Women in Logistics | Working at KLG

Even in 2019, the prejudice still exists; Logistics is a man's world. However, logistics is just as much a woman's world as it is a man's world. Why? We'd like to explain that to you.

Of course logistics partly means trucks and x-dock activities and this will always remain so, but logistics means much more! Before the goods are loaded into the trucks by the warehouse workers and the drivers hit the road, a whole process has already taken place.

For example, the sales department has managed to bring in a customer and ensured that this customer chooses KLG's logistics services. Behind that comes another whole process to retain this customer, to bind them to us. For many customers, the IT department continuously creates applications and links so that customers can easily enter orders and track shipments (automation of repetitive processes).

Then the real operational work begins; planning the shipments. Our planners ensure that all shipments arrive at the correct address, according to the agreements made, efficiently and on time. This requires a lot of arranging, multitasking and organizing. And that is exactly what women excel at! Lian Pouwels, Transport Coordinator Ireland: "I love the versatility of planning: the contact with customers, carriers, colleagues, finding solutions and puzzling with the planning. But also finding solutions to their transport challenges together with customers."

And much more happens in a logistics company like KLG; how about customs activities, marketing, customer service, claims handling, facility management, quality assurance, human resources, business development and invoicing? All departments and functions that can be performed by both men and women.

At KLG Europe, about 20 percent of employees are women. We would like to attract more women to come and work in logistics. Not only to optimize group dynamics in the company, but also because we consider a good gender balance important. Both men and women have specific qualities and a different perspective on certain things. Men and women contribute to the culture and results of our organization. Sandra Peeters, Transport Coordinator Ireland: "It is important to have a good gender balance in logistics. This actually applies to all sectors. Men and women are different and because of this they complement each other well."

We are a family business that has been around for more than 100 years. We offer women just as many opportunities and possibilities as men. We don't discriminate. We are all about individual performance, ambitions, qualities and competencies. Because of our close-knit family culture, it is important that you are strong and can take a joke. In addition, we value honesty and directness. Nicole Timmermans, Transport Coordinator Eastern Europe: "Working under a certain pressure gets the best out of everyone and if on Monday it turns out that all the trucks left on Friday full, that gives me great satisfaction. I like, if necessary, to take over someone's planning, help everyone on the whole team and that feels good to me."

The logistics market is a dynamic industry with many changes. This offers employees many opportunities and room for improvements and innovations. Advancement opportunities within KLG Europe are plentiful, also for women. Fleur Wolfs, Warehouse Coordinator: "I got the chance to learn a whole new profession at KLG. I didn't know beforehand whether logistics was for me. Fortunately, I made the right choice at the time."

All in all, it is fun and interesting for women to work with us. There are plenty of opportunities and numerous positions. Interested? Visit our website at www.werkenbijklg.nl or watch our vlog about KLG's Girl Power at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k8aPP-5-5U. Perhaps then we can welcome you to the KLG GIRLS.

SANDRA PEETERS, TRANSPORT COORDINATOR IRELAND

I followed the MEAO, as at the time I didn't really know which way I wanted to go. When choosing my field of study, I opted for logistics, as this appealed to me much more than, for example, administrative or secretarial work. Looking back, this was a very good choice. Working in logistics is very varied. No two days are the same and changes occur throughout the day. For example, cargo changes (bigger/smaller, finished later, etc.). I really enjoy these challenges, this keeps you "fresh".

I started at KLG 18 years ago. At the time I started here for a customer whose distribution and delivery for all recipients was arranged by KLG. After a few years, we talked about what I would like to do and what was possible. A position became available in the England department, function import England and support export England. This really appealed to me and I filled this position for a while. From here I moved on to planning Ireland.

It is important that there is a good balance in logistics between men and women. This actually applies to all sectors. Men and women are different and therefore they complement each other well and I think that a woman might get things done a little easier with the men....

FLEUR WOLFS, WAREHOUSE COORDINATOR

Working in logistics is fun because it is so dynamic. It keeps you busy every day and you never get bored for a moment.

Logistics is not only about moving pallets and loading/unloading trucks. We are busy every day with customer service, administrative tasks, stock management, transport planning and customs matters. This makes you a spider in the web and you need to know a lot of ins and outs.

I had the opportunity to learn a whole new profession at KLG. I didn't know beforehand whether the logistics sector was for me. Fortunately, I made the right choice at the time. The chance to learn the position of Warehouse Coordinator with zero logistics knowledge is the greatest opportunity I have ever had. Furthermore, we had internal courses in Excel and German to develop yourself in your work.

LIAN POUWELS, TRANSPORT COORDINATOR IRELAND

In my case, logistics is not something I chose to do myself, but something my father obliged me to do. In hindsight, I don't regret it for a moment and have been pleasantly surprised by logistics.

I came to KLG as an intern, which earned me a summer job. After school I was allowed to start work immediately at what was then VTE (now KLG Europe).

At that time there was a new customer in the UK department and I started doing the export for this customer with all additional activities. I moved on to planning Ireland when my colleague Sandra went on leave for the first time because she had her first baby daughter. I did this planning on my own for about 4 years. But I also became a mother for the first time over 5 years ago and after I came back from leave Sandra and I did the Ireland planning together. We do this through proper division of working days. Eventually the department grew so much that 1,5 years ago we got reinforcement from fulltimer Thom.

Within KLG I find it very pleasant that you are listened to and there is also room for your own input, and you also get room to develop yourself all the time. I think women in logistics are underestimated because it is seen as a man's world. Women can also do very well here, even in planning. Now I have a really great job with great colleagues and also very easy to combine with motherhood.

NICOLE TIMMERMANS, TRANSPORT COORDINATOR EASTERN EUROPE

The logistics sector is very broad. We deal with many different people and companies, both nationally and internationally. That attracts me enormously. The challenge that some transports bring with them and the cooperation with everyone makes the work varied and fascinating.

Working under a certain pressure gets the best out of everyone, and when on Monday it turns out that all the vehicles have left on Friday, it gives me great satisfaction. .

It's not that I specifically chose to work in this sector. In fact, I just fell into it and have had a taste of many different activities. Literally, because I once started working at Martens Logistics, later taken over by KLG, pasting stamps and envelopes with invoices. This is now 19 years ago.

Opportunities within KLG.... Yes, what can I say to this. Once you get to a not so squeaky-clean age, but of course you still feel young, there is a kind of saturation, satisfaction with what you do. You enjoy going to work, but no longer find it so necessary to look for opportunities. Other things become important: such as working for a solid company, reliability and pleasant cooperation with your immediate colleagues. I like to take over someone's schedule, if necessary, help everyone on the whole team, and that feels good to me.