To ensure continuity, Oldenburger|Fritom had to transform from a transport company to a logistics service provider two decades ago. The Fritom Logistic Solutions Group entrusted René Dale with initiating and managing this business transformation of their subsidiary in the Dutch city of Veendam. In turn, our CEO approached his former colleagues Albert Medendorp and Erik Mekkes, who were eager to take on this challenge with him.

The Best of Both Worlds
René knew Albert from his time at Reining Transport. Like Oldenburger|Fritom, Reining Transport is a family business in the Dutch province of Groningen with a similar culture. As a result, René and Albert spoke, and still speak, the same language, literally and figuratively, as their colleagues at Oldenburger|Fritom. Erik, Oldenburger|Fritom’s Operations Director, worked alongside René for many years at Penske Logistics in Coevorden, an American company focused on quality management.

Together, René, Albert, and Erik combined the best of both worlds—Reining and Penske—to lay a solid foundation for our business transformation into an innovative logistics service provider.

Contract Logistics
While Erik focused on our warehousing operation from the outset—our current business unit, Warehousing, VAS, and E-Fulfilment—Albert focused, among other things, on contract logistics. He explains: “Building and optimizing this branch, in addition to jointly developing Oldenburger|Fritom’s role as supply chain coordinator, gave me great satisfaction. Not least because it allows you to further unburden your customers.”

Freight Forwarding Manager
Part of our contract logistics efforts was the addition of air and sea freight to our services. In his role as Freight Forwarding Manager, Albert and his colleagues ensured that these modes of transport were seamlessly integrated into our operations. "Here too, we continuously focused on optimization, which is why Oldenburger|Fritom is now known worldwide as a reliable business partner." As examples – and highlights – Albert cites our AEO-Full status, our Regulated Agent status, our IATA membership, and our own branch at Schiphol Airport.

Project Management
In addition to his work related to contract logistics, transport, and forwarding, Albert has also led various projects as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. The most recent examples include the BREEAM Outstanding certification of our new distribution center and the Outstanding upgrade of our existing warehouse and headquarters in Veendam. This was completed in 2025. "What I have learned about project management is that you always need to prepare a plan B and C during implementation. Only then can you, as an organization, pivot quickly when necessary."

Lessons Learned
Other lessons learned, for Albert, are that you need to look beyond just the department you are responsible for. "The focus should be on the overall result, not on the individual's. You do it together, and the basic principles – the team rules – must be in place. Inherent to this is pushing responsibility as low down in the organization as possible."

According to Albert, this does not negate the need for oversight: "Trust is good, control is necessary." Accuracy of figures and, above all, their correct interpretation are inextricably linked to this, he believes. "You have to be tough on the content and gentle on the relationship. The power of repetition leads to a more positive mindset in an organization." Something he will certainly take with him into his new role at TGN|Fritom.