In the current war for talent, many companies are under pressure to find suitable employees. At the same time, there is a large group of talented people who, for various reasons, are distanced from the labor market. The collaboration between BME, a specialist in e-fulfillment and logistics solutions, and De Wroeter, a recognized social enterprise, proves that these two challenges can complement each other perfectly.
In this episode, you will discover how inclusive working practices in the logistics sector are not only socially responsible, but also contribute to better performance, greater stability, and new growth opportunities.
From social mission to core process
De Wroeter guides people from diverse backgrounds, from those with long-term illnesses to people with mental or physical disabilities, toward a sustainable place in the labor market. Instead of focusing on limitations, the emphasis is on talents.
BME has embraced this vision by deploying De Wroeter employees in crucial parts of the fulfillment process, such as assembly, pick-and-pack, and returns processing. This is not an extra or a PR stunt: inclusive working is built into the process and forms a strategic part of the operation.
The right people for the right tasks
One of the most important success factors is matching profiles with processes. Certain repetitive tasks, such as assembling packages, require precision and perseverance. For regular temporary workers, these tasks often become monotonous, but De Wroeter employees find peace, structure, and satisfaction in them.
By designing processes in such a way that they are accessible to everyone, BME can guarantee quality while offering a safe, stable working environment.
Triple win: everyone benefits
The collaboration yields benefits for all parties involved:
- For De Wroeter: meaningful work for their employees, opportunities for advancement to the regular labor market, and job security.
- For BME: stable teams, lower staff turnover, higher product quality, and greater operational continuity.
- For the customer: reliable deliveries, consistent quality, and the added value of a socially responsible story.
This triple win shows that social entrepreneurship and economic performance are not opposites, but rather reinforce each other.
Stability as a strategic advantage
In logistics, stability is worth its weight in gold. Whereas traditional temporary employment models often lead to high turnover and extra training time, the collaboration with De Wroeter offers continuity in staffing. Employees are familiar with the process, the company, and the standards, which reduces errors and increases production speed. In addition, this sustainable collaboration allows BME to scale up capacity without compromising quality at crucial moments.
Not cheap labor, but valuable labor
A common misconception is that inclusive employment is about cheap labor. The opposite is true: it requires investment in guidance, process design, and collaboration. But that investment pays off in the form of quality, loyalty, and a stronger reputation among customers.
What others can learn from this
The case of BME and De Wroeter proves that inclusive working in the fulfillment industry is feasible and profitable. For other companies, there are some clear lessons to be learned:
- Don't view inclusion as an extra, but as an integral part of your process.
- Design processes that are accessible to everyone, so you can work inclusively from day one.
- Invest in collaboration and communication with your partners to achieve sustainable results.
- Focus on talent rather than limitations and match profiles with the right tasks.
So...
Inclusive employment is more than just a nice social story; it is a strategic choice that can lead to better performance, greater stability, and new opportunities. By working with a social enterprise such as De Wroeter, BME shows that, as a logistics partner, you can grow both economically and socially.
Curious to find out how inclusive working can also strengthen your e-fulfillment?