6
B ULK D ISTRIBUTOR
Industrial Packaging
March/April 2019
YƵŝĐŬtŽƌĚ
A Quick Word with Marco van Sintmaartensdijk ,
Founder/Director of BulkTechPack International
unique service for containerised dry bulk
technologies. Driven by passion and customer
focus, we support our customers with the most
appropriate dry bulk handling equipment and
techniques. We design reliable and functional dry
bulk packaging and we offer intermodal logistic
solutions, to facilitate the industry a complete and
successful containerised dry bulk process.
Marco, perhaps you could start by telling us
a little about yourself?
I recently turned 50 years old, but since my
childhood I have always idolised everything that’s
involved with trucks, transport and technology.
After 18 years of experience as an international
truck driver with dry bulk products, mainly with the
so-called bag-in-box containers and pressurised
bulk containers, I started working in 2004 at UBC
(nowadays Den Hartogh) as a technical engineer.
In 2007 just after the foundation of BLS
International I was asked to join their team. In this
organisation I grew to a role as director, responsible
for the entire technical department, responsible for
many commercial accounts of food and non-food
customers as well as becoming director of global
liners.
So BulkTechPack International is a new
endeavour for you; tell us about its areas of
operation?
From our head offi ce perfectly situated within
the port of Rotterdam, our team provides a
What led you to establish BulkTechPack
International and what has the reception
been like for you?
I’m very passionately involved in my work, and
the services I provide. There is always the urge to
look further and to think outside of your comfort
zone, as sometimes you are inhibited within an
organisation. If an opportunity arises, in which
you can make yourself valid and take steps that
you want to make, then you have to seize it. John
de Roode, entrepreneur and my business partner
at BulkTechPack International, understands this
like no other. The reception within the industry
has been great as is the drive for our team to be
fully committed to continue this.
So, what are you doing differently to other
dry bulk handling and bulk packaging
services?
We are an independent service supplier for the
dry bulk industry. We not only sell products, but
our team has the experience for the entire
concept and, if required, provides support from
loading to unloading and everything in between,
for a successful full containerised dry bulk process.
What do you see as the greatest challenge
for companies transporting dry bulk
currently?
The biggest concern for companies transporting
dry bulk is probably fi nding and being able to
retain experienced drivers. Due to the globalisation
of trade, the containerised dry bulk concept has
developed into an interesting option to transport
bulk goods intermodally across various continents.
But the infl ux of new, young, passionate drivers is
lagging behind, and we really need those wheels to
complete the last miles in an intermodal routing to
the recipient, to ensure a perfect delivery.
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Where do you see BulkTechPack within, say,
fi ve years?
Time will tell, but I fi rmly believe that
containerised dry bulk will only develop more.
With our passion and interest in the profession, I
am sure that we will grow along in this.
Before you go, do you have any words of
wisdom for any of our readers who are
perhaps thinking of taking the leap with
their own supply chain/logistics start up?
Do not be afraid to take steps. The logistics
world is subject to changes and improvements
every day, so there is certainly an opportunity for
the development of new concepts.
www.bulktechpack.com
L Packaging, based in Herford, Germany, marked a successful
year-end to 2018 with another milestone in the company’s
history: certifi cation to ISO 22000, which made the company the
fi rst exclusively sheet steel packaging manufacturer to achieve
food approval for its products.
SL Packaging produces a range of drums, including tight heads, XL
drums, open tops and composites.
www.slpackaging.de