Fuite auctions used machinery: Auctioning is the new selling

Bakkerij Fuite is an industrial bakery with locations in Apeldoorn and Hardinxveld. Operational Director Klaas Fuite is always ready to seize opportunities, even if it requires modifications to his production lines. His motto: if machines are not in use, they need to go. This is made easy through Troostwijk Auctions.

‘Careful planning minimizes production downtime’

At the family-run Bakkerij Fuite, they don’t think in terms of years but generations. Since 2001, Klaas, the third generation, has been at the helm; an entrepreneur who continuously finds new markets and opportunities. Klaas his grandfather started with a village bakery at home in IJsselmuiden. The village bakery grew, the customer base changed, and in 2004 the now industrial bakery moved to Apeldoorn. That location quickly became too small, so a second facility was opened in Hardinxveld-Giessendam. The company focuses exclusively on supplying a range of bread products to retailers and industrial processors, with a strong emphasis on modern craftsmanship.

Redundant machines

Every square meter in Apeldoorn is now utilized. Expansion is no longer possible. When new machines are needed, older lines have to go. Instead of storing them, redundant machines and lines are sold immediately. The entrepreneur uses Troostwijk Auctions for this. “We did the same in Hardinxveld-Giessendam. We rented a warehouse that was full of machines. It was a waste of money because the machines lose value every day. Additionally, you incur hidden costs, such as insurance. By the time you might need the machines, they no longer work or can’t be used in the Netherlands due to regulations. A major advantage of using Troostwijk is that they take care of everything for you. You don’t have to deal with any hassle, and you won’t face claims regarding warranties afterward. The entire process is completed in six to eight weeks.”

Seeing opportunities, seizing possibilities

This approach suits Klaas. Where others might say ‘no,’ he prefers to look at the possibilities. When the sale of sandwiches at gas stations became popular, he jumped right in. Today, Bakkerij Fuite is one of the largest suppliers in the foodservice market. He also saw potential in online retail, which became operational in 2014. “Producing for an e-commerce company requires significant adjustments to the process. Late delivery is not an option, and the product quality must always be high,” he says.

“An airline was looking for a supplier of small hamburger buns,” he gives as another example. “The buns needed to be baked in an airplane oven. This required an adjustment in our production line. No problem. Then you start looking at what else you can do for such a client. That’s when it gets interesting! When you ensure that only you can supply certain things, it becomes more natural for the client to engage in a longer relationship.” Innovations like these distinguish Bakkerij Fuite from other suppliers. “As a member of Innofood, I regularly visit other producers in the food industry. At a meat processor, I saw they were making barbecue packs with different types of meat. I wanted to do the same, but with a pack of different buns. The packaging line the meat processor used was too expensive for us. So, an engineer designed a similar, more suitable solution for us.”

Online auction

To make room for that line, something had to go again. Back to Troostwijk. Klaas has now offered machines through the online auction platform twice. “It’s very simple,” explains the entrepreneur. “About six months before the sale, Troostwijk sits down with me to plan when the machines will be listed online. By planning carefully, the old line can be removed just-in-time, so production doesn’t stop for long. Troostwijk arranges professional photos showing the sale items in detail, organizes a viewing day, and ensures a good description. They also provide extensive buyer reach, both in the Netherlands and internationally. It’s impressive, but their revenue forecasts are accurate. In some cases, I even received more. Recently, I sold a gas oven this way; it went to Eastern Europe. Gas prices are lower there, as is the hourly wage. In the Netherlands, it’s not worth refurbishing a machine because the labor cost is too high. In some other countries, it still is. This way, an oven can last for many more years.”

www.bakkerijfuite.nl
www.troostwijkauctions.com

Photos: ©Koos Groenewold