NL
Beekenkamp Group actually consists of three companies and four areas of focus. These are Beekenkamp Plants, consisting of Vegetables and Ornamentals, Beekenkamp Packaging and Deliflor Chrysanthemums. The company operates worldwide and has eight branches in the Netherlands. Although Beekenkamp has been in existence since 1951, the successful family business is still a leader in the field of innovative (breeding) techniques. Erik van Velden, head of technical services at Beekenkamp, knows that he can always turn to Prins for the latest techniques.
Partners for decades
A large, specialised company such as Beekenkamp uses all kinds of machines for material handling. These include forklift trucks, pump trucks, scrubbing and sweeping machines, and pot-setting trucks. Erik has been with the company since 2007, but the relationship with Prins began before his time, as he explains: “I’ve never known anything else, and that says a lot, of course. My predecessor also always had a good relationship with Prins. The great thing is that they are not pushy and don’t try to sell us anything. It’s a very pleasant relationship; we are always honest and open with each other. If I need something, I can call them and they help me perfectly.”
The main reason why Erik is happy with Prins? “Because they tell us a good and honest story. Look, if you have certain requirements for your machine and you are shown different options side by side, there is also a certain price attached to each one. Prins simply tells me honestly why you should choose one option over another. And then it’s up to us to make a choice. It’s just an honest and clear story.”
Happy with Prins forklifts
Beekenkamp’s most recent investments in material handling are Still forklifts and Tennant scrubbing machines. In addition, there were CESAB pump trucks with lithium batteries, says Erik: “Over the years, we have also had many Toyota forklifts of various types, all with a capacity between 1.6 and 2.5 tonnes. We use the scrubbing machines for our ebb and flow floors. These are concrete floors where water is pumped up from below for the plants and then automatically drained away again. In order to comply with our own hygiene rules, all floors are brushed and cleaned after the product has been removed. This ensures that everything is disinfected again for the next crop.”
Prins’ own brand forklift trucks come in handy at Beekenkamp, Erik adds: ‘It is impossible to drive normal forklift trucks on that soil surface. That is why we are very happy with the Prins Tiger and Prins Boxer machines we have. They have pneumatic tyres and perform well on unstable surfaces.’
Knowing what’s going on in terms of innovations
A relationship between business partners is only really put to the test when challenges arise. In that respect too, Prins passes the test with flying colours, according to Erik: “A while ago, we had a forklift truck that was causing too many problems. Prins is very customer-focused in such situations. Our contact quickly looked through the second-hand fleet to see what would suit our needs. He thinks along with us perfectly. And when a new type comes onto the market, he lets us know how it could improve things for us.”
In terms of efficiency, there are of course constant innovations in the field of material handling. At Beekenkamp, it used to be a matter of stacking crates by hand and moving them further with a hand truck. Now that process is completely automated. Better for the employees’ backs and much faster too.
But there is always room for further efficiency improvements or automation. Erik talks about an example that Prins showed him: “Our contact person enthusiastically told us about automatic pump trucks that use a QR code to drive through a hall to fixed locations where they are needed. These are great developments, but they also require more standardisation, which we still need to work towards in order to be able to apply them. But Prins mentions it all, so we know what’s going on. ‘
Finally, the employees who have to drive the machines are also happy with what Prins delivers, as Erik points out: ’Of course, they are always sceptical at first, because they are used to the old model they have been driving for years. But once they have driven it, they are all very positive and see its many advantages. A new forklift truck simply drives better, bounces less and is just that little bit smoother to operate.”
