Journalist Molly Cooper speaks to William De Keulenaer, commercial director and business development manager at Wijngaard Natie about exhibiting at AntwerpXL in November.
‘We are a family-owned logistics company. We have roughly 200 employees and we are located in the Port of Antwerp-Bruges and have one warehouse in the Port of Ghent,’ explains De Keulenaer.
WHAT WE DO
Wijngaard Natie treats incoming shortsea or outgoing coastal vessels, mainly with steel products. It also has an important warehousing division, storing all kinds of chemical products as well as its own transportation division of trucks. ‘We also have an in-house forwarding department meaning that we are able to provide some packages to our customers too. All in one house and in one service,’ explains De Keulenaer.
Wijngaard Natie is the only company in within the Port of Antwerp-Bruges that has an all-weather terminal. It has a roof covering over the dock where vessels can enter to load or discharge products and handle rail cars. This allows for rain- or water-sensitive products to be transported all year round and avoid any risks or idle time.
‘We solve the mismatch of knowledge within the industry. We have qualified and skilled operators that relieve the headaches of our customers because logistics is not their market – it’s ours. And that’s where we fit in,’ says De Keulenaer.
VISIT US
‘We like to be at AntwerpXL because it’s our home market and that’s something we need to be part of. Last year was a great tradeshow after Covid-19 and it’s good to meet with everyone again. From the customers/competitors relations network to the broader community,’ says De Keulenaer.
Wijngaard Natie will be at the same booth as last year, G70, and De Keulenaer encourages anyone to come by and say hello. ‘Come by for a chat about the market, what we are doing right now and how we are positioned within the port.’
EXHIBIT OR VISIT
AntwerpXL is a cosy, intimate event that showcases not only stevedoring companies, but transportation, customs and many more. ‘We always try to assist our clients with their supply chain challenges and it’s good to know who has what to offer in the market. And the market is meeting in AntwerpXL. You gain the knowledge and network of other stevedores and then, you can always reach out to them and see what’s possible for your customers,’ says De Keulenaer.
‘I would recommend other companies like ourselves to come along to AntwerpXL this year because all different types of companies are there and it provides an insight as to what is on offer in the whole industry,’ says De Keulenaer.
Don’t forgot to register now for AntwerpXL on 28-30th November at the Antwerp Expo: AntwerpXL 2023 (visitcloud.com)
Or join Wijngaard Natie and book your stand today!: Exhibitor Enquiry | AntwerpXL
For more information:
www.wijngaardnatie.be
Author: Molly Cooper, AntwerpXL 2023
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