H.Essers and Proximus: together for a sustainable supply chain

Collin Springuel explains, “For our sustainability strategy, we at H.Essers use five lines of force as a compass. These go beyond just the ecological footprint, and include, for example, the mental and physical well-being of our employees. We translate these five lines of force into concrete ambitions, which we measure against specific KPIs. Our sustainability report charts the objectives and achievements.”

Carbon-neutral

“For example, we have already invested a great deal in our own renewable energy, and we are strongly committed to synchromodality: the ability to use different modes of transport such as rail, inland waterways, and air. When choosing the appropriate mode of transport, we map out the impact on CO2 emissions. We make intensive use of rail transport, for example, via the New Silk Road to China.”

When choosing the appropriate mode of transport, we map out the impact on CO2 emissions.

Collin Springuel, Business Unit Manager at H.Essers

Shared mission

H.Essers found the ideal partner in Proximus to shape a shared sustainability mission. Collin explains, “There are various flows within the Proximus supply chain: technicians in urgent need of parts, serving retail outlets or delivering to customers’ homes. Moreover, there are major supply peaks, for example, on Black Friday. Together, we will look for ways to further optimize that complex supply chain, from storage to logistics.”

“To this end, we have coordinated our software, such as the warehouse systems, with each other. We are embracing new technologies, including automatic processing machines tailored to the specifics of Proximus’s goods flows. But we have also found common ground in the area of office and warehouse equipment.”

Sustainability as a process

Proximus and H.Essers decided to build a distribution center in Courcelles a decade ago. In doing so, they immediately focused on obtaining the BREEAM sustainability certificate. Collin continued, “This translates into solar panels, heat pumps, heat recovery, and intensive energy monitoring. We also offer employment opportunities to people who cannot find jobs in the ‘regular’ labor circuit.”

“We regularly organize strategic meetings, during which we zoom in on making our processes more sustainable. This interaction ensures, for example, that the large-scale exchange of modems and decoders takes place in a sustainable manner. In addition, we place the circular economy high on the agenda. Our common ambition is to make the distribution center the benchmark for circularity in Belgium.”