Crossborder E-commerce Fulfillment

Active Ants is an international multi-client, Multi-Warehouse, E-commerce Fulfilment solution. We handle the complete logistic process (Storage, Pick&Pack, Sorting to last-mile carrier, Returns and Data Reports & Insights) for multiple online B2C stores from multiple fulfilment centers. As of today, we have a total of 5 E-fulfilment centers, located in Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium and the United Kingdom.

With our service, we help B2C webshops grow internationally by offering worldwide shipping through local last-mile carriers for affordable prices. As we service multiple webshops from the same warehouse, the webshops can benefit from lower shipping costs. Next to that, our almost completely automated and linked system provides a flawless environment in which the orders are stored, picked, packed and shipped. Enhancing customer experience, retention and satisfaction.

Our Multi-Warehouse E-fulfilment process is almost completely automated by the use of robots and machines. By implementing the different robots and machines into our process, we've not only made a more efficient, flawless and sustainable process, but also a more humane one. All heavy and boring repetitive tasks are taken over by the robots and machines. Whereas the employees get the opportunity to develop and grow into more interesting jobs.

Because the entire system (consisting of 3 different machines, 2 different robots and human operators) is linked by our own software, everything works together flawlessly. With the result that order processing is error-free, as well as more sustainable. Shipping boxes are, with the help of 3D camera's, chosen to the exact volume of the order. The packing machines cut and fold the rest of carton to reduce the excess air in the box with another 40% and make filling material obsolete.

Next to that, the custom printing on the lid of the box gives webshops opportunities to personalize their packaging, as well to increase customer experience. They're now able to have a specific print for specific types of customers. This way, they can integrate a sale coupon into the design for first time customers, for instance. Or a special design for customers from a specific country.

Last, but not least, the possibility to store and ship products from multiple warehouses, gives webshops the opportunity to reach customers the cheapest and fastest way possible. Special algorithms are in place to calculate from which warehouse certain orders should be sent. This also works for returns. Did you sent a package from the Netherlands to Germany and the customer wants to return it? They can do so to the Fulfilment center in Germany. This, again, saves time, money and reduces the overall footprint.

'Go-live' of our Multi-Warehouse solution. A single webshop can now sent orders from different E-fulfilment centers in different countries. Our software calculates from which fulfilment center the order should be sent, with the shortest leadtime and lowest cost. Customers can also choose where they want to sent their returns. If the product comes from a center in the Netherlands, it doesn't have to be sent back to the Netherlands. It can also be sent to one of our centers in Germany, Belgium, or the UK.

The implementation of AMR (Autonomous Mobile Robots) robots into our E-fulfilment process. These robots replace the traditional conveyorbelt in the warehouse which saves a lot of space and hard labor for our employees because they transport the orders through every part of the operation (Pick, Pack & Sorting).

The combined use of 3D-cameras, 'tetris-software' and box erectors. All products are 3D measured so we know the exact dimensions of every product. When an order with multiple products comes in, our software makes sure that the products fit in the smallest box possible. This way, products never get packed in an oversized box which saves materials, excludes the use of filling materials and saves space in transport vehicles.

Customized printing on box. Our automated packing machines close the packaging boxes with a lid. This lid can be customized and tailored to the liking of the webshop and on a customer level. This way they don't need to purchase and store their own branded packaging, which saves a lot of costs. It can also be designed on a customer level. Which means that webshops can make different designs, based on the customer that orders. Which, in turn, helps with customer experience and retention.

From Imby PetFood: “Active Ants set itself apart from the other candidates due to some unique solutions, such as simple software integration with language recognition for orders, no-air packaging tailored to the product and affordable, flexible custom printing on boxes to improve brand recognition.

The presence of Active Ants in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and the UK means we can accelerate our international growth without having to search for a new local partner.”

From WeightWatchers Benelux: Offering fast delivery and higher service levels, combined with a larger product range, had been on Annette's agenda for some time. Therefore, the fact that Active Ants works with automatic packing machines, allowing the shipping packaging to be designed according to your own taste, is a big plus. "Usually we choose a box with our logo, but I also like to do something different during holidays or promotions. That can now be changed quickly."

From STOX Energy Socks: "But we have ambitions and we want to become market leader in Europe as well as in the Netherlands. The key then is to have your logistics in order and to be able to deliver to all countries. And Active Ants can do that. They meet our ambitions. They can facilitate our expansion in Europe. We are very satisfied with the way things are going now.

Active Ants