Vandapower

Vandapower, a supplier of battery and charger components, is navigating a complicated market. The impact of the economy is clearly felt, and a global trade war with import tariffs, such as the one that erupted in spring 2025, adds to the equation. However, with Slimstock’s supply chain platform, Vandapower has maintained an overview and control of the supply chain during complex times, thereby improving customer service.

Founded over 25 years ago, Vandapower started out with the philosophy of providing the best possible service to manufacturers of lead-acid batteries. The company has since evolved into much more than that.

Vandapower is now the one-stop shop for industrial battery manufacturers and suppliers. The range includes more than 17,000 SKUs, around 2,000 of which are fast-moving. Obsolescence, stockouts, and extended delivery times result in unnecessary costs for the supplier. ‘We recognised that we could optimise our stock,’ says Leen Van Nuffel, Operations Director at Vandapower, who realised the urgency of bringing the stock into better balance. ‘We have ambitions to grow and really need to work on our supply chain.’

Geographical distribution poses challenges

As a spare parts supplier, Vandapower focuses on the B2B market and has three branches across Belgium, England and the United States. With products sourced globally, including China, the current trading climate is proving challenging.

‘Every day is an adventure, and trade tariffs are bound to cause shifts,’ says Van Nuffel. She sees her colleagues in the supply chain facing enormous purchasing challenges. ‘Every branch faces import duties, and there is a great deal of uncertainty about the consequences of these duties.’ The impact of the trade war is being felt both financially and operationally. Deliveries are being postponed and delayed, which can lead to stockouts, something Vandapower wants to avoid at all costs. ‘If we don’t deliver, customers can’t produce or repair, and forklifts can’t operate. So our stock must be in order.’

Significant reduction in inventory

To get a grip on its stock, Vandapower opted for the Slim4 platform. The implementation not have come at a better time for Vandapower. ‘The impact of supply chain changes is now much easier to identify. Thanks to the to-do tasks in Slim4, we are far more proactive with our stock. We can detect disruptions more quickly and have greater control.’

The fact that Vandapower can now respond more proactively has already paid off. The previously ever-increasing inventory value has now stabilised and is actually decreasing. Since the implementation of Slim4, inventory value has fallen by around 15%. ‘With an inventory value of millions of euros, that’s a big difference,’ Van Nuffel points out. ‘Before Slim4, we worked with a minimum-maximum system, which was terrible because we were constantly reacting too late. We still hold a lot of slow-moving stock, but as it has no expiry date, that’s not a problem. Fortunately, thanks to Slim4, the volume is decreasing, while our OTIF has only improved. So we have the right stock at the right time.’

A more efficient way of working

Slim4 has also enabled a more efficient working method for Vandapower’s supply chain team. Van Nuffel sees that her team now has more output, and that analysing this data allows them to make different decisions. “In the past, our supply chain colleagues were only concerned with placing orders and checking them.”

Thanks to Slim4, however, this has become the smallest part of their role. Now they can work more strategically and proactively, and that makes a big difference.”

Reliable partner

For Van Nuffel, the positive experiences with Slim4 reinforces the decision to go with the award-winning platform. In the run-up to choosing Slim4, several colleagues were hesitant. ‘Our sales team was certainly apprehensive at first. They feared that we would reduce our stock and longer be able to deliver. But the opposite has been proven. They have now changed their minds and see the advantages that Slim4 offers.’

Van Nuffel reflects on the company’s philosophy: ‘Our delivery reliability has increased significantly, and that’s what our customers expect. The reduction in inventory costs is great, but we want to be a reliable partner. Slim4 helps us achieve that, and that’s the biggest gain.’