It starts with IT. KSZ Transport uses systems that bring orders, delivery windows and traffic information together into a single proposal for the planner. That produces shorter routes, fewer empty kilometres and less waiting time. “For each journey we see the best order of stops and the best moment to depart,” says Valkenburg. “If an unloading window shifts or there is congestion, we adjust. Every kilometre you do not drive will save on the charge and on CO₂.”

 

Advice to customers is an explicit part of that. “We look at it together: can you load a quarter of an hour earlier, widen a window or use a different hub?” says Valkenburg. “It sounds small, but the effect is considerable. We help customers make the smartest choice for each consignment.”

 

The location of KSZ is a deliberate choice as well. That is why KSZ Transport added a site in Culemborg last year. From Culemborg, in the centre of the country and close to motorways and logistics hubs, many destinations are quicker to reach. That makes approach and return routes shorter and bundling flows easier. “Being central saves kilometres,” says Valkenburg. “And fewer kilometres means lower costs straight away and more room in the planning. It is an advantage that pays off every day.”

 

In parallel, KSZ is building an electric fleet. Twenty-two electric trucks have been purchased and are being brought into service in phases. The first two are already on the road. To run that fleet properly, a new warehouse is being built with a charging yard and charging infrastructure. There, vehicles can be charged intelligently during off-peak hours and prepared for departure. “Driving electric calls for rhythm,” Valkenburg explains. “With our own charging infrastructure we set that rhythm ourselves. That keeps availability, costs and service under control.”

 

The combination of IT, advice, location and electric driving is meant to deliver predictable, transparent costs. Customers get insight into journeys, arrival times and deviations, plus reports on load factor and empty kilometres. “We work through the scenarios,” says Valkenburg. “What happens to the cost price if you widen the window or run a journey electrically? We do that calculation in advance, so that nobody is caught out by the charge.”

 

Importantly, the plan is not theoretical but operational. Planners monitor around the clock, liaise with distribution centres and adjust routes where necessary. “IT helps, but people make the difference,” Valkenburg stresses. “Our teams know where traffic does keep moving at peak times and which order of stops saves time. With the charge in place, that practical knowledge only becomes more valuable.”

For customers it ultimately comes down to delivery reliability and peace of mind. KSZ promises no miracles, but it does promise clear choices and measurable effect. Less detouring, better loading, smart planning and electric where it makes sense: these are the dials being turned every day. “The distance-based charge is no reason to panic,” Valkenburg concludes. “It is a reality you can organise for. We have done that. And we are taking our customers with us: with clear data, practical arrangements and a network that is ready for tomorrow.”

 

Anyone who wants to know what this means for their own network can have a scenario calculated, using current volumes, windows and routes. The aim is simple: to make every kilometre count, now and in the future.