‘Safety knives should become norm in logistics’

In many warehouses, people still work daily with break-off blades or improvised cutting tools; with all the risks that entails. For years, cuts have been among the most common causes of industrial accidents in logistics. Things can be done differently, says Coen Wijnants, director of Akta Trading from Emmeloord. As an exclusive partner of the German brand Martor, his company supplies safety knives that protect not only the user but also the packaging and contents.

“We see it as our mission to help companies literally cut more safely,” says Wijnants. “A cut means absenteeism, costs and delays. With Martor's safety knives, you can prevent that without sacrificing speed or ease of use.”

German solidity in cutting safety

The cooperation between Akta Trading and Martor began more than 35 years ago, when Wijnants’ grandfather discovered the brand at a trade fair in Germany. Since then, Akta has grown into what Wijnants jokingly calls “Martor Netherlands.” From Solingen, the famous German knife city, Martor supplies a wide range of safety knives with advanced mechanics: from automatically retracting blades to fully shielded blades that prevent users from injuring themselves.

Innovations follow each other in rapid succession. “Recently Martor introduced a knife that can cut through three layers of cardboard without touching the contents,” says Wijnants. “For the food industry, there are special knives where broken parts are easily detected by metal detectors, without the need to retrieve an entire batch. Everything is produced in Germany, with raw materials from the immediate area. That makes it not only safe, but also sustainable.”

From training to total solution

Akta Trading supplies more than just products. The company also provides extensive on-site training so that employees learn to work safely with the new knives. “We find that the switch requires a change in behavior for many companies,” says Wijnants. “You don't just convince someone who has been working with their own pocket knife for 30 years. That's why we take people step by step, often together with safety experts and buyers. We provide the whole package: the knives, the instruction, and even containers for the safe disposal of used knives.”

With major clients within retail and e-commerce, Akta Trading is now firmly entrenched in the Dutch logistics chain. Large distribution centers consume large numbers of knives every year, from disposable models to personal, durable knives with automatic retraction. “Safety is no longer a choice, but a requirement,” says Wijnants. “More and more companies are prescribing safety knives, even with their subcontractors.”

Innovation and growth

Martor continues to invest heavily in research and development. Each new knife is extensively tested for durability and safety until it literally breaks. “They take their time in Germany,” Wijnants says with admiration. “A new product doesn't hit the market until it's really perfect. That suits their mentality: quality above all else.”

Although Akta Trading is small - six employees, three in the back office - the company operates with great clout. From Emmeloord, stock is replenished weekly from Solingen. With the soon-to-be-launched webshop AktaTools.nl, the company is also responding to the growing online demand for safety products.

Marine structure in a knife company

Before Wijnants took over the family business, he served as an officer in the Royal Navy. That experience serves him well. “In the Navy, you learn to make decisions under pressure and take responsibility for your team. That's exactly what you need in a small company where everyone thinks along.”

The market for safety knives is growing steadily, due in part to stricter safety standards and increasing awareness among employers. Wijnants expects that trend to continue. “There is cutting in every warehouse. The question is not whether, but how to do it safely. Our goal is for the safety knife to become the new standard.” 

Akta Trading will be at the Empack fair in Gorinchem from April 4 to 16, 2026. Stand number H38