ABZ Diervoeding Renews ERP Environment "BESTMIX Software understands our business like no other"

ABZ Diervoeding was created in 2013 from a merger between the cooperatives Arkervaart and Brameco∙Zon. In the years that followed, the company grew steadily – partly thanks to various mergers and acquisitions. As of 2025, the Dutch cooperative has 2,800 members and 300 employees. The eight factories together produce approximately one million tons of animal feed annually. This has made ABZ Diervoeding a leading player for livestock farmers in all regions of the Netherlands. 

ABZ Diervoeding organizes and streamlines all activities – except for their own retail stores – from one central entity. For this, the company relies on the BESTMIX Software ecosystem. Marcel Roordink explains: "We use BESTMIX Recipe Management, BESTMIX Quality Control, BESTMIX Customer Hub, and BESTMIX ERP Suite. Choosing BESTMIX Software as our one-stop shop fits with our philosophy of simplicity and clarity that we apply toward our customers. We operate in a complex industry, so why make it even more complicated? From experience, we know we're in good hands with BESTMIX Software. This enables us to build a coherent software landscape together." 

The general director points to the specificity of the animal feed industry. "We buy a wide range of raw materials, process them into a diverse range of products, and package them in different forms. Also characteristic is the high volatility that you can only master by smoothly integrating purchasing, production, and sales. BESTMIX software manages to capture that complexity by making all systems communicate with each other." 

BESTMIX Software's ERP package has been an important hub within ABZ Diervoeding's operations for many years. "It once started with MILAS 3, which I considered more of an administrative tool at the time. MILAS 4 already allowed us to better handle things like article numbers and structures. The transition to MILAS for AX 2012 brought about the biggest shift for us. With the update to BESTMIX ERP Suite for Microsoft Dynamics 365, we're now reaching a new milestone." 

Sandra Duursma lists several reasons for the ERP update. "With the new version, we ensure access to the latest developments within BESTMIX ERP Suite, both today and in the future. We're aware that such a privilege within an AX 2012 environment was limited. Another advantage is the even better performance of the new package." 

ABZ Diervoeding shares its software preference with Vitelia, the industry colleague with whom the organization started a strategic partnership last year. Vitelia was among the first to use BESTMIX ERP Suite for Microsoft Dynamics 365. According to Marcel Roordink, the shared preference is enriching. "Besides the advantage of smooth mutual integration, we also gain access to a wealth of experience-based knowledge and best practices. Vitelia's input is of great value." 

The general director approaches the ERP implementation with a clear vision. "Many companies think that software should adapt to business processes. I don't believe in one-way traffic. It seems logical that as a company, you should also adapt your working methods to match the characteristics of the ERP package. This leads to less customization and a high degree of efficiency. We consider ourselves an average customer. In any case, the standard version of an ERP package should already meet most of our needs. BESTMIX Software fulfills those expectations seamlessly." 

This approach sounds like music to the financial director's ears. "When a project runs over time, it also runs over budget," states Sandra Duursma. "That's our motto. So it's not advisable to constantly demand adjustments from your software supplier during an ERP implementation or renewal. A realistic timeline is sacred in that regard. When that's right, the financial picture will also be correct. BESTMIX closely monitors budget developments during the project and communicates transparently about this in our joint steering committee. What also helps is the short line between BESTMIX and our MES supplier CGI. This interaction promotes seamless integration between our various data points." 

Both interview partners praise the careful follow-up by BESTMIX consultants. "Several BESTMIX Software employees have been connected with ABZ Diervoeding for many years. They know our company inside and out, which takes such a project to a higher level. We're also aware of our own role and responsibility. We find it important to involve the entire organization in the story. This way, everyone works with the software optimally and we get maximum benefit from it."