Belgian packaging specialist group Europal has invested €2.25M in a new facility in Ostend.
In a first phase, the Europal Logistics business unit will occupy 4,300m² of a 20,000m² site in the Plassendale IV industrial zone. It will also take up an extra 8,000m² at the group’s original facility in Deerlijk.
With its three business units – Europal Packaging, Europal Logistics and Europal Systems – Europal offers a one-stop shop for integrated packaging concepts. The branch in Ostend and the expansion in Deerlijk will form the starting point for the group’s Packaging Supply Chain project, initially being implemented in Ostend with locally based Daikin Europe. A similar project is under way in Deerlijk for several clients.
The Ostend operation will undertake subassembly, stocking and just-in-time delivery to Daikin’s production lines. In a ship-to-line concept, the packaging supply chain comprises: material requirement planning, purchasing, goods inward, inspection, stocking, pre-assembly and delivery of packaging. Transportation of all parts from and to the supply chain platforms, and all the associated administration, will be organized by Europal Logistics.
Europal Logistics plans to expand the packaging supply chain concept in a second phase, when it will be able to expand further at the Ostend site up to an area of 12,000m². Several clients are already able to use the new concept at the Deerlijk facility.
Europal Packaging in Deerlijk specializes in the complete process from the design to the delivery of all packaging materials based on corrugated board. Europal Logistics, with branches in Deerlijk, Vichte and Ostend, is responsible for transportation, stocking, picking, assembly and JIT delivery of packaging of all kinds.