Sven de Zwart on Building Trust Between Client and Supplier to Unlock Value

Sven de Zwart on Building Trust Between Client and Supplier to Unlock Value

Key Highlights

• Discovered lack of visibility across complex transport and warehousing spend
• Consolidated fragmented carrier setup into a simpler, more efficient model
• Balanced cost savings with long-standing supplier relationships

Sven de Zwart brings a deep supply chain background into complex logistics environments where spend visibility is often unclear and historical decisions are no longer understood. In one client engagement in particular, he found a transportation setup built over time without anyone fully understanding why it had evolved that way.

The client was working with three different transport providers, but there was no clear rationale for the structure. Sven and his ERA Group team immersed themselves in the operation—walking the warehouse floor, speaking to logistics managers, and even engaging with warehouse staff loading trucks day to day. As he puts it, “what was really important was to understand the needs of the client… really making sure we understood what challenges they were facing.”

A key complexity was a long-standing relationship with a local family-owned carrier. Rather than disrupt it, Sven focused on understanding it. That collaboration revealed why the structure had persisted for so long, but also where it could be improved. The result was a simplified model consolidating volumes with the existing partner while significantly reducing administrative burden—from three invoices a week down to one.

As Sven reflects, the outcome wasn’t just about savings, but clarity and control. The client gained visibility over their transport spend, reduced operational effort, and maintained an important supplier relationship while improving efficiency across the board.

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