Why choose a career in transportation?
Redouane: “My educational background in logistics management immediately drew me to this fascinating sector where you transport a multitude of goods from point A to point B. The world of transport, storage, and logistics is captivating behind the scenes.”
What exactly is the role of a planner?
Redouane: “Each day, we are tasked with planning between 1,000 and 1,500 orders, for both businesses (B2B) and private customers (B2C). This involves coordinating routes by assigning the appropriate vehicles, trucks with or without tail lifts, taking into account factors like weight, volume, and delivery schedules. I mainly handle B2B relationships for pickups and deliveries, while my colleague Kishan manages last-mile deliveries to individuals.”
Another day, another challenge
What makes working at VPD so interesting?
Redouane: “Every day brings its own set of challenges. No two days are the same, which requires constant adaptation. We use an online system to optimise routes, strategically placing all points on the map. Each route has its dedicated vehicle and driver, which requires a precise balance between workload, rest and loading times. Our teams also have to manage installations at client sites, adding another layer of complexity. It's somewhat like solving a complicated puzzle where sometimes you have to start over. Clients and routes regularly change, making every day at VPD unique and full of new challenges.”
Efficiency
What distinguishes B2B deliveries from deliveries to individual customers?
Redouane: “For individuals, we generally use vans, whereas B2B deliveries are primarily on pallets and require trucks or trailers. We carry out consolidation for our B2B clients, which involves combining several shipments into a single trip to maximise efficiency and reduce costs. Large companies entrust us with their goods, which we centralise at Zellik along with those from other clients before redistributing them in an optimised manner. This consolidation method is very well-received because it helps reduce costs for our clients.”
How long are the products in transit?
Redouane: “At VPD, we primarily practice cross-docking, meaning the goods collected one day are delivered the next. For example, yesterday I set up the schedule for today's pickups, and now I'm ensuring that those goods (which were picked up today) reach their final destination tomorrow. Our clients have different needs, some requiring daily pickups, while others only a few times a week. We also offer storage services for returned goods.”
Positive attitude
What qualities are necessary to work as a planner at VPD?
Redouane: “A logical mind is essential for solving a variety of problems, and a good dose of patience, as solutions are not always immediate. The ability to maintain an overview, be multilingual, and keep a positive attitude are crucial elements. A good mindset can often make all the difference in managing daily challenges.”
What do you particularly appreciate about VPD?
Redouane: “I think it’s the combination of the company culture, stimulating work, and personal development opportunities. We place a great emphasis on communication and collaboration, and every idea truly matters. The company is also forward-thinking with a commitment to innovation and electrification, vehicle autonomy, charging stations... All this lays the groundwork for new technological and operational advancements.”
Exceptional quality
How do you see the future?
Redouane: “With recent developments in electric transport, I am convinced that VPD is ready to adapt and expand. We are a medium-sized company, but we excel in quality, an area in which we are true specialists. We remain open to innovations, whether it involves new clients or new technologies, allowing us to be flexible and responsive to changes, and to start up quickly. Let’s go!”