VM Building Solutions, a key player in the roofing and facade industry, had a clear ambition: transform its logistics operations to better serve its customers across Western Europe. Known for its high-quality zinc and EPDM* membrane solutions, VM Building Solutions also stands out for its commitment to supporting professionals with technical expertise and long-term reliability. Operating in 22 countries, VM Building Solutions understood that quality product must be matched by excellence in logistics. And this is where the story begins.

Bringing pieces together

In 2021, VM Building Solutions and Kuehne+Nagel turned this vision into reality. Together, they inaugurated a 36,000 m² fulfilment centre in Lambres-lez-Douai, Northern France, bringing together the operations of six distribution sites under one roof. This was not just a warehouse. It was a strategic pivot: a single, streamlined operation designed to serve Northern France, the Benelux, the UK, and Ireland with greater agility and adaptability. What makes this collaboration truly unique is the co-construction approach that shaped the project from the ground up. “We didn’t just hand over a project, we built it together during a very challenging time,” says Geert Oliebos, Supply chain manager at VM Building Solutions. “From the layout to the classification of goods, Kuehne+Nagel was with us every step of the way.”

Expertise that makes a difference

The Lambres-lez-Douai site is a testament to Kuehne+Nagel’s ability to manage complex, non-standard logistics with precision. Whether it is industrial pallets weighing as much as three tonnes, tiny parts measuring just three millimetres, or gutters extending up to six metres, the facility is equipped to handle an extensive range of sizes and specific needs. Behind the scenes, a control tower organises road logistics and optimises truck load rates ensuring efficient transport across the region, and specific WMS and TMS have been tailored for the needs of VM Building Solutions. The site also demonstrates strong ADR competence, managing hazardous materials in full compliance with European regulations. Other innovations include real-time photo tracking from the moment a truck is loaded, a photo is taken and instantly uploaded to a secure server, allowing immediate access and traceability of each shipment.

Looking ahead

Following the successful integration of several VM Building Solutions activities under one roof, the Lambres-lez-Douai hub is evolving into a multi-functional logistics platform, ready to integrate export flows and support additional business units. Each new layer added to the hub reflects a commitment to continuous improvement turning a logistics centre into a true nerve centre for innovation, agility, and growth. “We see Kuehne+Nagel not just as a logistics provider, but as a true partner in our transformation,” says Geert Oliebos. “They understand our complexity, they challenge us, and they help us move forward, locally and internationally.”

*EPDM stands for Ethylene-Propylene-Diene Monomer, which is a type of synthetic rubber widely used in roofing applications.

As Robert Witzl lowers the camera, his pride is evident: “Loading successful,” reports the Munich-based Business Development Manager in the field of project logistics. The cargo he is referring to, measuring 399 x 325 x 258 centimetres, is not excessively large compared to what Kuehne+Nagel’s project logistics usually handles, but it is very special: inside the container is ESO’s ELT “M5” mirror cell, which will be part of a gigantic observatory in western South America.

It is considered “the world’s biggest eye on the sky”: the European Southern Observatory’s Extremely Large Telescope, or ESO’s ELT, in the Atacama Desert in Chile. The details it can discern in the sky are 16 times smaller than those the Hubble Space Telescope can depict. Nearly 800 individual hexagonal mirrors will be installed to create the 39-metre diameter main mirror. The M5 cell will be used in this construction as a support mechanism for the world’s largest tip-tilt mirror: it ensures that the images collected by the ELT are stabilised and thus made analysable.

ESO, with headquarters in Garching near Munich, designs, builds and will in future operate the telescope. They have commissioned Kuehne+Nagel to transport the special cargo. The heavy transport, accompanied by escort vehicles, travels from the production plant in Spain through France to Germany. At the centre of the convoy: the trailer with the six-tonne mirror cell.

Project logistics is responsible for this challenge. It finds logistics solutions for everything that does not fit into the literal box. Boats, wind turbines - or even mirrors for telescopes.

“Projects like this require a high level of coordination in advance: all parties involved must coordinate and remain flexible. On the one hand, regulatory requirements must be met, and on the other, solutions must be found for the customer’s wishes,” says Robert Witzl. There are also plenty of details: “We check the access routes or measure the building structures for handling in the hall. For the unloading process, load diagrams and lifting heights must be considered.“

This cannot be done alone. “Project logistics is teamwork,” he says. Together with his colleague Tobias Bielang, Project Logistics Customer Excellence Team Leader, he planned the transport step by step - right down to the literal Plan B in case bad weather posed a particular challenge to the logistics.

Such a delivery is also not an everyday occurrence for ESO. The cargo is highly sensitive and, once installed in Chile, is associated with great hopes for science: “With the ELT, it will be possible, for example, to directly discover and observe Earth-like planets of other stars,” explains the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, which is also involved in funding the telescope. In this way, it may be possible to find indications of water, an atmosphere, and even life-friendly conditions there.

“Projects like this always remind us of what a varied job we have. Of course, I am proud that Kuehne+Nagel is involved in making research on this scale possible.” The excitement, Robert Witzl continues, is even higher when the unloading begins and the box is finally opened on site at the customer’s premises.

“The M5 mirror cell is a crucial part of the ELT. Many years of research and development went into its construction. This makes it precious freight and its transport a critical undertaking. There was big excitement when the mirror cell reached us safe and sound. It was a great relief to know such a unique piece of precision engineering in experienced hands for the transport,” says Roberto Tamai, ESO’s ELT Programme Manager.

Leroy Ranglek (26) and Joseph Nickisch (26) were only in their early twenties when they came up with their idea for sustainable toilet paper made of 100% bamboo. Meanwhile, their rolls hang in many catering establishments, shops and offices. “We started Bamboi in our attic room, then relocated to an acquaintance's warehouse, to now professionalise further with Kuehne+Nagel”, says Leroy. “Because they are now our partner for supply, fulfilment and distribution, we can think ahead and accelerate”.  

The start

Leroy has always been passionate about making a positive impact on the planet while also creating a product that resonates with everyone and building a successful business. Drawing inspiration from his Thai heritage, he conceived the idea for Bamboi. “I convinced Joseph, whom I have known since high school, and has a business background. One business model later, our company was born”. 

Holding something special 

For the first year, Bamboi sold mainly to individuals, primarily through online marketplaces and was relaying on word for mouth. “After an article in de Volkskrant, predominent Dutch newspaper, we sold all our stock in one go instead of ten boxes a day. Then we thought: we have something special in our hands. We then invested heavily to develop our brand awareness”, says Joseph. Bamboi now sells mainly B2B, for example to facility and cleaning companies. 

Not a number 

This growth was also the reason Joseph and Leroy sought collaboration with Kuehne+Nagel. “We were storing our stock in a warehouse belonging to a friend's father”, says Leroy. “That was not sustainable. It was time for a more professional solution”. The two knew Kuehne+Nagel as a major player in logistics. “On the one hand, that gives trust: things are arranged well and quickly there. On the other hand, we expected it to make us feel like a number. But that didn't happen at all. We were surprised by the service and personal contact. For instance, our regular contact Paul Aerts said: have faith that your business will grow, we are here to support you. That gave us the trust to outsource both fulfilment and distribution and later on, sea freight for the supply”.  

Transparent about CO2 emissions 

There was another reason to choose Kuehne+Nagel. Joseph explains: “Sustainability is important to them as well. Thanks to the seaexplorer platform, we can optimise our supply by sea depending on CO2 emissions and see exactly how much our cargo emits. This allows us to be transparent towards our customers”.  The two say they are on the eve of a bamboo revolution. “Our mission is for bamboo products to become the standard. We therefore hope to conquer the global market. So, by working with an internationally operating partner like Kuehne+Nagel, we are opting for the long term”. 

Innovation at the heart of what we do

How can we - based on the needs we see among our customers - continue to innovate and provide even more security in, for example, car parks and warehouses? James and his team deal with that question every day. “About twenty-five years ago, I was marketing manager for a construction company. There I discovered that in large industrial environments, there was a great need for column protection. So, we came up with our first product: a bright yellow column protector, which is energy-absorbing. Then we thought: can we also make a variant for pallet protection? Like that, we continued to innovate. Always based on the customer's needs and the idea of finding simple solutions.”

Thinking along

After working with a transport company for a few years in Europe, Sentry started looking for a new partner for fulfillment and transport. They found that in Kuehne+Nagel. “What I like about Kuehne+Nagel is that they are willing to think along with us. We work from the United States, there is a time difference, and despite that time challenge we like to keep a grip by means of reports. We had good conversations about that. There are plenty of - especially large - companies that say: this is how we do it and not otherwise. But at Kuehne+Nagel, they really listen to you and see how they can help you. That personal touch appeals enormously.” Sentry has since built up a stable market share in Europe, with deliveries in Germany and France, among others. And steps are now being taken towards Eastern Europe. To best serve all of these customers, partners in Europe are also active to help Sentry in areas such as marketing and customer contact.

Same values

According to James, Sentry and Kuehne+Nagel share the same values: “If we agree something with a customer, we want it to be there on time. Timing is important to us and it is important to Kuehne+Nagel as well. We also share a high sense of responsibility. We think efficient and sustainable working is important. If you share the same values as collaborating companies, then you can build a long-term partnership.” What the Sentry owner also appreciates is that, as a relatively small customer, they are treated seriously. “To be fair, we found the switch to Kuehne+Nagel quite exciting, but the great thing is that the personal touch has remained. Kuehne+Nagel is a big party, but they pay attention to all their customers. We can always ask questions, they think along with us and they are well organised”.

Future

How does James see the future? “We have more competition in Europe than in the US. In the beginning, we were not conspicuous enough in the European market; we have caught up with that now, with good partners there. We can count on Kuehne+Nagel and they can count on us. I am confident that we will get a bigger share of the European market.”