Tim Beckmann: “The world of logistics is changing. The way we live and work moves faster. Consumers are adjusting their expectations from ‘delivery tomorrow’ to ‘delivered today’. But the actions don’t stop there: polluting energy sources are replaced by CO2 positive energy systems, the scarce land in the Netherlands Intospace believes that these problems can only be solved with a clear vision. Hence the launch of a company that is truly ’into’ the logistics of the future and is fully focused on the trends that are developing in the market. That is Intospace, the new do in which all of Somerset’s real estate activities are housed.”

Intospace is developing the first logistics real estate in the Netherlands that is fully connected by using Polymer Optical Fiber technology. The entire building is provided with a high-speed network that can be used for numerous applications. Beckmann: “This makes it possible, for example, to use IoT applications everywhere in the warehouse, providing real-time insight into processes and goods quality. This allows processes to be optimized and productivity to be improved. There is also no longer any need to incur costs for laying data cables. IoT applications offer many opportunities for the supply chain, such as reducing costs, delays and food spoilage. Smart sensors on goods or vehicles can process and transmit information, providing accurate visibility and insight into risks that would have gone unnoticed before. Smart sensors can also improve the customer experience by activating notifications, for example about the estimated arrival time of packages. A super-fast network throughout the building naturally creates many more possibilities, such as super stable and complete coverage for the use of scanning equipment and voice control technology.”

Partly due to the rapid growth of e-commerce and the increasingly tight labour market, the development of mechanized handling systems and robotization has also gained momentum. Beckmann: “More and more parties are deciding to automate their logistics processes to reduce dependency on personnel while simultaneously reducing costs and increasing quality, speed, and capacity. Especially large retailers such as e-commerce companies and supermarket chains are investing in automated systems to reduce dependency on low-skilled workers in view of the increasing tightness in the labour market.”

Intospace has a lot of knowledge and experience with the coordination and supervision of such complex projects. The company has already realized several large mechanized warehouses, including the largest mechanized warehouse in the Netherlands. The warehouse in Zaltbommel is a living lab, where (future) customers can experience the innovative technology of FiberUnlimited and its partners.