In healthcare, budget cuts and staff shortages continue to put pressure on organizations. In this article, we explore how consolidating purchasing can be an effective way to save costs, ease workloads, and improve everyday operations, exemplified by a case in the Netherlands.
How smarter procurement eases pressure on healthcare
Rob Basjes, Director of ABENA NL, explains:
“By rethinking how procurement is organized, healthcare institutions can free up time for staff and achieve more efficient operations. Consolidating purchasing is not just about lowering costs - it’s also about giving professionals tools that make their daily work easier.”
Consolidation creates measurable improvements
ABENA operates globally with its own production in Europe and an international sourcing network, ensuring quality, reliability, and economies of scale. At the same time, local subsidiaries such as ABENA NL work closely with customers to understand needs on every level of the organization. This collaboration enables a tailored approach where existing product ranges and ordering routines are reviewed together with the customer.
An example of this is Heeren Loo, one of the largest healthcare institutions in the Netherlands, which recently consolidated its purchasing with ABENA NL. In close cooperation, ABENA helped the organization evaluate its existing assortment and identify opportunities for a more streamlined and consolidated setup with ABENA products. As part of this process, a digital ordering solution - developed locally in the Netherlands - was also introduced to support the new structure. In practice, this meant fewer suppliers, a simplified product range, and a smoother process for both management and care staff.
“A clear and intuitive ordering process reduces complexity for our teams,” says Micha van Akkeren, member of the Executive Board at Heeren Loo. “It helps us save time, cut costs, and make our logistics more efficient - all while ensuring staff can focus on what matters most: delivering quality care.”
