“Always proactive, never pushy”
By Kasper Olimulder
Heuver Tyres is a leading tyre wholesaler, supplying tyres and wheels for trucks, agricultural machinery, and earthmoving equipment. Known for importing tyres from regions such as Asia and India, Heuver serves customers throughout Europe with multiple branches across the Netherlands. Since 2018, Heuver Tyres has partnered with Berkman Forwarding to manage their customs formalities. Director of Operations Kasper Olimulder shares his insights on this successful partnership.
Trust and mutual understanding
When Heuver Tyres was looking for a new logistics partner, Berkman Forwarding was a natural choice. The decision came from a need for better service and a cultural fit. “We are a company that values long-term relationships and loyalty,” Kasper explains. “After fifteen years with another agent, the processes were no longer meeting our expectations, and we felt the personal approach we value was lacking. When Berkman reached out again after years of proactive contact, we knew it was the right time to switch.”
The choice of Berkman was based on more than just their services. Kasper adds, “It’s about the connection between the two organizations. Berkman is a family-owned company, just like us. They have extensive experience and a strong customs department, which is essential for us. Additionally, we see that their employees remain loyal for years, which gives us confidence in Berkman as a healthy and reliable company.”
Smooth and proactive in a complex logistics world
The cooperation with Berkman primarily revolves around managing customs formalities, a crucial part of Heuver’s logistics chain. The process starts while the goods are still at sea. “We send the shipping documents and invoices to Berkman as soon as the container is on water. They handle customs clearance upon arrival in Rotterdam and ensure the containers are picked up on time and transported to our facilities via barge or truck,” Kasper explains.
This smooth coordination between Berkman and Heuver Tyres helps keep operations efficient. “We have weekly contact to review the schedule for the coming weeks, and Berkman keeps us informed about any delays or updates. This way, we avoid surprises. They are always on top of things and move quickly, which gives us peace of mind knowing they have everything under control.”
Hands-on in challenging times
The past few years have brought challenges, from the COVID pandemic to sea freight delays and the impact of global conflicts on logistics. Despite these disruptions, Heuver Tyres experienced significant growth, with Berkman playing a key role. Kasper says, “Berkman adapted completely to our needs and kept us informed of market developments. During chaotic times, like the pandemic, sea freight reliability dropped sharply. Berkman proactively managed these issues, easing the burden on us and allowing us to focus on our growth.”
Even in less turbulent times, Berkman remains a reliable partner. Kasper explains, “They are proactive without being pushy. They regularly offer us new options but leave the final decision to us. We never feel pressured, which is a huge plus in our cooperation.”
One of Berkman’s standout qualities is their hands-on mentality and quick problem-solving. Kasper recalls an example of a customs issue: “Occasionally, we face complex customs problems. After an inspection, customs insisted that our goods should be classified under a certain code, which would have negatively impacted us. Berkman went above and beyond to convince Customs that the correct code should be applied, doing everything they could to resolve the situation swiftly. This proactive attitude is exactly why we’re so satisfied with our partnership.”
Flexible, reliable & personal
The partnership between Heuver Tyres and Berkman Forwarding is built on continuity and a shared commitment to efficiency and reliability. “As long as Berkman maintains this proactive approach, continues to act quickly, and keeps their expertise in-house, we see no reason to switch logistics partners,” Kasper says.
“Our trust in Berkman is strong. They know what they’re doing and completely relieve us of the burden of customs formalities. We highly appreciate their service and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to other companies.”
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