Sealogis 25 years: “Fan of the maritime industry”

1995 was the starting year of Sealogis Freight Forwarding Belgium, which was then known as Challenge International Belgium.

How do you look back upon those first few years?

“The Belgian brand was co-founded with Yannick Poncel, one of the people responsible for Challenge International. I was appointed at that time as the person responsible for import and export. I also helped around in the Sales department. It definitely was a time of pioneering. What I remember the most is the legendary card tray with prospects, the clients and the variety of cruise boats that sailed along the riverside. Challenge International Belgium was a company with a French base and the inclusion of a large lunch break (yippee). In retrospect this company has come a long way. Something noticeable I also would like to add is the fact that a large number of colleagues that came aboard at that time are still employed for us today.”

 “I absolutely adore the fact when a client expresses his or her thanks.”

What do you do as an Inside Sales within Sealogis Freight Forwarding Belgium?

“My job is very versatile. I have to sell and make recommendations over the phone, draw up orders and offers, arrange transportations, coordinate with transporters and shipping companies … In short, I have to supply an excellent service to our clients. Our services are divided per ‘vertical’, which entails that the services are arranged per specialty. Each separate link of this vertical overlaps seamlessly, which makes every link within this chain equally as important.”

What has changed over the course of the years?

“First of all, Sealogis Freight Forwarding Belgium is company that continues growing with in increasing number of clients, services and employees. It has become a story of trial and error over the course of the years with a main focus on progress. Second, there has been an increase of formalities. Back in the old days, we were able to seal the deal by the simple means of a phone call or email, which is no longer self-evident nowadays. Everything has to occur in an official manner, something I am able to comprehend of course, due to the fact that a signed contract is truly the base of a collaboration in order to avoid any future misunderstandings.”

What do you find challenging in your current role?

“I am a huge fan of the maritime industry and the harbor is not that far off. I have contacts with people from all over the world! Something I absolutely adore is the fact that I am able to help people and organizations to ensure progress and growth by providing them with solutions that have not even crossed their minds. For example, due to the Corona-crisis, some of our customers were experiencing real difficulties with container transportations. We helped them out through a variety of creative solutions by communicating continuously with the shipping companies. I can fairly say that we succeeded in the end. Creating Solutions Worldwide: this is our slogan, which we hold dear to our hearts and which we actually live by. And whenever a customer thanks you in the end for all your efforts, it truly pays off!”

Sealogis Freight Forwarding Belgium: Who are we