Working with GDB has helped us accelerate growth across key European regions

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Working with GDB has helped us accelerate growth across key European regions

As one of fulfilmentcrowd's key European partners, we handle the warehousing, fulfilment and transport behind their platform. Brands get a single platform and a single point of contact for international fulfilment, with inventory positioned closer to the end market for faster delivery, shorter transport distances and lower CO₂ emissions.

Introduction & context

As part of its business model, global fulfilment provider fulfilmentcrowd works with a worldwide network of fulfilment partners who share the same values and operational standards. Through their technology platform, they ensure consistent processes across all partners, so customers can fulfil internationally through a single platform and a single point of contact – no matter where or how they sell.

Being a family-owned business for more than 85 years, GDB Logistics has a clear mission: providing customers with smart, sustainable and reliable logistics solutions. From our locations in Born (Netherlands), Leipzig (Germany), Lyon (France) and Gliwice (Poland), we’re building a decentralised European network that keeps inventory close to the end market.

Together, the two businesses are a strong fit. Before the partnership began, we were already supporting fast-growing omnichannel retailers, combining strong operational delivery with data analytics — exactly the combination fulfilmentcrowd could build on. That’s how we became one of fulfilmentcrowd’s key European partners.

Objectives

Through the partnership, fulfilmentcrowd and GDB Logistics set out to:

  • Give brands a single platform and a single point of contact for international fulfilment, instead of separate providers per country
  • Position inventory closer to the end market, for faster delivery, shorter transport distances and lower CO2 emissions
  • Support fast-growing omnichannel retailers with a scalable, reliable supply chain
  • Build a decentralised European network in which each partner can focus on what it does best

Approach

The division of roles between GDB and fulfilmentcrowd is clear. fulfilmentcrowd manages the platform, the customer relationships and the sales channel integrations. GDB delivers the logistics on the ground: warehousing, fulfilment, transport and forwarding.

Danny de Koning, Head of Warehousing at GDB Logistics, on that split:

“fulfilmentcrowd handles the system, brings in customers and does the customer service side. With this setup, it allows us to focus fully on the logistics part.”

All operations run through a single central platform, giving full visibility into orders, inventory and performance. That keeps the partnership scalable, even as customers grow fast.

“Our decentralised warehousing approach enables faster delivery, reduced transport distances and scalable support for growing omnichannel brands.” — Danny de Koning

Results

The partnership delivers tangible benefits for GDB and fulfilmentcrowd, as well as for the brands we serve together:

  • Inventory strategically positioned for faster delivery to end customers
  • Shorter transport distances, lower costs and reduced CO2 emissions
  • An efficient, scalable supply chain that grows with the customer
  • Greater visibility through integrated data and reporting
  • Expansion of GDB’s eCommerce capabilities, including for existing customers

Michelle Bruce, Head of Network at fulfilmentcrowd, on the impact of the partnership:

“Working with GDB has helped us accelerate growth across key European regions while expanding what we can offer to customers. The fact we’re now also using GDB as a B2B carrier shows how strong and flexible the partnership has become.”

The partnership has already generated new opportunities, including conversations with warehousing customers who are now exploring eCommerce expansion through the fulfilmentcrowd model.

Customer perspective

The connection with GDB is felt at fulfilmentcrowd too. Paul Taylor, Managing Director of fulfilmentcrowd, said:

“What stands out with GDB Logistics is how closely aligned we are as teams. There’s a shared mindset around performance and continuous improvement, which makes for a natural, effective partnership.”

From GDB’s side, the type of customer that benefits most from this approach is clear. Danny de Koning:

“Large retailers and their suppliers are an ideal fit for our operations. These businesses typically deal with high volumes, complex supply chains and the need for speed, visibility and cost control.”

Talk to us if you:

  • recognise your own challenges in this story and want to know how GDB Logistics can strengthen your supply chain,
  • are looking to build a partnership like the one between GDB and fulfilmentcrowd and want to help grow a stronger network, or
  • have been inspired by this story and want to find out what GDB Logistics could do for your business as a partner.

 

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