The origin of SmartWay Logistics
Relationship with Van der Wal
In 2008, Van der Wal started the 4PL brand SmartWay Logistics (SWL) to handle the complete management of your logistics activities for you and to optimize your logistics processes.
In 2009, we started SWL activities in the Netherlands (Utrecht), Poland (Gniezno), and in 2013 also in the UK (Brighton).
The advantages of SmartWay's transport DNA
SmartWay Logistics is an independent fourth-party logistics provider (4PL) within Van der Wal.
As a transport and logistics service provider, Van der Wal offers 2PL, 3PL, and 4PL solutions and has branches in the Netherlands, The United Kingdom, Poland and Romania.
Smart transport is sustainable transport
Van der Wal has been convinced that cutting inefficiency contributes substantially to the transition to sustainable transport for many decades.
This drive is embodied deeply in SmartWay Logistics' DNA and way of working.
Almost 100 years of experience
Van der Wal will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2024. That means almost 100 years of experience in the smart planning of transport in the field of 2PL and 3PL.
Therefore, we can safely say: "We know the ins and outs of transport and logistics."
Independent 4PL logistics provider
As an independent 4PL brand, SmartWay Logistics can focus 100% on innovative and out-of-the-box solutions to make logistics and transport more sustainable.
At the same time, we can benefit from the knowledge and experience of Van der Wal.
The story of SmartWay Logistics...
Did you know that SmartWay Logistics is part of van der Wal?
And do you know why SmartWay Logistics started? This is our story.
It all started with...
Van der Wal. A logistics service provider with assets. Founded in 1924, the company has existed for almost 100 years and has a great history and lots of knowledge about the transport industry. Another thing you want to know about Van der Wal is our strong drive for a sustainable (transport) world.
Empty trucks
Many of the trucks on the road run entirely or partly empty. This is a notorious logistics challenge; even today, about one-third of the trucks are empty. So, tackling this challenge can make transport far more sustainable and profitable.
Thus, in 2008, the people of Van der Wal had been concerned about high empty running for years and learned many best practices to increase capacity ratios and decrease empty mileage.
Too good to be true
To make an impact, the team wanted to share their experience. Being 'just' an ordinary transport company, convincing their customers to implement these solutions was hard.
Many wondered why Van der Wal shared this information when they could keep it for their own benefit.
It was 'too good to be true.' However, it wasn't...
2008: Smart for Sustainability
The solution: SmartWay Logistics, a neutral 4PL service provider with the sole purpose of managing road transport in a 'smarter' way. By smarter, we mean using transport capacity more efficiently and, thereby, more sustainably.
Shared expertise
SmartWay Logistics and Van der Wal staff share the same office in the Netherlands, Poland and the UK. Hence, the expertise of Van der Wal and SmartWay Logistics transfers easily between the employees of both brands.
From custom clearance rules to slot booking systems and fuel calculators to equipment regulations, we are right in the middle of it, so we know all the ins and outs that carriers have to deal with.
2022: Implement best practices at scale
With SmartWay Logistics, we plan over 350 thousand orders a year for our customers throughout Europe and beyond.
One of the benefits of being part of Van der Wal is that we have transport expertise in-house with real-life experience in planning, loading and unloading trucks.
Connecting worlds
As a 4PL working on behalf of shippers and carriers, we can't help but connect these two worlds in the most beneficial way for both parties. By operating as a neutral party, we can connect transport flows and reduce empty mileage.
Naturally, our planet is the ultimate winner of this 'smart' cooperation between shippers and carriers.
Our services
SmartWay Logistics offers a wide range of 4PL services. With our in-house experts, we can advise you on a consulting basis or coordinate any preferred control tower functionalities on your behalf.
