Reflecting on the inception of Boltrics in 2010 as a strategic partner in the Netherlands , van Ekris describes a pivotal moment in the company ' s history . Two fullservice providers , operating on a generic ERP system , faced a common challenge : aligning their delivery solutions with evolving business processes . This challenge , compounded by rising customer demands , competitive pressures and technological innovations , underscored the need for a paradigm shift in logistics management .

His talk was based on the experiences of the cold chain in the Netherlands which could be replicated in South Africa .

The dawn of the digital age brought with it a deluge of opportunities and challenges . “ Customers clamoured for

real-time information , while margins were squeezed amid heightened competition . Simultaneously , technological innovations promised efficiency gains , yet uncertainty loomed large , exacerbated by external factors such as the Covid-19 pandemic .” Van Ekris observes that amid this flux , individual service providers found themselves trapped in a cycle of reinvention . “ Each endeavour to upgrade their systems represented a duplication of efforts , draining resources and heightening risks . Recognising the futility of this approach , Boltrics initiated a dialogue with industry stakeholders , envisioning a collaborative ecosystem where resources , knowledge and risks are shared .”

Looking ahead , van Ekris advocates for a proactive approach to digitisation . Embracing emerging technologies such as cloud computing and IoT sensors holds the key to unlocking efficiency gains and enhancing operational resilience .

Furthermore , fostering a culture of collaboration and knowledge-sharing will be paramount in harnessing the collective intelligence of the industry .

“ The concept of a ‘ peloton ’ [ in French , ‘ peloton ’ literally means ‘ ball ’, but it is most often used with the meaning ‘ group ’] of logistics providers emerged – a collective effort to streamline innovation and mitigate risks . The concept is derived from the fact that a peloton of cyclists is always faster than a single cyclist . By pooling resources and expertise , participants could navigate the challenges of technological advancements more effectively . In essence , the cold chain industry , while vast in scope , embodies a close-knit community , where collaboration fosters resilience in the face of uncertainty . “ Everyone knows everyone ; there aren ’ t many secrets . But that also creates “ Everyone knows everyone ; there aren ’ t many secrets . But that also creates difficulties , as they are simultaneously

Images by © Cold Link Africa

Jan-Cornell van Ekris , commercial director of Boltrics , addressing the Cape Town GCCA conference .

Embracing emerging technologies such as cloud computing and IoT sensors holds the key to unlocking efficiency gains .