In Evergem near Ghent, PostNL will open its second Belgian sorting and distribution centre with a high-tech sorting machine in early October. Trained and experienced in the logistics sector, Diego Van Leuven heads the centre as depot manager.
After graduating with a law degree, Van Leuven started working as a student at DHL at Zaventem airport. He would never say goodbye to the logistics sector during his professional career. “Logistics is constantly changing and on top of that you are always working with people. Both aspects have always really appealed to me,” he says.
After his first job at DHL, Van Leuven went on to work at DSV and later as materials handling supervisor at Volvo Cars. Two years ago, he made the move to PostNL where he went to manage the depot in Desteldonk. “After 15 years in the automotive industry, I was ready for a new challenge. PostNL’s business approach appealed to me enormously.”
Automation
Desteldonk’s operations are currently moving to the new sorting and distribution centre in Evergem, which will be PostNL’s second depot with a high-tech sorting machine after Willebroek. At the sorting centre, more than 150 camionettes will be loaded every day. Up to 60 PostNL employees will work there and the sorting machine can sort up to 9,000 parcels per hour.
“Our entire team that was working in Desteldonk is moving with us to the new depot in Evergem. Despite automation in logistics, human intervention is still necessary to guarantee the highest quality,” Van Leuven says.
Refugees
In Evergem, Van Leuven leads a team with employees from very diverse backgrounds. “A number of refugees staying at the reception centre in Sint-Niklaas also work for us. These different backgrounds just make the work fascinating,” says the depot manager, who observes a few basic rules as a manager. “Firstly, I try to deal with everyone on an equal basis. Next, I value clarity and, finally, you have to show people appreciation and respect.”
