Improving Kramp’s service delivery regionally and globally

In 2025, the primary challenge for Operations was to maintain business as usual while working behind the scenes on two major projects aimed at taking Kramp’s delivery efficiency and performance to the next level. These investments are aimed at accommodating our growth plans for the next 5-10 years and bringing our extensive product range even closer to our customers, enabling extended cut-off times and faster delivery services.

One initiative will improve the customer experience in the Nordics region: Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland. The other initiative – the multi-phased Masterplan – is transforming the Varsseveld warehouse for greater efficiency, speed and sustainability in storage and distribution of goods. Here, we provide an update on both projects.

Fully integrating the Nordics Cluster into Kramp

In 2025, Kramp invested in the construction of a new Nordic distribution centre in Vejle, Denmark, following the identification of untapped potential in the Nordic market. The current warehouses in Denmark and Sweden will be closed and consolidated into our new distribution centre in Vejle as part of improving the level of service for all customers in the Nordic region.

According to Mark Weetink, Managing Director, Cluster Nordics, having an inefficient warehouse footprint of three warehouses across Finland, Sweden and Denmark was constraining organic growth and market share expansion. Additionally, the technology stack – such as the ERP and other operational systems – inherited following Kramp’s merger with Grene in 2013, had never been replaced or upgraded. This caused challenges in collaborating with systems across the organisation.

Execution of the distribution center began in the second half of 2025. Construction started on a new, purpose-built distribution centre in Denmark in July. The Swedish warehouse was closed in autumn, with Swedish customers migrated to the existing Danish facility.

The greenfield site rapidly started taking shape as a state-of-the-art facility, with large-scale groundwork and construction advancing well. Building work is scheduled for completion in mid-2026. Following the installation of automated systems, the warehouse is expected to be fully operational by early 2027.

This new distribution centre is part of a broader transformation aimed at fully integrating the Nordics cluster into the wider Kramp organisation. Beyond optimising the physical warehouse network, the programme includes harmonisation of processes, and ERP-level integration. A new ERP system went live in Finland in 2025, with the remaining Nordic countries to follow in 2026.

Significant long-term benefits 

While customers will see little immediate change during the transitional phase, the long-term benefits are significant. Optimised warehouse processes are expected to reduce lead times for customers by allowing cut-off times for next-day delivery to be extended. Product availability will also improve thanks to a larger and more tailored assortment. For Kramp, the new facility reduces the risks associated with outdated technology, such as errors, downtime and missed sales opportunities, while also lowering maintenance and operating costs. “These investments are a commitment by cluster Nordics to improve service delivery to customers in the region,” adds Mark.  

As a key success factor, he also highlights the strong multidisciplinary collaboration across local, Cluster and Group teams. As the organisation prepares for the 2026 changeover, the goal is clear: a seamless transition during which customers only experience better service, better delivery performance and a better product offering.

To support Kramp’s strategic objectives of improving efficiency and addressing labour shortages, a decision was taken in 2023 to equip the Varsseveld warehouse with state-of-the-art automation. “This coincided with several existing systems reaching end-of-life, a trend towards smaller orders, and the need to use warehouse space more efficiently to enable future growth in turnover and SKUs,” explains Brian Wismans, Director Operations, Cluster Benelux.

The Shuttle Order Storage and Retrieval (OSR) system was selected to increase both picking speed and storage efficiency.

Replacing multiple existing systems with high-tech and innovative solutions was a significant aspect of the planned extension, supported by efforts to ensure smooth integration. Thanks to strong collaboration both within Kramp and between Kramp teams and suppliers, the Shuttle OSR successfully went live in June 2025.

By the end of 2025, the higher units-per-hour output was enabling faster, more cost-efficient and more flexible fulfilment of ecommerce orders. It also had improved operational predictability and reliability, achieving 99.9% on-time picking accuracy and supporting Kramp’s on-time, in-full (OTIF) delivery targets.

Optimising the efficient movement of goods  

The Shuttle OSR is a key element of Kramp’s Masterplan to optimise the efficient movement of goods. “Centralising slow-moving and long-tail products here in Varsseveld will allow local warehouses to focus on fast-movers, improving last-mile delivery speed, cost efficiency and sustainability across Europe,” says Brian. “In 2026, a key priority will be safeguarding the uptime performance of this strategically important system.”

Another Masterplan milestone is the construction of a new dangerous goods building, approved in 2025 after Kramp received the long-awaited Seveso permit. “Once it becomes operational in 2026, this facility will support growth, shorten delivery times and improve service to our customers and local Kramp warehouses by enabling us to store higher volumes and a broader range of dangerous goods on our own premises,” explains Brian.

In preparation for the opening, a Quality Health Safety & Environment roadmap was developed in 2025 to embed the necessary mindset shift and further strengthen safety, compliance and risk management across the organisation.