2
B ULK D ISTRIBUTOR
Shipper
May/June 2018
Distributors look to innovative business models
I
n today’s competitive global market, distributors face not only growing
compliance demands but also aim to increase added value to partners in the
supply chain.
Chemical distribution industry body Fecc is supporting its members’ endeavours in the
next phase of ‘Chemical Distribution 4.0’, in which digitalisation, corporate social
responsibility, circular economy and sustainability are key pillars for corporate growth and
competitiveness.
For many years, chemical distributors have stressed the need for greater collaboration in
the supply chain in order to seize market opportunities and develop business models for
the future ahead.
Digitalisation of the chemical supply chain remains both a challenge and a possibility for
the sector. Building on the success of last year’s Congress, which also focused on
digitalisation, Fecc is establishing itself as a permanent platform to exchange experiences
of the chemical distribution companies in the digital world and explore its potential.
For distributors the transition to a circular economy holds promise and also represents
an opportunity to generate innovative business models, like chemical leasing, to minimise
the use of chemicals and their emissions, and contribute to a competitive economy.
Fecc’s Annual Congress, which takes place n Nice, France on 4-6 June, will provide
inspiration to those considering how to boost their relations with suppliers and customers
in order to face these challenges. The upcoming event will explore current market
demands and expectations both of suppliers and customers, as well as the role that
chemical distributors play.
www.fecc.org
The French Riviera city of Nice hosts this year’s FECC Annual Congress
BVL Forum to
be hosted in
Antwerp
T
he German Logistics Association (BVL International) is to
hold its next Chemical Logistics Forum for the first time
in Belgium.
Antwerp is the venue for the 2018 forum which will be held on
20-21 June. The programme is heavily influenced by the
connections between Germany and Belgium within the global
chemical industry network. A further focal point is logistics and
supply chain management in the field of polymers, one of the
main areas of expertise of the Belgian port city.
The event will begin with a boat tour of the port, with the focus
on logistics processes in and between the companies operating
there, followed by an evening of networking at the ‘Havenhuis’,
the headquarters of Antwerp Port Authority. This fascinating
building is the result of the vertical extension, transformation and
renovation of a former fire station and forges an impressive link
between the old and the new.
On Day Two, participants will meet to listen to special topic
presentations and engage in discussions in the Hotel Elzenveld in
the heart of the city. One of the highlights of the programme will
be a panel session moderated by Prof Christian Kille, director of the
Institute for Applied Logistics at Würzburg-Schweinfurth University.
This session will present the findings of a study ‘Fourth Party
Logistics (4PL) in the Chemical Industry’ at the forum.
The study was conducted by Prof Kille together with business
consultants Camelot and supported by logistics provider Dachser. It
highlights the special factors that come into play in the deployment
of 4PL and LLP service providers in the chemical industry. Based on
analysis of the preconditions and the necessary scope for the
outsourcing of logistics management tasks, it offers
recommendations for the utilisation of 4PL providers. The study
also outlines the key criteria for the choice of a suitable service
provider and explains the influence of digital platforms and
business models on outsourcing activities in the industry.
Alongside Michael Kriegel, head of Chem-Logistics at Dachser,
the panellists will include a representative of Camelot as well as
other experts from industrial companies.
www.bvl.de/fcl
The BVL Forum includes a networking event at the ‘Havenhuis’, headquarters of Antwerp
Port Authority.