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History

BVBVK/UPBIF is a spin-off of the original trade organisation, “Union Professionnelle Belge des Industries du Froid”, which was first established in 1921.

In response to the rapid growth of logistics activities in Flanders and the specific needs and requirements of the sector, it was decided in 1935 to expand the trade organisation and make it independent.
BVBVK/UPBIF is aimed at all companies in the logistics sector that provide refrigerated and frozen storage facilities for third parties, as well as offering associated services.

Logistics and Cold Storage Industry: an evolving profession

Our industry encompasses all of the companies that provide logistics services for temperature-sensitive products as their core business. These companies are constantly evolving as the result of changing regulations, as well as through the efforts and effects of innovative entrepreneurship. As companies change, so the whole industry automatically changes with them.
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The role of the industry organisation, from yesterday to today

In the beginning, the emphasis was on the transfer of information, with the industry drafting the General Storage Conditions. Next came a limited level of accessibility, when members were able to phone us and ask questions. As a result, BVBVK/UPBIF became a sort of ombudsman service. But there was talk of one-way traffic, from BVBVK/UPBIF to members only. And contacts between members focused mainly on trade matters. 

Slowly but surely greater use was made of the knowledge and experience of members. Things weren’t just discussed actively between Board members, but also with individual members, in particular about the problems of port and inland cold storage depots in relation to the former IVK (Veterinary Inspection Institute) now the FAVV (Federal Food Safety Agency), and the BDBL (Belgian Department for Business and Agriculture), which became the current BIRB in 1967.

 

 

More about "The role of the industry organisation, from yesterday to today "

Forward-looking national and international business

In addition to communication, the industry association also took on the role of an active support provider more.
 
Members clamoured more and more loudly to have BVBVK/UPBIF play a part in the various national and/or Europe consultation bodies. Then there was the increasing need to participate actively in what government ministries were doing, as well as the FAVV, BIRB and Customs and Excise. By demonstrating how proactively we were dealing with international legislation and regulations, BVBVK/UPBIF finally became one of the discussions partners on the international market.