Warehouses De Pauw : Region Tilburg-Waalwijk, the best region for e-fulfilment in the Netherlands

During the Logistical Hotspots Summit in Dordrecht on 16 May, the Tilburg-Waalwijk region (Midden-Brabant [Central Brabant] region) were once again pipped to the post by the Venlo-Venray region and West-Brabant region in the election to be the best Logistical Hotspot in the Netherlands. However, the region was victorious in the e-fulfilment category. What are the strengths of this region in Midden-Brabant? We have listed them here, one by one.

1. Coordination between education, governments and entrepreneurs

This region boasts very close cooperation between the different educational institutions (30,000 students at the colleges and Tilburg University), governments and entrepreneurs within the Logistiek Midden-Brabant platform. This allows quick and active connections and contacts to be built up. Together they are able to respond quickly to the latest market developments such as e-fulfilment. They are also aligned with other regions, such as East and West Brabant, both at provincial and national level.

2. Active logistics and e-fulfilment policy

E-fulfilment, or the work activities required to process goods to fulfil a transaction conducted over the internet, has grown tremendously in the last few years. Of course there is a very strong link with logistics to achieve this: the products must be stored and accounted for, collected, packed and shipped. With some new challenges when compared to traditional logistics: speed and the use of appropriate technical applications and digitisation. The Midden-Brabant region pursues an active policy to ensure companies in the sector can provide the best possible service.

3. Innovation and knowledge sharing

This region was the first to develop and implement the national Transport and Logistics sector plan. The stichting Logistiek [Logistics Foundation] of Midden-Brabant worked hard to develop human capital and image, both of which still pose a problem for the sector (even in Belgium). And if innovations are discovered, they will be shared across the business boundaries. For example, €1 million was brought together for the 'Logistiek Smart Capital Investeringsfonds Midden-Brabant' [Central Brabant Logistics Smart Capital Investment Fund] in order to ensure innovation plans reached entrepreneurs faster, better and easier.

4. Room to grow

The region is strategically located in the heart of Europe, is synchromodally unlocked (road, water, rail and air), has low location costs, and has a pleasant living environment. And there is still space available: about 200 hectares.

5. Appeal of big players

The two most famous Dutch players on the market, Coolblue and Bol.com, are located in this region. This also attracts other interested companies, of course. Which means the region has become known as the Silicon Valley of e-fulfilment.
In short, the Tilburg-Waalwijk region is small, but has a great future. Because e-commerce and the accompanying e-fulfilment has not yet reached its peak. In Tilburg, there are as many as three WDP warehouses. For more info please contact...