Holland International Distribution Council

What Holland International Distribution Council does

Holland International Distribution Council (HIDC), operating under the legal name Nederland Distributieland (NDL), is a Dutch private trade association (vereniging) founded in 1987 that promotes the Netherlands as Europe's logistics gateway and facilitates connections between foreign companies seeking European logistics partners and Dutch logistics service providers. The organization is part of the Invest in Holland network and works closely with the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA), Dutch consulates, and the Port of Rotterdam to generate cross-border investment projects and trade flows. Its membership comprises over 300 organizations spanning logistics service providers, shippers, carriers, ports and airports (including Schiphol and Port of Rotterdam), financial institutions, ICT suppliers, regional governments, and knowledge institutions.

NDL delivers value through lead generation, networking, knowledge dissemination, and matchmaking services. Core programs include the annual Nationale DistributieDag (NDD) conference, the NDL Innovatieprijs innovation prize, organized trade missions to markets such as China, the US, Canada, and the Philippines, and Dutch pavilions at major logistics fairs including Transport Logistic München and CILF China. The organization does not develop proprietary technology products; its platform value rests on relationship intermediation, event programming, and access to public-private investment promotion infrastructure. A small staff of approximately 10 people (7 in the Netherlands, 1 in China, 1 in Southeast Asia, 1 in North America) executes these activities, with general director Remco Buurman and chairperson Annemarie Jorritsma leading the organization.

The business model is membership-subscription based, with annual contributions from member companies plus project-related funding flows tied to realized foreign investment. NDL does not publicly disclose revenue. In 2025, the association reported 236 newly registered investment projects, 59 realized projects, €12 million in member contract value, €42 million in investment value, 329 new jobs created, and 37 new member additions, illustrating the scale of intermediated economic activity relative to the organization's modest headcount and non-profit status.

Name

Holland International Distribution Council

Legal name

Nederland Distributieland

Website

https://hollandinternationaldistributioncouncil.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Holland International Distribution Council (NDL) is a Dutch trade association, founded in 1987, that connects foreign companies with Dutch logistics providers through membership services, trade missions, matchmaking events, and innovation programs, serving 300+ members across the logistics chain.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Zoetermeer

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership subscriptions: NDL operates as a membership association with annual subscriptions from over 300 member companies including logistics service providers, shippers, financial institutions, consultants, ICT suppliers, regional governments, and knowledge institutions. Members pay contributions to access networking, knowledge sharing, and international business development services.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

HIDC (operating as Nederland Distributieland / NDL) is a Dutch logistics trade association that provides advisory, matchmaking, and networking services to connect foreign companies seeking European logistics operations with Dutch logistics providers. Through its 300+ member network, the association organizes international trade missions, conferences, innovation competitions, and pavilions at major logistics trade fairs to promote the Netherlands as Europe's logistics gateway.

Product overview

Holland International Distribution Council (NDL) operates as a logistics industry association rather than a traditional product company. The organization offers a suite of services including lead generation for international expansion, a networking platform connecting logistics professionals, and a knowledge sharing system covering sustainability, innovation and market developments. The core programs include the NDL Innovatieprijs (annual innovation award), the Nationale DistributieDag (annual national conference), international trade missions, and the Nederlands Paviljoen exhibition program at major trade shows. These services are designed to promote Dutch logistics capabilities internationally and support member companies in their growth and development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• NDL Membership Services Annual membership program providing logistics companies with access to lead generation, networking events, knowledge sharing, international business development, and matchmaking with foreign companies seeking European logistics partners.
• International Trade Missions Multi-day trade missions to foreign markets (China, North America, UK) including seminars, company visits, matchmaking sessions, and networking events for Dutch logistics providers seeking international business opportunities.
• Nationale DistributieDag (NDD) Annual national distribution day conference bringing logistics professionals together around specific themes such as AI, circularity, and sustainability, with keynote sessions and networking.
• NDL Innovatieprijs (Innovation Award) Annual innovation competition showcasing groundbreaking ideas for smarter and more sustainable supply chains, featuring company pitches and an awards ceremony.
• Nederlands Paviljoen (Netherlands Pavilion) Joint exhibition space organized at major international logistics trade fairs (Transport Logistic München, CILF China) enabling Dutch logistics providers to showcase capabilities to international audiences.
• International Matchmaking Advisory Advisory and matchmaking service identifying foreign companies seeking to expand into European logistics, then connecting them with NDL member providers through networking events and dedicated introductions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 69 investment projects realized in 2023, creating 225 expected jobs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNFIA is a key partner in the Invest in Holland network. NDL works closely with NFIA offices worldwide to generate investment projects and support foreign companies in establishing logistics operations in the Netherlands.
• Netherlands Business Support Office (NBSO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNBSO offices in China (Shenzhen) support NDL's activities in the Chinese market, helping to organize trade missions and connect Dutch logistics companies with Chinese partners.
• Havenbedrijf Rotterdam (Port of Rotterdam)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPort of Rotterdam is a key partner in promoting Dutch logistics capabilities internationally. They co-organize trade missions and represent Dutch logistics at international events. NDL collaborated with Port of Rotterdam on missions to China and US.
• Logistics OverijsselcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLogistics Overijssel (including Haven van Zwolle, Twente, and Deventer) co-organizes the Dutch pavilion at Transport Logistic München 2027 with NDL to promote the Netherlands as a leading logistics country.
• Bayern ExpressminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBayern Express is now officially part of the Joint Corridors Off-Road program. The corridor includes 44 Joint Corridors with over 400 departures/arrivals per week, 3 million TEU freight capacity, and 900,000 tons CO2 savings capacity.
• VIL (Vlaams Instituut voor de Logistiek)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFlemish Institute for Logistics based in Antwerp, Belgium. NDL visited VIL to discuss innovations in sustainability and digitalization in logistics.
• Dutch Chamber of Commerce Philippines (DCCP)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerDCCP organized a business trade mission to the Philippines in 2023, supported by NDL, focused on Agri-Food, IT & Tech, Startups, and sustainability sectors.
• Holland Canada HouseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership to strengthen relations with Canadian companies looking to expand to Europe through the Netherlands. NDL staff traveled to Canada to meet with Holland Canada House and other partners.
• Investissement QuébecminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGovernment investment agency in Quebec, Canada. Partner in promoting the Netherlands as logistics gateway to European companies considering North American expansion.
• Toronto GlobalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInternational trade and development organization in Toronto. Partner in networking and promoting Netherlands logistics capabilities to Canadian companies.
• Toronto Region Board of TrademinorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness organization in Toronto that NDL met with to discuss how to support companies looking to expand to Europe.
• Excellence Industrielle Saint-LaurentminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustrial excellence organization in Montreal that organized a breakfast roundtable with NDL for companies looking at expansion to Europe.
• Chambre de commerce du Montréal métropolitainminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMontreal metropolitan chamber of commerce where NDL provided training sessions about Netherlands as the gateway to Europe.
• Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency - Atlanta OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNFIA office in Atlanta that NDL collaborates with for US market activities. Together they organized seminars for companies about logistics and supply chain developments in Europe.
• Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency - Chicago OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNFIA office in Chicago that NDL works with on new and ongoing projects and network partnerships including US Commercial Services and CSCMP.
• Mississippi Development Authority (MDA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerEconomic development agency from Mississippi, USA that organized an incoming mission to Europe. NDL participated as panelist to discuss setting up European supply chains and Dutch logistics advantages.
• Consulates-General in Guangzhou and Hong KongminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDutch consulates in China that NDL works with to support companies interested in Netherlands logistics and Greater Bay Area opportunities.
• Yantian International Container TerminalsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChinese container terminal that organized the China-Netherlands Green Logistics Corridor Communication Session during NDL's green logistics delegation visit to Shenzhen.
• HuaweiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChinese technology company visited during NDL's China mission. Demonstrates NDL's reach in connecting with major Chinese companies.
• JD.comminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor Chinese e-commerce company that NDL met with during China missions. Represents type of large shippers NDL connects members with.
• VLM (Vereniging Logistiek Management)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVLM co-organizes the 'Weerbare logistiek' event with NDL focusing on resilience and continuity in logistics. Represents collaboration between Dutch logistics associations.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• European Logistics Association (ELA): Umbrella European logistics association representing national logistics bodies across Europe. Directly comparable as the supranational coordination layer for European logistics associations, of which NDL/HIDC is effectively a member-eligible national affiliate.
• Logistics UK: One of the UK's largest trade associations for the logistics sector, representing logistics businesses and promoting UK supply chain capabilities. Comparable as a national logistics membership association providing policy advocacy, events, and member services.
• Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP): Leading North American professional association for supply chain management, with which NDL has a direct US-partnership relationship through the NFIA Chicago office. Comparable as a global supply chain/logistics membership association delivering networking, education, and industry promotion.
• British International Freight Association (BIFA): UK trade association representing the freight forwarding and logistics sector. Directly comparable as a national association promoting UK logistics capabilities internationally and providing training, advocacy, and member services to logistics service providers.
• Bundesvereinigung Logistik (BVL): The German logistics trade association, a much larger direct peer. BVL performs the same trade-association function for Germany's logistics sector as NDL does for the Netherlands, including networking, knowledge sharing, supply chain promotion, and flagship events.
• Vereniging Logistiek Management (VLM): Dutch association for logistics management professionals. A direct domestic peer within the same market; NDL and VLM co-organize events including the 'Weerbare logistiek' resilience program, indicating direct cooperation on the same Dutch logistics membership base.
• VIL (Vlaams Instituut voor de Logistiek): Flemish Institute for Logistics, Belgium's counterpart trade association for the logistics sector. Directly comparable as a regional logistics industry association promoting the Antwerp/Flanders logistics ecosystem to foreign companies, with whom NDL has an active partnership on sustainability and digitalization.

Regional players

• Singapore Logistics Association (SLA): Trade association for the Singapore logistics sector, representing logistics service providers and promoting Singapore as an Asia-Pacific logistics hub. Comparable as a national logistics association pursuing a similar hub-promotion strategy, but operating in a different geography (APAC vs Europe).
• Logistics & Transport Association of the Philippines (LTAP): National logistics industry body in the Philippines, where NDL has an active trade-mission partnership via the Dutch Chamber of Commerce Philippines. Comparable as a national logistics association pursuing international investment promotion in a regional (APAC) context.

Broad incumbents

• FIATA (International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations): Global umbrella federation of national freight forwarding and logistics associations. Comparable as the international apex body for logistics trade associations; NDL's freight-forwarder members would be connected to FIATA through the Dutch member association.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/holland-international-distribution-council

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Holland International Distribution Council