Broekman Logistics Insights Meet Fabienne Struijs: Our Sustainability Manager

Meet Fabienne Struijs: Our Sustainability Manager

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In an increasingly dynamic logistics landscape, sustainable practices have become an essential strategic focus. At Broekman Logistics, we are committed to minimising our environmental footprint and aligning our operations with global sustainability standards. Leading this effort is Fabienne Struijs, our new Sustainability Manager, who is dedicated to embedding sustainability as a core pillar of our strategic direction.

Discovering a Path in Sustainability

Fabienne’s journey within Broekman Logistics began six years ago when she joined as a marketing intern. Over the years, her roles evolved from marketing to business development, deepening her understanding of customer needs and challenges within logistics. “I learnt a lot about customer interactions and felt there was always more to explore within the industry,” Fabienne shares. “The transition to sustainability felt natural, especially as I realised the importance of creating positive change for all our partners. Her background in political studies fuels her commitment to sustainable logistics. As Fabienne explains, “Logistics isn’t always associated with being green, but there’s a strong drive for change. Seeing both regulatory pressures and the increasing demand for sustainable solutions from clients motivates me daily.”

Fabienne’s Role: Driving Sustainable Change

Meet Fabienne Struijs

As Sustainability Manager, Fabienne oversees a broad spectrum of initiatives across Broekman Logistics’ operations, from CSR reporting and customer consultations to ambitious projects like securing an EcoVadis valuation (or: Commitment Badge) and preparing for the European Union’s upcoming CSRD regulations. Her role also encompasses practical steps, like introducing and researching possibilities for installing solar panels at our breakbulk terminal or researching options for energy storage within the company’s operational infrastructure.

“What I enjoy most about my role,” Fabienne explains, “is working closely with customers to find logistics solutions that are better for the planet. I love that each day is different, and it’s rewarding to work with people across various departments, each contributing to the same goal: creating a logistics network that is both sustainable and better equipped to withstand future challenges.

Our Strategy and Vision for Sustainability

Broekman Logistics has long recognised the need for sustainable change. Over the next five years, Broekman Logistics follows a roadmap that prioritises, among others, electrifying our fleets—everything from warehouse vehicles to cranes—and encouraging employees to adopt sustainable transportation methods.

“While we know we can’t eliminate all emissions in logistics just yet, we are taking proactive steps to reduce them,” Fabienne says. “Our goal is to provide our partners with full transparency regarding emissions, helping them understand the environmental impact of their supply chain, from port, warehouse, or any other logistics hub to partner. It’s all part of our mission to be a responsible and transparent logistics partner.”

Long-term Partnerships

We are commited to

A cornerstone of Broekman’s sustainability strategy is collaboration. By working closely with customers, partners, and local networks of the Municipality of Rotterdam and the Port of Rotterdam, Fabienne helps Broekman stay aligned with the latest developments in sustainable logistics. She is optimistic about the future of sustainability in logistics, believing that innovation and teamwork will drive change.

“Recently, we began compensating a customer’s entire supply chain emissions—a significant step forward. Although compensation isn’t the final answer, it’s a good start as we work towards reducing emissions in the long run. We are also focused on creating a healthier and more efficient work environment for our employees, with electric pallet trucks, forklifts and other equipment to lower sound pollution and improve air quality in our warehouses.”

Sustainability in Transporting Goods from A to B

We are committed to sustainability across all our international offices in the Benelux, Czech Republic, Poland, China, Türkiye and India. One of our key areas of expertise, international freight transport, involves multimodal transportation that enables efficient and cost-effective goods movement. In addition to offering these services, we are dedicated to the ‘modal shift’, which involves transporting as many containers as possible via inland waterways instead of by road haulage. This initiative is part of the Joint Corridors Off-Road, which includes the Rotterdam Corridor and the Limburg Express in the Netherlands.

Looking Ahead

With Fabienne Struijs leading our sustainability efforts, we are making more positive impacts. Her commitment to a greener future is evident in each initiative she is taking. “Following the organisations’ vision to continue in finding new ways to make our operations more sustainable,” she says.

As we look towards the future, Broekman Logistics remains committed to responsible growth and innovation, and with Fabienne’s leadership, we’re confident in our ability to build a sustainable, transparent, and resilient logistics network.

This article is written by Sarah Blok, Marketing Specialist at Broekman Logistics