5 Years of Distrilog Transport Academy A response to the labor market shortage
currently offers
two training paths. From category B to category C: This track is designed for employees or external candidates who already hold a category B license and aspire to become professional truck drivers. From category C to category CE: This track provides truck drivers the opportunity to learn how to drive with a trailer or semi-trailer.
The training process: from theory to practice
The training journey from a category B to a category C license begins with an employee’s application, followed by a driving aptitude test to assess their suitability for the program. Upon passing this test, candidates start a theory course at a certified driving school. The theory exam consists of three components: a multiplechoice test, a case study, and an oral exam. After successfully completing the theory exam, candidates proceed to practical training, which includes specific manoeuvers and professional skills on public roads. Upon passing the practical exam, candidates are awarded their category C license.
The training track from category C to category CE follows a similar structure. Candidates first undergo a four-week theory course, followed by an intensive practical training program lasting up to 18 days. This course emphasizes traffic regulations and professional skills, enabling drivers to expand their capabilities and further specialize in operating heavier vehicles.
Flexibility and Perseverance: Keys to Success
The Distrilog Transport Academy has also faced challenges in its five-year existence. COVID year 2020 caused a temporary drop in the number of training courses started. Training activities were largely at a standstill due to the pandemic and restrictive measures, but fortunately the academy was able to recover quickly. Meanwhile, training numbers have returned to pre-COVID-19 levels.
While some training programs were temporarily halted or postponed due to personal circumstances or other factors like COVID-19, these cases remain a minority. Most candidates complete the program successfully and pass their exams. This demonstrates that a focused and flexible approach is essential to effectively train drivers and instil the confidence needed to apply their new skills in practice.
Five Years of Commitment to Professional Growth
The Academy supports career advancement for drivers and ensures business continuity
The five-year anniversary of the Distrilog Transport Academy is a milestone that highlights Distrilog Group’s dedication to the professional development of its employees. By offering opportunities to upgrade their driver’s license categories, the Academy supports career advancement for drivers and ensures business continuity. The success of recent years shows that the Distrilog Transport Academy is a valuable investment for both the organization and its employees.
Since its establishment, over 100 candidates have enrolled in these training programs to further develop their careers within Distrilog. The Academy’s success is evident in the number of graduates: more than 50 drivers have successfully completed the category C to CE training, while over 20 drivers obtained their category C license through the Distrilog Transport Academy.
With ambitions to continue this success, the Distrilog Transport Academy looks forward to the future, aiming to train many more drivers in the years to come!
TESTIMONIAL FROM A DRIVER WHO COMPLETED THE PROGRAM
Since 2020, Yakub Yakubov has been part of the Distrilog team. With the support of the Distrilog Transport Academy, he progressed from a category B driver to a category C driver, and in 2023, he further advanced to become a category CE driver. Yakub is incredibly proud of his journey and is now working hard to become a mentor driver himself, helping colleagues with similar ambitions to achieve their dreams.
Dear Member of the Distrilog Family,
Here is another edition of our SALES magazine, an issue that once again shows how we at Distrilog continue to invest in people, sustainability and safety -three pillars that Distrilog holds in high esteem.
This year, for instance, we celebrate the fifth anniversary of our Distrilog Transport Academy. What started as a response to the labour market shortage has grown into a successful and sustainable training programme through which we guide internal and external candidates to a career as a professional driver.
In addition, we remain committed to sustainable transport. In Breendonk, we launched a second inhouse fuel station at the beginning of this year, which now allows us to offer “HVO” fuel at our Willebroek site.
Finally, the safety of our people, perhaps most crucial. Logistics is a people business, which calls
for a culture in which safety always comes first. With various initiatives, we give this theme a permanent place in our organisation and in the consciousness of all our employees.
The acquisition of Transport Michiels means a diversification of our services
am also happy to announce that the Distrilog family is expanding further: since the 1st of July, we welcomed the employees of Transport Michiels into the group, a new milestone in our history. The acquisition of Transport Michiels means a diversification of our services, more on this in our next SALES magazine.
Enjoy your reading!
New fuel station in Breendonk
At our Willebroek site, we built a brand new fuel station. Behind the depot, two large fuel tanks were installed with a combined capacity of 180,000 liters. These above-ground, compartmentalized tanks fully comply with VLAREM regulations for environmentally friendly installations. The station is operational since the beginning of February, in addition to the one in Olen.
The purpose of our fuel stations is to offer Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) to customers interested in making their transport more sustainable. This renewable diesel alternative is also known as ‘green diesel’. HVO is produced from biomass, such as vegetable oils, making it a more sustainable option compared to conventional diesel. A significant advantage of HVO is its potential to reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 90%. It also contributes to lower air pollution and is fully biodegradable, providing a positive impact on the environment.
While the benefits of HVO are clear, the fuel does have its drawbacks. HVO is available in limited locations, and its price is significantly higher than regular diesel. These costs and limited availability make HVO less accessible to a wider audience for now. However, for the Distrilog trucks the fuel stations offer a reliable and sustainable refueling option.
It offers our customers the opportunity to work with us to become more sustainable. Our fuel stations represent an important step towards more sustainable transport at Distrilog. A significant advantage of HVO is its potential to reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 90%.
Safety at Distrilog
Safety is one of the most important pillars in the logistics sector. In warehouses and during transport, even the smallest mistakes can have significant consequences, both for employees and goods. From preventing accidents to safeguarding valuable cargo, safety forms the foundation of efficient and reliable operations.
In a dynamic environment like Distrilog, where thousands of movements take place daily, a strong focus on safety is indispensable. It is not only about adhering to rules and regulations but also about fostering a safety culture where everyone plays a role. Employees need to trust that they can work in a healthy and safe environment, while customers expect their goods to be delivered without damage or delay.
At Distrilog, we understand that safety is an ongoing process. That is why we undertake various initiatives to further enhance safety in our warehouses and during transport. From training sessions and awareness campaigns to investments in technology and infrastructure, safety is always our top priority. In this article, we highlight some of these initiatives and show how we are working together towards a safer future.
Refresher Training for Rolling Stock
In October 2024, a significant initiative began: the refresher training for rolling stock at our training center in Willebroek. Each week, approximately 20 warehouse employees participate in a full-day refresher course that covers various aspects of safety. Trainers provide theoretical instruction on the safe operation of rolling stock, followed by a two-hour practical session on our training course. During this session, employees are coached and corrected by trainers as needed.
Level 3 Prevention Advisor Training
Safety Sam will communicate all key safety initiatives across our operations
In the afternoon, participants attend a session about food safety, HR-topics and key points relevant to warehouse operations. At the end of the day, each participant receives an exclusive Distrilog windbreaker as a token of appreciation for their commitment and participation.
The goal of this refresher training is to ensure all employees handle rolling stock safely and correctly. By the end of this year, all 800 warehouse employees are expected to have completed this training, helping us collectively create a safer work environment and improve efficiency in our daily operations.
All site managers at Distrilog are right now participating in a Level 3 Prevention Advisor training. This intensive course, consisting of six sessions and a final exam, is designed to support our site managers in creating safe workplaces at all locations.
The Level 3 Prevention Advisor training focuses on identifying and assessing risks, developing preventive measures, and promoting a safe working environment. Legal obligations regarding workplace welfare are thoroughly discussed, and participants learn how to proactively address safety issues. This investment in knowledge and awareness strengthens our safety framework and helps prevent incidents.
New Safety Boards & Safety Mascot
Since September 2024, a new safety board has been tested at one of our sites. This board is designed to inform employees about safety regulations, workplace accidents, current safety topics, and news items.
The testing phase was crucial for evaluating the board’s effectiveness. Based on feedback, adjustments were made for a full rollout across all Distrilog sites. The goal is to make information about safety more accessible and the topic more discussable.
The prevention team prominently features a new colleague: Safety Sam our new safety mascot. From now on, Safety Sam will communicate all key safety initiatives across our operations. With his fresh approach and visible presence, he emphasizes the centrality of safety in our business.
Safety Sam also addresses workplace accidents on the Safety Board. Employees are informed about specific incidents and the measures implemented to prevent similar accidents in the future. Not only warehouse employees but also all site managers receive monthly updates on workplace accidents and observations from the prevention advisors. By explicitly naming and analysing workplace incidents and observations, we foster greater awareness and take steps toward their structural reduction. This is a concrete expression of our ambition to make safety a central focus of all our activities.
