bulkvision is revolutionizing security in the procurement of raw materials.

According to the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, more than 600 million people worldwide fall ill every year from contaminated food. Despite the highest hygiene standards in food production, dangerous contaminations such as salmonella, allergens or plastics occur time and again during the procurement of raw materials. This harms consumers and costs corporations billions.

bulkvision solves the problem by giving the parties involved transparency about the individual steps of the transport containers in the supply chain. For the first time, logistics companies have the opportunity to break away from pure price competition and offer a better service. In addition, bulkvision enables the digitalization of many work steps that are currently carried out manually, such as filling out cleaning orders (paper forms), manually adding security seals to cleaning documents, registering at check-in at loading points, etc.

And this is how it all works: each transport container is given a GID label (Global ITEM ID) for global identification. The data is evaluated in the associated bulkvision software, which documents existing cleaning certificates, preloads, the condition of the transport container and much more, and makes it transparently available to all parties involved.

We thus offer a product that makes a significant contribution to food safety for the industry and the consumer. It is tamper-proof, can be used worldwide and reduces environmentally harmful pollutant emissions and administrative costs.

We have been acquiring customers and cooperation partners for two years. We have already acquired 20 cleaning plants as paying customers, as well as 10 transportation companies. Most recently, we launched a pilot project with the international food group Mondeléz with over 100,000 employees worldwide.

The aim now is to use the EUR 1.2 million investment to expand marketing, sales and customer support in order to establish bulkvision on a broad international market.

bulkvision GmbH was founded in 2015 by Dipl.-Ing. Hans-Dieter Philipowski in Hamburg. The goal was to develop and introduce to the market the first practical blockchain cloud technology for increased safety and transparency in the transport of unpackaged food raw materials, food, feed, and chemicals.

In January 2022, Anton Sevastyanenko, MBA, initially joined as an employee and has been a partner and managing director of bulkvision GmbH since August 2022. Both have known each other for more than twelve years through business collaboration in the area of project development and plant construction for railcar cleaning facilities.

Our vision is to contribute our sustainable innovation to global logistics for the benefit of consumers and industry by using digital traceability of each individual process step in supply chains and employing standardized cleaning processes.

TEAM

The international bulkvision team is composed of seasoned experts who have amassed many years of experience in the fields of transportation, logistics, cleaning stations, and the food industry. With their expertise and dedication, they play a crucial role in introducing bulkvision as a new and innovative product to the market. The software development is conceptually carried out within the core team, while the programming implementation is done by external service providers.

Marcin Stelmach. Sales, Training, Support. Marcin has been responsible for sales in Poland and the surrounding countries of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Slovenia for more than a year.

Dipl.- Ing. Vladimir Surcinski. International Sales, Training, Certification. Vladimir joined the bulkvision team on February 1, 2024, and has over 10 years of experience as a Lead Auditor in the food industry. He has been a voluntary board member of the ENFIT e.V. association for 2 years.

Christoph Skirde. Sales, Training, E-Learning. Lead Auditor in the food industry, certified for 3 years in cleaning stations according to the ENFIT standard.

Julien Heinen. Innovation and Software Development. Julien is the deputy manager of ASRO CLEAN AG, a cleaning station in Eupen, Belgium, and in the transport company RHT-Roger Heinen Transport, and works as a consultant for bulkvision.

Uve Hilgendorf. Sales, Training, Support. Uve has been a plant manager at a cleaning station for many years and will bring his experience to bulkvision on a part-time basis.

For the first time, bulkvision enables digital data transfer between the constantly changing participants of the supply chain, including the industry, loaders and unloaders, logistic service providers, and cleaning stations. Until now, the market has only offered partial island solutions that do not allow for direct and unadulterated communication between the different stakeholders. With bulkvision, it is ensured that, for example, information about the transported product is transferred from the loader to the unloader without manipulation, and the unloader can verify these data. It is not possible for the transport company to alter or falsify these data afterwards, as they are securely saved in the blockchain without manipulation. Based on these product data, standardized cleaning procedures are recommended to the cleaning station. The applied cleaning procedures are documented without manipulation after the cleaning, so that the next loader in the chain receives secured data, making the supply chain safer.

bulkvision Software and GID-Label

With bulkvision, we elevate transparency and safety in all supply chains to a level previously unknown. Digitalization brings connectivity, decentralization, real-time capability, and service orientation.

This opens up new possibilities to optimize and make more efficient the material and information flows between companies and their environment. With blockchain cloud technology, bulkvision creates unique advantages: Users involved in the supply chain gain access to exactly the transport information and data they need for their processes. Downstream and upstream. In real-time.

The bulkvision software (SaaS) is used by the stakeholders of the supply chain in combination with the GID (Global ITEM-ID). The users/customers are:

• Industry (food, feed, and chemicals)

• Transport and logistics companies

• Cleaning stations and depots

Each transport container is marked with a GID by the owner. The transport company sets up a digital twin, thereby allowing industry and cleaning stations access to relevant transport data and information stored on an independent platform.

The bulkvision system is user-friendly, reduces administrative and personnel effort, is tamper-proof, transparent, environmentally sustainable, protected against manipulation, and globally applicable in real-time.

Applying the GID is a prerequisite for a secure, distinctive identification of each transport unit and the key for transparent tracing of all transport processes through bulkvision. From production to consumer.

With the GID, industry and cleaning stations gain direct access to all technical details as well as the condition of the transport container, previous loads, existing cleaning certificates, the security through digital seals, and the documentation of the seal plans (keyword: Food Defense - protection against contamination, manipulation, and sabotage).

Enhanced Data Transparency and Integrity
The combination of GID and the bulkvision blockchain cloud technology secures data integrity and enhances the transparency of individual process steps.

Key bulkvision software tools include:

• Digital twin of the transport containers with technical details

• Direct communication between participants of the supply chain (Peer-to-Peer)

• Real-time data transfer

• Track & Trace (POI)

• Digital Check-In and Check-Out

• Driver and container identification (Food-Feed and Chemical Defense)

• Unadulterated history of previous loads (allergens, GMOs)

• Kosher and Halal requirements

• Digital and language-independent cleaning order

• Digital and tamper-proof security seals

• Digital order processing in cleaning

• Digital “ECC” ENFIT CLEANING CERTIFICATE “ENFIT cleaning certificate

• Digital documentation

For the first time, bulkvision enables direct "Peer-to-Peer communication" between constantly changing stakeholders in the supply chain. bulkvision is not just "software" or a "cloud platform" for exchanging data and information but a comprehensive security systemthat combines expertise from the cleaning industry and the production of food, feed, and chemicals with expertise in transport and logistics.

Only the specialized knowledge of the real problems and effects in the supply chain and their impact on the involved industrial companies up to the consumers has made the holistic development of the bulkvision software and its functionality possible.

So far, there are no comparable solutions on the market. Another unique selling point is the user-friendly operation on smartphones, tablets, and desktops and the easy onboarding of users. The combination of the software with the “ECC-ENFIT INTERNATIONAL CLEANING CERTIFICATE®” (exclusive use of the ENFIT cleaning certificate) is also unique. Furthermore, bulkvision is the only software to utilize the special KOSHER and HALAL standards, which are increasingly influencing the food industry.

Several years of software programming development, including blockchain technology.

10-15 times cheaper than GPS trackers. Additionally, no maintenance and no SIM card are required.

Competitive products, such as yard or asset management, can only be operated as island solutions. This means that although there are some providers for the software to manage transport containers (assets), it can only be used by the owner in his own operation and own IT operating system. The integration of other users, such as loaders, unloaders, and cleaning stations, is not possible access to these systems. The same applies to visitor management in the industry. The trucks and their drivers entering and exiting the industry daily must undergo an individual check-in and check-out procedure in each company. With bulkvision, the driver, his company, and the transport container can be directly identified and registered by scanning. This simplifies the procedures and increases the security of industrial companies, so that only individuals with a concrete purpose (loading, unloading) can enter and exit.

Business Model:

The bulkvision business model is characterized by generating both one-time and recurring revenues. The bulkvision SaaS software is charged at a base price of €1,200 per year per location (production sites, cleaning stations, transport, or logistics branches). Currently, additional development tools are being processed that enable supplementary services, such as SAP connection, creation of delivery notes, and invoices. We are also working on developing check-in and check-out processes for industrial companies and cleaning stations with touchscreens. In the future, bulkvision will also sell the corresponding hardware to customers.

The GIDs are sold as basic equipment at a unit price of between €18.00 and €25.00 (depending on the quantity ordered) and are additionally charged with a daily license fee of 2 cents per container per day.

Our subscription model allows for highly scalable business development. In addition, digital security seals (Food Defense) that can be scanned error-free and tamper-proof via smartphone with the bulkvision software are sold to cleaning stations and loaders of the transport containers.

Since the seals can only be used once and an average of 15 seals are needed per transport and container, this also offers good business opportunities.

Sales:

The sale of GIDs and software takes place through direct contact with potential customers, such as cleaning stations, transport and logistics companies, and the industry. The founder has been personally known in the mentioned sectors for years through association work and through work in and with bulkvision. Generally, bulkvision customers are already members of the ENFIT association founded by Hans-Dieter Philipowski.

Cleaning stations are typically certified according to ENFIT association standards before using bulkvision. The founder's networking through his association work with national and international organizations such as the European Commission (DG-Sante), the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) in Berlin, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in the USA, as well as Jewish and Muslim organizations for KOSHER and HALAL standards, positively influences sales success.

Drivers in sales are primarily food producers like Mondelez, Nestle, Ferrero, and others who have recognized the connection between product safety and insufficient transport hygiene due to billion-dollar product recalls. Following recent billion-dollar product recalls, food producers have increased requirements for raw material procurement and thus for raw material producers. This leads to these increased quality, safety, and transparency requirements being passed down from the top, from the food producer, down through the raw material suppliers to the transport and logistics companies contracted by them for transport, all the way to the cleaning stations.

In collaboration with bulkvision and ENFIT, Mondeléz conducts risk assessments with their raw material suppliers, such as Barry Callebaut, Cargill, Nordzucker, and other companies, to identify vulnerabilities in transport and cleaning. Afterward, Mondeléz will oblige its raw material suppliers to only use transport service providers that equip their transport containers with the GID and to have the cleaning of the transport containers carried out only according to ENFIT cleaning standards.

For this reason, in sales, it is necessary, sensible, and useful to influence the players in the system and thus potential customers through different channels.

Geschäftsmodell/ Vertrieb am Beispiel Mondelez:

bulkvision stands out in a diversified market with numerous industries, from logistics to food manufacturers, through its efficient globally deployable tracking and security solutions. The significant market demand for improved logistics processes and increased food safety provides an ideal platform for the innovative bulkvision technology. The following figures represent the worldwide potential.

• 100 million transport containers

• 4 million food producers

• 1 million chemical and feed producers

• 3 million transport companies

The majority of the capital invested is planned for personnel development in the areas of sales and marketing. Our goal is to significantly increase the brand presence of bulkvision and thereby acquire new customers. Additionally, we aim to expand European and international networks and partnerships through proprietary events and presentations.

Undoubtedly, a substantial portion of the funds will flow into software development. Our ambition is to further extend the technological lead of bulkvision. We claim a clear leadership position in the digitalization of our customer groups.

This strategic allocation of capital aims to strengthen bulkvision's market position and generate long-term, sustainable growth.

• 5 years of software development with the implementation of prototypes and the development of the currently market-used bulkvision SaaS software

• Integration of international cleaning standards, in cooperation with the ENFIT association, and royalty-free integration of the international cleaning certificate (ECC-ENFIT CLEANING CERTIFICATE®)

• Integration of more than 5,000 cleaning procedures. Each transported product has its specific cleaning procedure. When a transport container is cleaned, the cleaning station is provided with the appropriate and verified cleaning procedure

• Collaboration with the Jewish organization for KOSHER cleaning standards and the Islamic organization for HALAL cleaning standards with certification rights

• 20 cleaning facilities as paying customers

• Ten transportation companies as customers

• Mondelez, with 180 locations worldwide, is already a partner in the pilot project and is integrating raw material suppliers such as Barry Callebaut, Cargill, AAK, and others into the bulkvision system. With Mondelez, its raw material suppliers, their transport service providers, and the transport containers and the cleaning stations involved, we expect a potential for usage fees, sold and licensed GIDs, amounting to approximately 2-3 million €/year

• Steinkühler – Preparation for the implementation of the extended touchscreen technology for cleaning plants

• Preparation for acquiring Steinkühler customers (> 450 cleaning customers) as bulkvision customers

• Conducting the first pilot project in the area of reusable packaging (labeling of secondary packaging with GIDs and the use of digital seals)

• The digitization of a previously under-digitized industry is overdue

  • Increasing pressure to digitize in the transport industry due to driver shortages and the lack of driver qualifications

• The relevance of supply chains regarding hygiene safety is becoming increasingly prominent

• Software is already developed and funded

• First customer projects are being implemented:

  • In the last 12 months, 20 cleaning companies acquired as paying customers

  • First major customer from the food sector (Mondelez) is in a pilot phase. Implementation at up to 100 factories (Mondelez and raw material suppliers), up to 50 logistics companies, and up to 150 cleaning companies planned for 2024

  • Another project for Steinkühler (Transport/logistics company including 4 cleaning stations with 350 transport vehicles already equipped with the GID (The label from bulkvision))

  • Pilot projects in the cities of Mainz and Wiesbaden for the labeling of reusable packaging (currently, 3,500 plastic boxes are being equipped with the GID)

• Packaging law in effect since 01.01.2023: Gas stations, kiosks, system gastronomy, and gastronomy must offer reusable alternatives? This is a driver for cleaning solutions

• First steps of market entry in Poland already taken

Could logistics companies reject a transparent supply chain?

Due to billion-dollar product recalls, all participants realize how important transparency is. With bulkvision, logistics companies can for the first time utilize transparency and safety as an additional customer benefit and thus distinguish their offerings from "opaque" providers. Increased transparency allows for higher pricing.

Can the current economic pressure on the logistics industry lead to the rejection of bulkvision?

The current economic pressure on the logistics industry makes the use of bulkvision software even more sensible. Manual and error-prone processes are automated and thus error-free. Waiting times at check-in are reduced, and energy and CO2 are saved. Digitalization additionally counteracts the driver shortage because even less well-trained drivers can take over the work.

The company has existed for several years without achieving scalability. Why should this be possible now?

The bulkvision software is not just software but an entire safety system. Food safety, transport hygiene, Food Defense, cleaning, etc. This required the parallel development of international cleaning standards and their acceptance (association work) and awareness in the industry. Exactly this has been achieved by the founder in the last 3 years. Since then, the first customers have been acquired, and new customers are currently being added. This shows us that the time is now ripe for implementation and scaling. The development with the Mondeléz corporation also demonstrates this.

How does bulkvision deal with the long sales cycles with large customers?

The long sales cycles have meant that it took years to make bulkvision and the associated "safety system" known. After the successful acquisition of the Mondeléz corporation, the sales cycles will significantly open up more easily due to the necessity of the global networking of the corporations.

bulkvision has a rather complicated business model. What obstacles does this entail?

We very clearly perceived these obstacles at the beginning. After the industry recognized the necessity, companies are opening up to the product. The complexity of the software and the underlying "safety system" make it difficult for bulkvision to be easily copied, which represents a significant advantage.