“With Berkman, half a word is enough.”
By Henk Dekker
Complete living collections, chairs and sofas-Tower Living imports a wide variety of furniture from Asia. They over 25 years, they have been one of our valued and happy clients. But what does Tower Living have to say about our partnership? We spoke with Henk Dekker, Operations Manager at Tower Living. “Trust and dedication have built a solid foundation for our cooperation.”
Full-service logistics
Tower Living is a furniture wholesaler established in the 1990s. “We outsource furniture production to the Far East, in countries like China, Indonesia, and India, which we distribute through our wholesaler and ship directly by container on an FOB (Free On Board) basis to wholesalers and retailers across Europe,” Henk explains. “While we don’t manufacture the furniture ourselves, we have local teams that oversee the production process. We ensure the goods are shipped from these locations to our warehouses and those of our customers. Right from the start, we knew we needed a logistics partner to manage this complex process for us.”
“At first, we worked with a different freight forwarder, but as we expanded into Indonesia, it became clear that they were less familiar with that region. So, we began looking for a new logistics partner and, through a recommendation, we found Berkman Forwarding. At that time, we weren’t holding inventory; all furniture went straight from production to our customers. Smooth logistics were critical for us, and Berkman was able to handle that seamlessly. Now, more than two decades later, our partnership has only grown stronger.”
A strong network in Asia
“To ensure that our customers know what to expect, we need long-term, reliable shipping rates. Berkman arranges this by securing favorable agreements with shipping companies. They also have their own network in Asia, which has allowed them to build strong relationships with our production partners. This gives us a competitive edge. We set the shipping specifications, and our production partners book the transport directly with Berkman based on our agreements. This enables us to handle large volumes efficiently with minimal oversight.”
Digital dashboard: fast and efficient communication
“Digital tools have streamlined our operations,” Henk says. “We used to rely on physical documents, but now everything is managed online. Berkman’s digital dashboard integrates perfectly with our system. We can communicate, share documents, and check shipment statuses with just a click-it’s quick and easy. We’re also working on forwarding Berkman’s order information directly to our customers, so they stay informed in real-time.”
In the world of logistics, things can be unpredictable. Henk points to the example of the Ever Given, the ship that blocked the Suez Canal in 2021, disrupting global shipping for days. “An incident like that throws logistics into chaos. That’s when you want a partner who can think ahead and provide solutions. Thankfully, Berkman did just that. Their close coordination with shipping companies helped us minimize the impact. They also have up-to-date knowledge of the best routes, something that’s difficult for us to track ourselves, but Berkman is always on top of it. We could rely on them.”
Trustworthy and committed
“Trust and dedication are the cornerstones of our partnerships,” says Henk. “As a company, we need to focus on our services, and to do that, we rely on external partners who share our commitment to serving our customers. With Berkman, this works extremely well. Even though coordinating with shipping companies can be complex, they always deliver on their promises. And if any issues arise, they are quick to find a solution. The communication is efficient, and we have consistent points of contact. While those contacts have changed over the years, it hasn’t affected the quality of our cooperation. It doesn’t matter who’s on the other end of the line; the partnership continues smoothly. That’s something I really appreciate.”
“I would absolutely recommend partnering with Berkman,” Henk concludes. “In fact, we do it often. Berkman communicates directly with our customers since they manage the shipments without our involvement. That we trust them with this responsibility speaks volumes. New partnerships often emerge from these contacts, helping us all move forward together.”
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.
