Flower order picking in Aalsmeer: on 10 and 24 September, we’ll be taking the next step

Step by step, RFH is transitioning from distribution to order picking and delivery in time slots. Care and attention are our top priorities. We are gaining experience, learning and optimising our processes before taking the next step. In Rijnsburg and Naaldwijk, all flowers and plants are now already subject to order picking. In Aalsmeer, all plants and approximately 25 per cent of the flowers are currently picked to order. In September, we will further expand flower order picking in Aalsmeer to include a number of auction groups. You can find out which ones in this post. 

Which auction groups, and when? 

The auction groups that will switch to order picking from 10 September are: 

• 10 - Bouvardia  
• 27 - Exclusive refrigerated  
• 30 - Eremurus grp  
• 45 - Lathyrus  
• 48 - Nerine grp  
• 59 - Forced shrubs  
• 67 - Forced shrubs bunches  
• 92 - Replaced/Reclassified Cl 11  
• 122 - Dianthus barb.grp  
• 141 - Summerflowers  
• 143 - Celosia  
• 282 - Camp/Clem/Scab  
• 344 - Zantedeschia 
• 508 - Connect vr kcel 8 gr 
• 680 - Cymbidium gr bl tak 
• 690 - Cymbidium mini p tak 

The auction groups that will switch to order picking from 24 September: 

• 28 - Dianthus standard 
• 29 - Dianthus spray  
• 86 - Viburnum opulus  
• 102 - Hippeastrum GP 
• 110 - Rosa spray 110 
• 120 - Mathiola/Veronica/Amarant 
• 128 - Bupleurum grp
• 129 - Solidago grp
• 130 - Carthamus grp 
• 164 - Rosa spray Novelties 
• 200 - Rosa 200 
• 271 - Hippeastrum 
• 292 - Hyacinthus 
• 322 - Lilium orientalis 
• 323 - Lilium longiflorum 
• 324 - Lilium la/asiaticum  
• 327 - Lilium Oriental GP+ 
• 351 - Narcissus/Muscari  

For the auction groups that are being transferred, Floriday Daytrade will not yet be available during the first few weeks following the transfer. 

Order picking brings with it a number of changes and opportunities:  

Growers: thanks to order picking, the auction sequence of the auction groups is no longer dependent on the logistical layout. From September onwards, the auction sequence will be determined by randomly selecting growers by administration number. Furthermore, as a grower, you will have more opportunities to determine the auction sequence of the products yourself. 

Buyers: The auction sequence no longer determines the delivery order. This means that flowers you buy early are not always delivered first. It may therefore happen that you receive the flowers that are order-picked[Vd2.1][CW2.2] in a different order to what you were used to during distribution. 

Inspections 
The flowers being transferred to order picking are arranged differently from what you are used to in the distribution process. This means a change for inspections. The layout is similar to cold storage units 035 and 138, where we already carry out order picking. To make the transition as smooth as possible, new functionalities are being developed, such as picking lists in RFH Pre-Auction. Buyers in Aalsmeer will receive further information on this before 24 September. 

Order picking forms part of Strategy 2030, under which RFH is developing customised logistics and more efficient logistics hubs. The aim is to organise the logistics process in a more uniform and future-proof manner across all hubs. In doing so, we are focusing on both the logistics for the clock and on direct trade transactions via Floriday Daytrade. 

Next steps 
If everything goes well in September, we will decide whether and when to take the next step, and which auction groups will be involved. RFH will continue to engage with buyers and growers to jointly determine the most appropriate way forward. 

Questions about order picking? 
Would you like to know more or do you have any questions? Please contact the Client Contact Centre or your account manager.