’ distribution activities to Morocco as it looked to expand into the country due to its logistically advantageous location.
“Our customers’ success is our success as well, and that has always been at the forefront,” impassions van der Vliet.
The same can also be said for Emirates Logistics’ partner network, which is integral to the company’s continued success.
This is certainly the case for Newage Software Solutions (Newage), who has created highly comprehensive enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions for the company’s operations and finance activities since the beginning of Emirates Logistics’ operations.
On top of this, Newage has also developed a state-of-the-art customer relationship management (CRM) tool that can be seamlessly integrated with the ERP system.
The ability to evolve and innovate in line with customers is a key priority for Emirates Logistics as it endeavours to find workable solutions.
“At the end of the day, we always challenge each other to meet their requirements.”
Going forwards, the company strives to conduct its vast plethora of freight forwarding activities across all regions it is present in.
“We provide air and ocean, supply chain, and road solutions, but we are not yet doing all four activities in every country, so this is our goal,” van der Vliet concludes.
With the steadfast target to diversify its operational portfolio, Emirates Logistics is therefore set to leverage its current customer base and expand its footprint even further into new continents.
EMIRATES LOGISTICS LLC PARTNER
