Behind the Scenes at QLS’s New Fulfilment Center

More about QLS

Uncategorized

Behind the Scenes at QLS’s New Fulfilment Center

A Logistics Engine for Growing Webshops

In a cutting-edge facility spanning no less than 16,000 m²—where bins glide silently via automated systems and conveyor belts run day and night—QLS is working at full speed toward the future of e-commerce. Here, in the brand-new fulfilment center known as FC2, technology and logistics innovation come together in one impressive whole. It all revolves around one goal: helping webshops grow without having to worry about shipping deadlines, staffing shortages, or other logistical headaches.

“Fulfilment is truly our core,” says Valentijn, Business Consultant at QLS, as he takes us on a tour among the modern packing machines and the extensive conveyor network. “Many people think logistics is just about picking up parcels, but that’s only a small part of it. We take over the entire logistics process. Clients send us their stock, and from that point on, we take care of everything—from storage to picking, packing, and shipping their orders.”

More Than Just Logistics: A Complete Solution with Proprietary Software

That also includes my.QLS, our proprietary software platform that provides real-time insights into inventory levels, order processing, bestsellers, and return rates. “This allows our customers to focus on what energizes them: marketing, product development, and brand building. As for the logistics—we’ve got that covered.”

That promise may sound simple, but it requires a great deal behind the scenes. That’s precisely why QLS decided last year to undergo a major expansion. “As with every year, we were growing incredibly fast,” Valentijn explains. “At our first fulfilment center in Dordrecht, we were literally bursting at the seams. There was no room left to expand.”

FC2: One of Europe’s Largest AutoStores

And so FC2 was born: a state-of-the-art, fully automated fulfilment center equipped with an upgraded AutoStore system. “We started with 70,000 bins but can scale up to 350,000 in phases. That makes this one of the largest AutoStore setups in Europe,” he says proudly. But it’s not just about the number of bins—it’s the intelligent combination of software, automated sorting systems, and a conveyor belt network that sets it apart.

Orders are picked in lightning-fast time, packed within 15 minutes, and automatically sorted through the internal transport system. This ensures every package ends up on the correct conveyor belt, ready for dispatch.

What makes FC2 truly unique in the Benelux is the automated sorting operation that can process up to 10,000 parcels per hour. “We’re one of the first players to automatically sort parcels by carrier and postal code before they even leave our facility,” Valentijn explains. “By doing so, we eliminate a step prone to errors. That not only boosts quality but also reduces our reliance on external sorting centers—especially during peak seasons. It keeps us in control.”

Personal Attention and Smart Scalability

But at QLS, it’s not just about scale and technology. Flexibility and personal attention are equally important. “We work with our clients on a strategic level, too. Which carrier fits their customer base best? Which shipping options increase conversions? And how can we scale internationally?”

Thanks to our integrations with multiple carriers, webshops can offer their customers various delivery options—an increasingly vital part of the customer experience.

QLS also contributes to packaging strategies. From sustainable materials to personalized branded boxes, everything is designed to enhance the webshop’s brand experience while optimizing shipping efficiency.

What once started as a smart shipping service has evolved into a strategic growth partner for webshops—ranging from startups to well-established names. And FC2 is not the final destination, but just the next step on an ambitious journey.

“We want to grow alongside our clients and become the leading fulfilment provider in Europe,” says Valentijn with conviction. And when you see what QLS is already achieving today, that ambition is anything but unrealistic.

Outsourcing Your Online Store Logistics: A Guide to Successful E-commerce Fulfillment

Introduction: The invisible force behind a webshop

A successful webshop doesn’t just depend on attractive design or smart marketing campaigns. The real challenge begins once a customer places an order: logistics. The faster, cheaper, and more error-free your deliveries are, the greater the chance that customers will return.

That’s why more and more webshops choose to outsource their logistics to a fulfilment partner like QLS. This is also known as 3PL (Third-Party Logistics). It saves time, reduces costs, and provides access to advanced systems and international shipping networks.

In this article, you will discover:

What does it mean to outsource your webshop logistics?

Outsourcing webshop logistics means that the operational processes behind your webshop – such as storage, order picking, packing, shipping, and returns management – are handled by a specialized logistics service provider. Your webshop continues to manage sales and marketing, while an external partner ensures every order reaches the customer neatly, quickly, and at low cost.

Tasks you can outsource:

Advantages of outsourcing logistics

1. Time savings and focus on growth

As an entrepreneur, you spend less time packing boxes and dropping off parcels. You can better invest that time in marketing, product development, or customer retention.

2. Lower costs through economies of scale

Fulfilment partners process thousands of parcels daily and therefore have strong shipping contracts with carriers. This allows you to benefit from lower shipping costs and more efficient processes.

3. Improved customer experience

Fast delivery times, track & trace, and reliable returns handling lead to higher customer satisfaction and better reviews.

4. Flexibility during peak periods

During busy seasons such as Black Friday or the holidays, a fulfilment partner can easily scale up with extra staff and capacity.

5. International opportunities

Many fulfilment companies have networks and contracts that make it easy to ship abroad, without you having to manage customs processes yourself.

Possible drawbacks and points of attention

Although the advantages are significant, there are also challenges:

When is it smart to outsource logistics?

Not every webshop is immediately ready to outsource fulfilment. Some signals that it would be beneficial include:

Costs of outsourcing webshop logistics

The cost structure of fulfilment often consists of:

How to choose the right fulfilment partner?

1. Scale and specialization

Choose a partner who understands your product category – whether it’s fashion, electronics, or FMCG.

2. Technology integrations

Check whether the partner can seamlessly connect with your webshop platform (Shopify, WooCommerce, Bol.com, etc.).

3. Location and reach

A centrally located warehouse can shorten delivery times and reduce shipping costs.

4. Flexibility and service

How quickly can the partner scale during peak times? How accessible is their customer service?

5. Transparency and reporting

A good fulfilment company provides real-time insights into stock levels, order status, and shipping performance.

Trends in e-commerce logistics

Conclusion: Outsourcing logistics as a growth accelerator

For many webshops, outsourcing logistics is not just a cost, but a growth accelerator. It provides economies of scale, better customer experiences, and more time to focus on marketing and strategy.

Whether you are a starting entrepreneur growing out of your garage or an established webshop looking to expand internationally – a reliable fulfilment partner can make the difference between standing still and moving forward.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. From how many orders per month does outsourcing fulfilment pay off?

Usually from around 3,000 orders per month, depending on product type and margins.

2. Can I outsource only my shipping?

Yes, some companies only offer shipping platforms. Full fulfilment goes further and also takes care of storage and picking.

3. How quickly can I switch to a fulfilment partner?

Depending on the size, this can take 2–6 weeks (moving stock, testing integrations).

4. Is outsourcing logistics also interesting for small webshops?

Yes, but the costs can be relatively high. It often becomes more attractive as you grow. A first step to saving can be to look at parcel service solutions.