The Dutch wholesaler Havam has read the signs of the times – and responds to a faster and faster market with a sophisticated logistics system.
Havam is a trading partner of MAHLE filters and engine components. The company was founded in 1946 in Venlo/Netherlands where it still has its headquarter. In addition it has branches in Rotterdam and Hoogeveen. What started as a 2-person enterprise has now grown to a team of 140 employees. The cooperation with MAHLE started in the 60s: at that time, Havam began to supply its customers in the Netherlands with pistons and filters from Germany. During the years, the engine components range has been extended successfully to include cylinder liners, piston rings, bearings, and valve drive components. Today, Havam is the most important supplier in the wholesale sector in the Netherlands.
 | Anton Weber, managing director of Havam, in conversation with MAHLE Aftermarket news. |
MAHLE Aftermarket news: Mr. Weber, first of all: what does Havam mean?
Anton Weber: Havam stands for “Heeft Alles Voor Alle Motoren”– which means: “We have everything for any engine”. This is because we stock the complete range of filters and engine components for any of our product lines (motor car, HGV, marine, industrial and defence technology). There is nowhere else in the Netherlands where traders and workshops have access to such a comprehensive range of engine components, service parts, tools, workshop equipment and universal products.
MAHLE Aftermarket news: According to this, your customers are not only from the automotive sector. Who else does Havam supply?
Anton Weber: Naturally, the automotive industry is among our most important customers. However, our other customers ensure us a key position in the market. We also supply wholesalers in the agricultural and marine sector, engine repairs and industry as well as municipal works, the railways and the army.
MAHLE Aftermarket news: Analysts are talking currently about a recovery phase in the Dutch economy after it suffered a downturn with negative growth (-0.1 %) in 2003. The economic growth in 2005 was only 0.9 % – in the last quarter of the year a more respectable 1.6 % was reached. What effects has this economically difficult time had on Havam – and what have you done to maintain your position as the most important supplier in the wholesale sector?
Anton Weber: Indeed, the conditions on the Dutch market have tightened up considerably – the competitive pressure is enormous and, of course, does not leave out the spare parts market. People don't spend money anymore without thinking. They want the best quality at a fair price with adequate service. And, what is especially important – a fast delivery. When it comes to quality, we have never made compromises: we predominantly stock original parts from world-class manufacturers such as MAHLE, Sachs, Textar, Goetze, Behr, Beru and Walker. And we deliver these fast and reliably.
MAHLE Aftermarket news: Also your newly organised logistics is a response to the competitive pressure?
Anton Weber: Of course, as mentioned earlier: only if you are fast, you make good sales. Since 2006, Havam offers therefore the so-called PitStop: we supply the automotive wholesalers overnight and twice daily at fixed delivery times that have been agreed beforehand. This has been made possible with a new logistics program that is beneficial to all subsequent trade levels. Thanks to the better availability of parts at the retailers, these have reached growth rates of up to 15 % – and this has also had a positive effect on our order books.
MAHLE Aftermarket news: Since 2005, Havam has been cooperating with other companies. What do you expect from this fusion?
Anton Weber: Thanks to the merger with Interpieces, Nipparts and the van Heck Group into the Sator Group, we have been maintaining our leading position in the engine components and industrial sector and are extending this further. With this restructuring, we improve our proximity to customers and we enhance our market presence. In a market like ours that keeps changing all the time, it is important to be flexible if one wants lasting success. Of course, what help us a lot are the synergetic effects that come with this merger. The uniform logistics system is here only one example. We think that we are well positioned for the future.
MAHLE Aftermarket news: Good prospects for the Dutch components and repair market. And, of course, we are delighted that we can contribute to this with our product range . . . We wish you continuing success and thank you for this conversation.