Colona is a fast-growing, family-owned sauce producer. With annual growth of around 6%, their production site was reaching full capacity.
To sustain expansion, Colona needed to quickly free up space, outsource food storage and rely on a logistics partner able to keep pace with rising operational demand.
The challenge: Supporting rapid growth without slowing down production
Colona’s storage and logistics setup could no longer support their increasing volumes. The main pressure points included:
- A production facility nearing saturation
- Limited standardisation of logistics practices
- Suboptimal pallet preparation and inconsistent processes
- A need for stable, efficient transport management
- Urgent timelines to externalise storage while keeping operations running
At the same time, the transition had to be executed exceptionally fast. The partnership was signed in mid-July and the new site needed to be fully operational by mid-September. All stock had to be transferred within a two-week window, with picking activities going live on 1 October. Every delay would directly impact production.
Our approach: A controlled logistics transition on a very tight timeline
To meet this deadline, WSC teams worked in parallel on:
- Installing racking and signage
- Ensuring full building compliance for food storage
- Organising storage zones and workflows
- Recruiting and training operators
- Analysing and preparing Colona’s logistical flows
By mid-September, the La Louvière site was ready to receive thousands of pallets.
High food volumes from day one
From the very first weeks, logistics activity was intense:
- 6,000 to 7,000 daily pickings
- 300 full pallets prepared each day
- 300 to 400 inbound pallets received daily
This required rapid adaptation of picking methods, food flows and operational priorities to stabilise operations early.
Structuring the logistics of a fast-growing SME
Absorbing high volumes was only part of the challenge. Colona, as a rapidly expanding SME, also needed support to professionalise its logistics foundation. Together, we:
- Refined pallet-building practices,
- Clarified operational processes and
- Improved transport coordination
Weekly follow-ups ensured that each adjustment translated into more predictable and efficient daily operations.
The aim was simple: reduce rework, improve quality and create a logistics setup that could grow alongside the business.
A data-driven decision: Why our warehouse in La Louvière made sense
Although Colona initially preferred a warehouse close to its production site, our detailed network and transport analysis revealed a different picture:
- 80% of Colona’s customers are located in France
- La Louvière offered more efficient outbound logistics
- The potential for transport cost savings up to €300,000 per year
This fact-based analysis played a key role in choosing the warehouse site in La Louvière.
The result: High-performing and scalable food logistics
A year after starting our collaboration with Colona:
- 100% of the orders were prepared on time. There were no delays and all orders were shipped on schedule.
- By outsourcing its storage, Colona was able to expand its production capacity and support their continued growth
- The logistic warehouse in La Louvière has given a strategic and economic advantage
The partnership between Weerts Supply Chain and Colona is now rooted in daily open communication, collaboration and teamwork.
As the Site Manager explains:
“For this to work, we need to form a team with our clients.
When one link is missing, everything can quickly go wrong.
Working hand in hand is the key to a reliable and sustainable service.”
With structured flows, scalable capacity and a stable operational rhythm, Colona now has a logistics setup equipped to support its continued expansion in the years ahead.
Ready to strengthen your food logistics operations?
If your growth is putting pressure on storage capacity, picking volumes or transport flows, WSC can help you design a sustainable, long-term food logistics solution tailored to your business.
