“The Convenience Company,” Lekkerland is a multinational wholesaler and logistics partner that delivers supply and systems solutions for “on the go” consumption. Lekkerland’s 700 trucks crisscross six European countries and serve more than 102,000 establishments - small independent shops, kiosks, tobacconists, specialist drink markets, bakeries, fast-food chains, canteens and convenience stores.
Customers of Lekkerland’s clients are always on the move. They’re also at the forefront of new developments in all aspects of the retail market. Lekkerland keeps pace with those consumers, offering logistics and tailored category-management services that help store owners create winning combinations of goods and presentation. Fast turnaround of receivables, strong cash flow, and healthy working capital are all critical to Lekkerland’s ability to craft these solutions and keep the vast array of goods arriving on time.
Needs and challenges
Before turning to AcceptEasy for credit and collections, Lekkerland relied upon its truck drivers to take care of most of the company collections. That involved carrying large amounts of cash, recording and filling out of paperwork while on the road, and bringing the cash to a bank or to Lekkerland’s local office. Jeroen de Fost, Manager of Accounts Receivable and Payable, brought Lekkerland in as the company’s prime billing and payment method. He was seeking a way to reduce collection costs, lower the risk of bad debt, and bring about a structural improvement in working capital.
More speed, more security
AcceptEasy's ability to send electronic invoices and to confirm receipt of payments in real time enabled Lekkerland to direct-bill last minute orders and to deliver them immediately. The company’s drivers no longer have to carry cash. Their security and peace of mind improved, and with less paperwork to do, they can visit more locations per day.
Lekkerland’s call center team is also enjoying a boost in efficiency and is playing a bigger role in the business-critical, just-in-time supply chain. Digital billing and payment via AcceptEasy keeps the goods moving to customers who have missed a payment or exceeded their credit limit. During a phone call to such customers, the outstanding amount can be settled immediately, and the order can be readied for delivery on the next working day. The call center agent sends an AcceptEasy during the call. The customer only has to open, click and pay. The online payment is confirmed within seconds, night in the customer’s inbox, while the customer and agent are still talking. Lekkerland also gets immediate notification and can execute the order without delay. "The speed of AcceptEasy means that orders do not have to be held. Now we can supply directly and risk-free,” said Mr. de Fost. “We make it as easy as possible for our customers. The results of introducing AcceptEasy are great: The percentage of direct payments from acceptemails sent is very high. Customers are still supplied directly. Lekkerland collects payables smoothly.”
Outstanding payments are made by up to 50% quicker. The entire process is safer, with the drivers not carrying cash. Payments have become 100% error-free, another boost to efficiency and another reason why Lekkerland can live up to its reputation as “The Convenience Company.”
