Working closely with this global field-to-plate agri-business, we constructed a bespoke quayside terminal in Amsterdam. It was specifically designed to preserve the quality of cocoa beans, enable quality segregation and operate entirely on green energy.
Our Customer
Ofi is a global leader in food and agri-business, supplying ingredients, feed and fibre to thousands of customers worldwide, from iconic global brands to small, family-run businesses. Their operations span the entire supply chain, from field to plate.
The Opportunity
Having worked with ofi for over 25 years, there was already an excellent understanding between the two businesses. Our shared drive to improve quality and innovate using new technologies, coupled with a focus on sustainability and data analytics, aligned perfectly with ofi’s goals.
Building on this long-term relationship, we collaborated to develop an ultra-modern terminal designed to deliver outstanding efficiency, quality preservation and environmental performance.
Our Solution
Commodity Centre and its senior team have over 100 years of experience in cocoa handling. Literally starting with a blank sheet of paper, we had an extraordinary opportunity to re-imagine bulk cocoa storage. By combining all of our knowledge and using innovation to solve problems, we delivered a industry-leading bulk cocoa storage solution.
Ofi's brief was threefold: cost efficiency, sustainability and quality. We applied our knowledge and proprietary warehouse management system to meet their expectations, resulting in:
- A new bespoke terminal, fitted out to the highest quality requirements
- Gated access site, adjacent to the largest container terminal in port
- Automated container weighing processes
- Bulk product handled using centrally controlled belts, powered by green energy
- Maximum traceability of bulk down to the granular container level
- The use of cutting-edge data analytics to manage complex algorithms on stock allocation and handling
- Better maintenance of bean quality by minimising handling operations to ensure less breakages with reduced flavour loss
- Significant reduction in logistics cost owing to terminal location
- Significant reduction in carbon footprint: from transport reduction to sole usage of green energy
- Frictionless access to granular, live data analytics and business intelligence
- Higher throughput of cargo and better warehouse utilisation, owing to smaller stock segregation and separation of qualities
- Long-term supply chain stability
The Results
- Reduced logistics costs due to terminal's strategic port location
- Lower carbon footprint through reduced transport and full use of green energy
- Greater warehouse efficiency and higher throughput capacity
- Enhanced cocoa bean quality preservation with less handling and reduced flavour loss
- Maximum traceability through advanced data analytics and tracking
- Long-term supply chain stability supporting ofi’s sustainability goals
Impact
Today, the terminal supports higher throughput, enhanced traceability and consistently preserved cocoa bean quality, all while achieving measurable cost savings and environmental gains. The result is a future-focused terminal aligned with ofi’s strategic goals and Commodity Centre’s industry-leading logistics solutions.
This case study highlights what can be achieved through shared innovation, deep sector expertise and a long-standing customer partnership.
