bpostgroup has increased its holding of Active Ants stock from 75% to 100%, in line with the strategic partnership the two companies signed in 2018. The mission remains the same: to support e-commerce activities by providing end-to-end solutions to online stores.
Active Ants was set up in 2010 in the Netherlands with the aim of raising the efficiency and accuracy of e-fulfillment through innovation, automation and the deployment of robots. In the Netherlands it is now a leader in efficient online order processing with innovative warehousing, order picking and packing solutions, and pairing employees and robots on the workfloor. This end-to-end approach fits in perfectly with the cross-border activities of bpostgroup.
Since its establishment, Active Ants has experienced strong growth and now has five sites in four countries (the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and the UK). The e-fulfillment center in Willebroek, Belgium, was expanded in April in response to the rising demand for logistics support from online stores. The company processes millions of orders for online stores in various sectors.
Active Ants directors Jeroen Dekker and Jean Lahaye are leaving the company but will continue to work to ensure a smooth transition. Bram Blondé takes up his role as CEO of Active Ants on August 21, 2023.
Dekker and Lahaye commented, “We are genuinely proud of the growth Active Ants has experienced. This innovative concept has become a real success story and, thanks to the partnership with bpostgroup, now markets unique services in multiple countries. Today marks the start of a new chapter.”
Philippe Dartienne, interim CEO bpostgroup, said, “bpostgroup continues to invest in the future. This is a new phase for the company, perfectly aligned with our strategy. In 2018 we acquired a majority holding in Active Ants because we believed in its potential. We market virtually a complete range of products and services and always with a particular focus on sustainability. I thank Jeroen Dekker and Jean Lahaye for our pleasant working relationship these past five years.”