First container of 950 marks the start of the collaboration between BayWa r.e. Solar Trade and Gosselin

Like the laying of a foundation stone, the arrival of the first container of solar panels marks the new cooperation between BayWa r.e. Solar Trade and Gosselin. To achieve the storage of some 950 containers per year, Gosselin expanded its customs license from just its own warehouses to external warehouses. Olivier and Sam went on site to attend the start of this project.

BayWa r.e. Solar Trade, a leading global supplier to the solar distribution market, imports some 950 containers a year. Most of them come via the Port of Antwerp to BayWa r.e.’s brand new 35,000 m² warehouse in Tongeren, Belgium. Half of the containers go to Benelux and the other half is stored in bond before being sent integrally to Switzerland. And it is there that Gosselin offers its services.

"Gosselin has extended its customs license so that we can also work with external warehouses," explains Account Manager for this project, Sam Vinikas. "This means that we handle the transport from the Port of Antwerp to Tongeren and we prepare the transit and export documents for each container. In addition, we guarantee the storage of the goods and inventory control. It is our responsibility to know in detail what goes in and out at any time of the day."

To simplify that process, BayWa r.e. has developed a planning tool creating visibility in the warehouse. All communications, supplier documents and emails are going  through that platform. Gosselin’s customer service team can for example assign delivery dates to containers. and BayWa r.e. receives all of that information immediately afterwards. The tool also works as an archive, as all documentation is kept up to date there. As an extra check Gosselin will have a monthly physical count, but otherwise everything else is done digitally in one place.

Slavisa Filipovic, Solar Trade’s Global Customs & Trade Manager, pointed out, “The collaboration with Gosselin on this project has been excellent. All of our needs have been taken into account thoroughly and effective solutions have been found.”

Dominik Dohr, Solar Trade’s Head of Global Supply Chain added “We are really satisfied with the result and now profit from smooth processes and comprehensive visibility, two important pillars for increasing our operational excellence.”

"The support from BayWa r.e. Solar Trade is tremendous," confirmed Customs Manager, Olivier Van Hooland. "This allowed everything to be set up in a very short time." Sam confirms the smooth cooperation between Gosselin and BayWa r.e., but is also satisfied with the internal efficiency. "Projects like this are a matter of bringing all parties together, optimizing the flow and getting the execution done by the right people. At 360 Logistics, customer service and Gosselin's customs clearance team are all specialists in their fields, so I'm confident!"

About BayWa r.e.

At BayWa r.e. we r.e.think energy - how it is produced, stored and can be best used to enable the global renewable energy transition that is essential to the future of our planet.

We are a leading global developer, service supplier, distributor and solutions provider and have brought over 6 GW of energy online and manage over 10.5 GW of assets. We are also an Independent Power Producer with an expanding energy trading business. 

As a leading global supplier to the solar distribution market, we provide a comprehensive range of products and industry leading customer support. Through first in class training, logistical expertise and online services, BayWa r.e. is a preferred partner for thousands of installers and contractors.     

BayWa r.e. works with businesses worldwide to provide tailored renewable solutions. Through our Climate Contribution approach, that aligns with the best practices for climate action and the Paris Agreement, we are taking significant steps forward on our own sustainability journey.  

Every day, we are working hard to actively shape the future of energy in a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace.

Our shareholders are BayWa AG, a €23.9 billion global business, and Energy Infrastructure Partners, a leader in energy infrastructure investment.

About Gosselin Logistics

Gosselin Logistics is a leading provider of logistics services. With activities ranging from terminal operations, forwarding and warehouse storage to customs formalities Gosselin Logistics can offer its customers a constant supply chain. Heavy-Gosselin is a division of Gosselin Logistics specialized in industrial projects.  

Gosselin Logistics is a division of the Gosselin Group that has its headquarters in Antwerp, Belgium. The company was founded in 1930 and employs a staff of 975 that generates more than 450 million euros in turnover.