IVOL

Since September 2022, ‘Internet Sales Organization Luyendijk’ (IVOL) has been working with us. IVOL is an internationally oriented webshop serving both consumers and business customers. With an inventory of over 10,000 products—ranging from car accessories to office chairs, and from whiteboards to steering wheel locks—they operate through multiple webshops across several countries. We spoke with CEO Jim Luyendijk about his experience with Berkman: “When we started working with Berkman, we were introduced to what logistics should be like: streamlined and virtually worry-free.

Working with Berkman: a breath of fresh air

“Before we partnered with Berkman Forwarding, we worked with another logistics company. During that time, we encountered several issues. For instance, once our warehouse was full, we had to store containers with an acquaintance. Unfortunately, those containers were delivered far too late, prompting my acquaintance to ask which company we were using. He had been working with Berkman and had never experienced such delays. That’s when we decided to contact Berkman, and after a brief trial period, we switched to them. It was a real breath of fresh air,” Jim recalls.

The main relief came from a complete turnaround in communication. Jim explains: “With our previous company, for example, if the driver got stuck in traffic, we weren’t informed. So, we’d have three or four people waiting to unload a container that didn’t arrive. It wasted both time and money, and we always had to chase down the information ourselves. At Berkman, everything was streamlined from the start. For instance, we can schedule five containers with different delivery times, and it all works perfectly.”

Flexible, reliable, and flawless

What makes Berkman unique, according to Jim? It’s the inside sales team. “I have the most contact with them, and they’re always cooperative and proactive. They stay on top of your shipments and really think along with you. We communicate several times a week by email or phone, which is great to ensure we’re always up to date with what’s going on,” Jim says.

To explain how the inside sales team handles IVOL’s shipments, Jim walks us through the process: “Our products are manufactured in China. After production, they’re ready to be packed in containers. The Chinese supplier contacts Berkman’s office in China to notify them. Berkman sends an empty container to the supplier, and after it’s packed, it’s shipped to Rotterdam. Berkman handles customs clearance, arranges the necessary documents, and transports the container to our warehouse in Veldhoven.”

Since the start of the partnership, IVOL had grown as a business, and Berkman has grown with them. Jim says, “You notice that Berkman has no problem handling an increasing number of shipments from China. They’re happy to take on more containers, and they always look for ways to make the process easier for both sides. For example, they check previous shipments to avoid unnecessarily requesting the HS-code again. At every step, they think ahead, they never ask for the same information twice, and nothing ever gets lost. They really take the burden off your shoulders and are flexible, efficient, and error-free.”

Quick updates with Berkman's digital dashboard

At Berkman, we prioritize the right flow of information, which is why we introduced the digital dashboard. It’s the perfect tool for staying informed about the status of your shipments. Jim says, “I use the portal to check whether a container is still on its way. It’s a quick way to get updates about things that might otherwise cause worry. It’s convenient to use, and it also saves us from sending emails or scheduling phone calls.

The ideal party to work with

“Berkman is hassle-free, efficient, personal, and you can tell it’s a family-run business. That’s great because it means communication is straightforward and fast. The fact that we’ve never had a single problem during our cooperation speaks for itself,” Jim says.

With such high praise, it’s no surprise that Jim recommends Berkman to others: “I’m now in the shoes of that acquaintance who first recommended Berkman to me, and I often share this success story. Just the other day, I told someone in the same industrial park: if you want to be truly unburdened and experience excellent logistics, Berkman is the ideal party to work with.”

Want to learn more?

Curious how we can make your imports from Asia smoother, simpler, and more transparent? Find out more about our services here.