Keeping cuttings fresh from Tanzania to the Netherlands
For Kili Holland, keeping cuttings fresh throughout their journey from Tanzania to the Netherlands is essential. René Kamphuis explains how a FlowerWatch Supply Chain Performance Scan helped identify opportunities to further improve quality across the supply chain.
Managing quality across a global supply chain
As an international company operating within the young plants and cuttings industry, Kili Holland faces several challenges across its supply chain.
René explains: “Young plants and cuttings are living products with a limited shelf life, and with production and distribution activities spread across multiple continents, maintaining strong coordination between planning, logistics, and quality management is essential.
Any transportation delays, limited freight capacity, or disruptions in global supply chains can have a direct impact on product quality and delivery schedules.”
More about Kili Holland
Kili Holland B.V. is a specialist in the international trade of young plants, cuttings, and propagation materials for the horticultural industry.
The company acts as a bridge between leading plant breeders and growers around the world, ensuring that high-quality starting material reaches customers efficiently, reliably, and in compliance with international regulations.
Learn more about Kili Holland
Identifying opportunities for improvement
While Kili Holland was generally satisfied with its supply chain performance, the company still saw opportunities for improvement.
“Our goal is to ensure that our cuttings arrive at our customers in the best possible condition: fresh, healthy and full of vitality,” says René.
“Once a cutting is harvested, it can quickly lose turgor and part of its strength if conditions are not optimal. We want to minimise any loss of quality throughout the supply chain.”
To identify these opportunities, Kili Holland turned to the FlowerWatch Supply Chain Performance Scan.
Looking at every aspect of the supply chain
The scan gave Kili Holland a clear view of where changes would make the greatest impact.
“We looked at everything,” says René, “from how and where the cuttings are packed, to the performance of the cooling systems, the facilities at the airport in Tanzania, the handling and facilities at Schiphol, and even how customers manage the cuttings once they arrive.
Across the chain, we found areas where improvements could be made. For us, the most valuable insight was related to the transport from our facility to the airport.”
Since then, Kili Holland has begun gradually implementing the improvements identified.
“We started by focusing on the harvesting process, followed by cooling and the location where the cuttings are packed”, shares René.
“By harvesting a little earlier, we give ourselves more time to cool the cuttings down properly and then keep them at the right temperature throughout the process. We have also moved the packing process into the cold room, which helps the cuttings maintain their turgor and freshness.”
One insight in particular stayed with him: FlowerWatch's 'Make cool, keep cool, stay cool' principle.
“It sounds very simple,” says René, “but there is a lot of truth behind it. If you do not control the temperature from the beginning of the supply chain, it becomes very difficult to maintain the quality and vitality of the cuttings.”
More about the FlowerWatch Supply Chain Performance Scan
Facing increasing pressure on costs, logistics, and sustainability, it can be difficult to see where real improvements can be made.
Our Supply Chain Scan brings together audits, shipment monitoring, logistics analysis, benchmarking, and market research to identify quality risks, inefficiencies, cost drivers, and improvement opportunities.
Based on the findings, a prioritised improvement plan is developed to help management make better operational and strategic decisions.
Get more details about the FlowerWatch Supply Chain Performance Scan
Taking a fresh look at your supply chain
For René, the Supply Chain Scan was an important reminder of the benefits of working with a third party.
“Of course, you naturally rely on the knowledge and experience you have built up over the years, and that is an important foundation.
However, when you produce cuttings in a warm climate, there are many variables throughout the logistics chain that can affect product quality.
That is why it can be very valuable to have an independent expert with specific supply chain knowledge take a fresh look at your operations.”
More than just the findings
The collaboration was just as valuable as the findings, says René.
“What I appreciate most is that FlowerWatch combines data with practical recommendations that can actually be implemented in day-to-day operations.
They did not just point out opportunities for improvement, but also helped us understand the reasons behind them, and they challenged us to look at our processes from a different perspective.”
When asked what he would say to other companies thinking about doing a Supply Chain Scan, René’s answer was simple:
“Just do it!”
Unlock more value from your supply chain
Reach out to FlowerWatch today to learn more about the Supply Chain Performance Scan.