The Netherlands plays a key role in global trade and logistics for bulk goods. With major ports like Rotterdam and large industrial clusters, the country serves as a gateway for bulk products such as grains, minerals, liquids, and chemicals. These products are imported, stored, and distributed in massive quantities to various sectors, including agriculture, chemicals, and construction.
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The storage and transportation of bulk goods require specialized logistics solutions. This includes efficient transshipment in ports, safe storage in silos and tanks, and advanced route planning for road, water, or rail transport. Since bulk goods are often transported without packaging, additional handling, hygiene, and safety measures are necessary. The right software solutions help businesses increase efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure compliance with regulations.
With Adaption IT’s advanced Warehouse Management System (WMS), Transport Management System (TMS), and Forwarding Management System (FMS), you can optimize every aspect of bulk logistics. Our solutions seamlessly integrate storage management, transport planning, and freight administration, resulting in an efficient and reliable supply chain.
Bulk goods logistics presents unique challenges. Below, we highlight key issues and how technology can address them:
1. Efficient inventory management & storage
Bulk goods require specialized storage methods, such as silos or tanks, tailored to the product’s nature. An effective WMS helps monitor inventory levels, plan storage locations, and manage loading and unloading activities. This ensures optimal use of storage capacity and minimizes the risk of shortages or surpluses.
2. Automated loading & unloading processes
Loading and unloading bulk goods can be complex and time-consuming. Automating these processes with a WMS reduces human errors and accelerates throughput. This leads to increased productivity and lower operational costs.
3. Accurate documentation & regulatory compliance
Bulk goods, especially hazardous materials, are subject to strict regulations. An integrated FMS ensures proper documentation, such as safety data sheets and transport permits, while helping businesses comply with national and international laws. This minimizes legal risks and ensures safe handling of goods.
4. Advanced transport planning & optimization
Bulk transport requires careful planning to ensure efficiency and safety. A TMS optimizes routes, plans cargo loads, and manages transport assets, resulting in lower transport costs and improved delivery reliability.
A Warehouse Management System (WMS) plays a crucial role in bulk goods management. Key features include:
Real-time inventory management:
Full visibility into current stock levels and locations.
Automated loading & unloading processes:
Efficient handling of goods with minimal manual intervention.
Quality control:
Monitoring product quality during storage and handling.
Integration with transport:
Seamless integration with TMS for a streamlined goods flow.
With a WMS, you optimize storage and handling of bulk goods, leading to increased efficiency and lower costs.
A Transport Management System (TMS) is essential for managing bulk transport effectively. It provides:
Route optimization:
Planning of the most efficient and safe transport routes.
Load planning:
Maximized transport capacity utilization and minimized empty mileage.
Compliance management:
Ensuring adherence to transport regulations and safety standards.
Efficient communication:
Integration with carriers and automatic delivery updates.
A TMS improves the efficiency and reliability of bulk transport, contributing to customer satisfaction and cost reduction.
A Forwarding Management System (FMS) supports the administrative and operational aspects of bulk logistics. Benefits include:
Document management:
Automatic generation and storage of necessary documentation.
Cost management:
Full insight into transport costs and surcharges.
Prestatiemonitoring:
Evaluation of carriers based on KPIs for continuous improvement.
With an FMS, you streamline logistics processes and enhance operational efficiency.
At Adaption, we understand that processing bulk goods involves more than just storage. That’s why our WMS supports a wide range of Value Added Services (VAS) that directly align with the logistical practices of bulk processors in industries such as chemicals, food, and non-food.
Below is an overview of the main VAS services fully supported and digitally controlled within the Adaption Warehouse Management System (WMS):
Adaption’s WMS registers and processes bulk products upon arrival via various modalities. Upon each arrival, volume, packaging type, batch data, and storage location are automatically linked and digitally recorded.
Supported inbound forms:
Each of these forms can be easily scanned, checked, and processed using our mobile scan app.
Upon arrival, bulk goods from trailers or containers can be directly filled into smaller packaging forms. This can be a conversion from liquids in a tank container to:
These conversions are performed via an automated filling installation or packaging machine, with complete registration of batch information, packaging form, weight, and any customer-specific requirements such as ADR labels or food safety codes.
When bulk goods are first temporarily stored in a tank silo or tank storage, they can still be packaged later. This is ideal during demand peaks or when packaging tasks are scheduled based on customer orders.
Depending on the required packaging, the products can be refilled into:
Again, everything is done fully digitally and in real time within the WMS, including the generation of work cards.
In some cases, it’s necessary to combine different batches or types of raw materials into a new end product. This can physically take place in tank storage. Our WMS supports full traceability from input batches to the end product and records mixing volumes, times, and conditions.
For solids that need to be melted (such as fats or chocolate), Adaption supports the melting process.
Think of boxes or pallets converted via a melting oven to liquid bulk in tank storage. The WMS records the entire process.
At arrival, bulk goods can be filled directly into smaller packaging formats. This includes conversion from tank containers to:
These are carried out via automated filling or packaging equipment, with full registration of batch data, packaging type, weight, and customer-specific needs such as ADR or food safety codes.
Adaption’s WMS also supports cleaning activities as part of the complete bulk logistics process. After use or before reuse, IBCs, tank containers, or other packaging can be cleaned following customer-specific protocols.
Every cleaning action is recorded in the system, including date, type of cleaning (internal/external), cleaning location, and any quality control. This cleaning can be linked directly to a specific order, batch, or customer, and the corresponding costs are automatically processed in administration.
This digital handling ensures packaging materials meet food safety or other quality standards.
Adaption’s WMS also supports the rental of logistics equipment, such as:
Rental of IBCs, drums, or other packaging
Temporary use of pumps or filling installations
Rental of cranes, forklifts, or other warehouse equipment
These items can be assigned and recorded per order or customer. The system automatically tracks which items are in use, for how long, and under what conditions.
Linked rental costs are automatically charged via the financial system, providing full control over the use and revenue of your logistics resources.
When filling IBCs, bags, or other packaging, there are often leftover volumes. With the topping off function, these partially filled units can be easily filled to full packaging.
This reduces waste, optimizes packaging material use, and increases output.
When delivering bulk products, various final packaging forms can be chosen: bulk in trailer or container (via pump), IBCs or drums for smaller volumes, and bags or boxes per pallet. Our WMS ensures smooth planning and execution of these VAS, including documentation like CMRs, labels, and packing lists.
Jan is an operations manager at a major grain storage company in Rotterdam. His challenge is efficiently managing storage and distribution of various grain types across Europe. With Adaption’s WMS and TMS, Jan can:
Thanks to these solutions, Jan has significantly improved operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Lisa is a logistics coordinator at a chemical company that produces and delivers liquid chemicals to industrial customers. Her challenge is ensuring the safe and efficient transport of these hazardous materials. With Adaption’s FMS and TMS, Lisa can:
By implementing these systems, the transport of hazardous materials is safer, faster, and more efficient.
What makes Adaption’s WMS unique is its comprehensive support for the entire bulk processing chain, from inbound to final packaging. Where many systems stop at storage, Adaption continues with smart functionalities for packaging, repackaging, and real-time traceability.
Whether bulk arrives via trailer, container, or on pallets, the entire journey is digitally recorded—from receipt with scan app to storage per IBC and processing via filling or packaging machines. Every volume, batch number, and packaging type is tracked in real time.
The WMS directly controls the appropriate filling or packaging line. Think of filling IBCs from a tank or repackaging into boxes or bags. All data, from quantity to customer requirements like ADR labels or food safety, is automatically recorded.
You always have real-time insight into available stock per IBC, pallet, or tank. Is there a shortage? You can adjust or automatically restock. Storage per unit can also be linked to costs (e.g., warehouse rent per IBC) for accurate accounting.
Adaption supports customer-specific packaging instructions, including batch linkage, mandatory labels, and even photos for quality control. The scan app displays digital work cards with QR codes detailing per order the packaging, quantities, and special requirements.
Every step in the packaging process is supported via the scan app, from the initial receipt (‘ready to fill’) to the final outbound handling. Instructions are visually supported for maximum accuracy and minimal errors—ideal for complex or sensitive goods.
The bulk sector demands a flexible, efficient, and precise logistics approach. With the right IT solutions, you can optimize your supply chain, reduce costs, and meet strict regulatory and transport efficiency requirements. Adaption offers an integrated approach with WMS, TMS, and FMS, giving you full control over your logistics processes.
Contact us for a no-obligation consultation or schedule a demo. Together, we’ll achieve your logistics goals and support your company’s growth!