New online store and expanded product selection

J. Th. Gerrits Assembly Company is both a well-established name in the warehousing industry and a company in transition. Part of that transition is a new online store, which is now live. The supplier of used and new racking systems demonstrates that it’s there for all businesses. “The great thing is that this sometimes leads to new, additional business.”

The company, which has been known for four decades as a supplier of warehouse racking and other products, is actually doing more and more. It provides consulting services, conducts warehouse inspections, and cuts induction lines. This is just a small selection of the company’s activities—tasks that each deserve more attention than they currently receive, says Lotte Gerrits. For that reason, the company is working hard to make each of these business units stand out more while also generating value. A good example of this is the new online store. “The online store is now separate from the website, looks more professional, and is much more user-friendly. The website’s design evokes the atmosphere of a company like Bol.com. We want to inspire trust. In addition, the new online store should, of course, lead to increased sales—a place where people can click on what they need and then easily place an order.”

Online Store with Certified Products

The new online store is not a marketplace; Gerrits sells only items that it has in stock and that have been inspected for defects before being put into storage. “Inspection is the foundation of the quality we deliver. If something isn’t good enough, we don’t sell it.” The new-style online store is designed to simplify the online ordering process, but not to eliminate personal contact with customers. “If people still want additional information or simply want to confirm that what they’re ordering is correct, they’re always welcome to call.”

Expanding product line

The product range that Gerrits offers through its online store has also expanded. A number of products from Stow have been added. “We have a great working relationship with them. Think of items like uprights and collision protection, plus the accompanying parts. The reason we offer these specifically from Stow is that the products will still be available even ten years from now. Suppose you have a warehouse full of racking from a particular supplier and the beams are no longer available ten years later. Then you have a big problem. And for some items, backorders make sense—especially those that are often damaged by forklifts.”

In addition to extra revenue from the online store, Gerrits also sees a positive impact from work that some other companies turn their noses up at or are unable to perform. For example, a warehouse inspection at a logistics service provider this year led to the installation of an induction line for a narrow-aisle forklift. “Virtually every warehouse benefits from an annual inspection, but this is especially true for large distribution centers or those with a high volume of foot traffic. After our inspector spent two or three days walking around the facility, we were subsequently asked if we could install an induction line. We’ve now installed six kilometers of induction line. This makes a warehouse much safer. The tags, transponders, or magnets help determine the truck’s location. The forklift automatically follows the guidance, which increases safety and efficiency. These are the kinds of projects we love to take on, because there’s a good chance that a company like this will also think of your business when it comes to modifying or expanding a warehouse.”