F E A T U R E
F E A T U R E
S ever a l d ep a r t m en t s h a ve
a lr ea d y s et up s h op i n t h e n ew bui ld i n g
Visse r an d I de ma in f r o n t o f
the ne w co mpany buildin g
according to plan, the new logistics
centre on Phoenixweg will open at
the end of June. Parts of the building
are still being worked on, but a few
departments have already set up
EDC continues on
shop in the new EDC centre. “We
trajectory of growth and expansion
rements,” Eric explains. This means,
New lo g i s t i c s c e n t re t o o pe n s ho rt ly/ A n dre Vis s e r jo in s t he t e a m
big showroom with 750 square me-
have designed our new building
ourselves, based on our own requithat, of course, there will also be a
Th e offi c es i n t h e n ew bui ld i n g wer e d es i g ne d di g i t a l l y
befor e wor k on t h e bui l di ng b e g a n
tres where visitors will be able to get
As Eric Idema, the founder and CEO of EDC, tells us, sometimes he has to pinch himself to
an overview of the company’s pro-
lesaling.” EDC has its own online
cludes all the big and popular
make sure he isn’t just dreaming. But the success of his company is quite real. Ever since it
duct range – once it’s finished.
shops, and their services and assort-
brands. A big step for Idema and
was star ted twelve years ago, EDC has been growing and expanding, and to make sure the
As we talk about the past twelve ye-
ment have kind of made them a
his team: At eroFame 2015, they
company continues on that trajector y, Eric and his team will move to a new logistics centre.
ars and the success of his company,
one-stop-shop for the e-commerce
presented their first private brand,
And the team itself – which cur rently consists of 50 employees – will also grow to realise
Eric Idema explains that EDC had
segment. From market-ready web
'Easytoys' that was met with great in-
the company’s ambitious plans. The first new name to join the EDC roster is Andre Visser.
focused on the internet as its prime
shop solutions to dropshipping to af-
terest due to its diversity, quality, and
The wholesale and distribution exper t, who has 15 years of experience in the adult industr y
distribution platform from the very
filiate business to packaging and
pricing. “Our goal is to grow – that
under his belt, star ted working for EDC on May 1.
beginning. “Considering what kinds
shipping to handling orders and
goes for our private brand Easytoys,
of volumes are moved online no-
payment – EDC offers everything
and it also goes for our third party
wadays, that knowledge comes in
online retailers may need, and they
business. We want to be one of the
exclusive
he future home of EDC is an 8,000 square metre
always because of space. Every few years, the team
quite handy today,” the founder and
offer it to all their customers who are
biggest one-stop shops in this indus-
complex. Logistics will be handled from here soon,
need a bigger building because the previous one got
CEO of EDC says. “In this field, you
active on the web. But that’s not all
try,” Idema emphasises. To achieve
and it will also accommodate the sales, marketing, IT,
too small, or because EDC wanted to lay the foundati-
need to be very flexible, and in spite
they bring to the table. Being a who-
such an ambitious goal, you need
graphics, controlling, and administration departments.
ons for future growth. Fortunately for Eric Idema and his
of the size of EDC, we’ve always
lesaler and distributor of adult pro-
the right people, of course. That’s
The reason for EDC to move onto new premises is the
employees, they have always found what they were
maintained that flexibility – in every-
ducts, their product range has
also why Eric hired Andre Visser as
same as it was the last time, and the time before. In all,
looking for in the company’s hometown of Veendam in
thing we do, also outside of e-com-
grown and changed over the
the company’s International Sales
this is the fourth time the company relocates, and it’s
the Netherlands, also this time. And if everything goes
merce, i.e. in distribution and who-
course of the years, and today, it in-
Director. Visser has been working in
T
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47
F E A T U R E
I n side the w ar e ho use
an d lo gistics ar e a
this industry for a long time. To be precise, he has
15 years of experience in distribution, and renowned companies such as Playhouse, Scala,
and Leg Avenue Europe have already benefited
from his talents. “During that time, I worked closely
with Walter Kroes, and I’d like to seize this opportunity
to thank him,” Andre says. “But now, I am ready for a
new challenge.” His excitement about the upcoming
challenges is palpable as he goes on to tell us that he
has already known Idema for ten years. “We’ve always
stayed in touch, after all, he was a customer of mine all
those years. This way, I also saw first-hand how EDC kept
growing and growing,” he continues. “I guess you could
say that Eric has done everything right. He’s always bet on
the right horse.” The right horse, being the internet, of course.
“I am happy that I can use my experience in service of a
modern and dynamic company such as EDC, and I am very
optimistic about the future!” Visser is now in charge of international sales, but in addition to that, his responsibilities also
include new business development. And on top of that, he
will work to find solutions for the brick and mortar trade, the
e-commerce segment, the wholesale and the distribution
business.
Eric and Andre’s goal is to start a new chapter in the history
Ma k i n g sur e E D C ke e ps growing : Andre V is s er
(In t ern a t i o n a l S a l e s D i r ec t or) a nd Eric Idema (fou nd er & CEO)
of EDC, positioning the company as a wholesaler and distributor that can provide everything the trade could possibly
want. “The time is right. As we all know, the market is
changing, and changes bring opportunities,” the company’s CEO explains. “Business models change and gaps
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F E A T U R E
This is wha t t he CEO’s o f f ice
wil l l ook l ik e onc e it’s f inishe d
The n e w buildin g w ill o f f e r
8000 sq uar e me te r s o f w o r king space
open up. Gaps we want to fill.” EDC certainly knows
Idema and the team want to position EDC as a one-
how to respond to changes and new trends - that’s
stop shop where the trade members can get anything
something the company has proven time and again
they need to satisfy their customers’ wishes. And what
throughout its history. Adaptability is a prerequisite for
about the company’s own brand, Easytoys? Idema
success in the fast-paced e-commerce world. “We
tells us that there is still a lot of potential waiting to be
are ready for this. We have many young, creative
tapped. “The brand has been welcomed with open
people on our team who know their way around mo-
arms, we’ve been able to quickly establish it in the
dern platforms, off the traditional paths of distribution,”
market, and the sales figures are more than satisfying.
Andre says when asked about the upcoming chal-
We will continue to add new products to the brand.
lenges facing the company and the adult market in
There is still a lot of room for growth, a lot of potential
general. And of course, EDC can also rely on a wide
we want to harness.” As you can see, there are quite
product range that covers all the big brands in the
a few tasks and challenges to keep the EDC team
adult industry. “One thing I’ve learned is that you have
busy, but the company is on the right track, and there
to offer all the current products and brands to do jus-
is little doubt that they will continue on their trajectory
tice to the customers. Cherry picking won’t cut it,“ Vis-
of growth.
ser explains. “That’s one of the challenges we are
“Our motto is 'Pleasing people all over the world', and
going to face.” As has already been mentioned,
we want to live up to it even better!.”
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