Access Europe through it’s front door: The Netherlands

There is no better way to access mainland Europe than through its front door - the Netherlands. Its strategic location, highly developed transportation infrastructure, efficient customs authorities, and logistics professionals will help expedite your company's success. Total supply chain costs are amongst the lowest in Europe and customers in Northwest Europe can be reached within 24 hours.

Independent studies comparing European locations for logistics operations rank the Netherlands as a top location for European logistics. No wonder that over half of the European distribution centers are located in the Netherlands.

Consolidation of logistics operations

And this share continues to grow as companies adapt to the worldwide economic developments. The market has collapsed, resulting in too much inventory in too many locations. Given the current economic downturn, cutting costs is a business imperative. Companies have the opportunity in doing so, by rationalizing their European supply chains. By centralising their logistics network from the Netherlands they can lower costs and free up working capital, while at the same time maximise their edge in profitability and time-to-market.

Key Factors for Locating European Logistics Operations in the Netherlands

A brief summary of the salient features of the Netherlands as a logistics hub:

• Proximity to markets - The Netherlands is located in the center of the three largest economies in Europe: Germany, the UK and France, and is within a 400-mile radius of half of Europe's major markets as to reach your customers time and cost efficiently.
• Quality of transportation infrastructure - The Netherlands offers excellent entry points with two major ports - Rotterdam and Amsterdam - and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport with substantial cargo handling capabilities. An excellent dense road system, a high-speed rail network and a network of canals and rivers ensure that your products reach the European hinterland rapidly.
• Experienced professionals - The logistics’ workforce is flexible, highly skilled and multilingual. Dutch logistics and transport professionals have the requisite experience in international cutting edge logistics operations.
• Customs & VAT - The customs authorities are cooperative, innovative and exceptionally efficient to ensure your goods reach your customers. They make use of computerised clearance and inspections systems and enable electronic declarations for imports and exports. The Netherlands has instituted a system that provides for the deferment of VAT at the time of import, offering companies significant cash-flow and interest-bearing benefits.
• Third party logistics - There are more than 12,000 Dutch companies serving its transport sector and therewith contributing to the country’s top rank. Leveraging the Netherlands' experienced third-party logistics service providers gives you added flexibility, savings in space, facilities, manpower and equipment, and economies of scale in information systems, stock management and working capital.
• Attractive business environment - The economy of the Netherlands is internationally oriented and the country is pro-business. Its regulatory climate is simple and straightforward. The Dutch tax system has a number of features that companies find extremely beneficial in international tax planning, amongst other the possibility to conclude a tax ruling, providing certainty in advance.

Not surprisingly, thousands of international companies - from Coca Cola, IBM and Sony Logistics to FedEx Supply Chain Services, Samsung Electronics and Cisco Systems - access Europe via the Netherlands.