AI in bulk logistics

“Digitalisation belongs to us all”

Digitalisation is rapidly transforming the logistics sector. New technologies are making processes smarter, boosting efficiency and helping organisations serve their customers even better. At Van den Bosch, too, digitalisation therefore plays a key role in our strategy for the future. The appointment of Pirke van den Elsen as Chief Digital Officer (CDO) and his joining the executive board underlines this ambition.

For Van den Elsen, digitalisation is not about technology for its own sake, but about the value it adds to day-to-day operations. “Technology must help people to make their work smarter, more enjoyable and easier. Ultimately, it’s about enabling us to serve customers better and work together more efficiently as an organisation.”

That vision is now evident across various parts of the organisation. Planners have access to real-time insights to organise transport more efficiently, customers automatically receive up-to-date information about their shipments, and staff use AI solutions such as Microsoft Copilot to support their day-to-day tasks. You can also see digitalisation adding value outside the office. “In the workshop, colleagues are now working with tablets, and by making containers smarter, we’ll eventually be able to reduce the administrative burden on drivers and subcontractors.”

Support for better decisions

According to Van den Elsen, AI will affect almost every process within the organisation: from searching for information and writing emails to carrying out analyses, preparing responses to customer enquiries and making better decisions. “Not because AI replaces people, but because it supports them in their work. People will always be the ones making the final decision. Above all, AI helps to find the right information more quickly, identify better alternatives and gain greater insight.”