Filippo Irdi
Since implementing Orderchamp Cloud, Arelo saw 25% growth in their business
Arjan and Lotte Brundel, owners of Arelo, built the company around a deep appreciation for high-quality loose leaf tea and a strong social mission. But with growth came administrative pressure, manual follow-ups, and the need for a more future-proof system. That’s when Orderchamp Cloud became central to their operations.
Introduction: Arelo
Nine years ago, Arjan and Lotte returned to the Netherlands after living in China for a year. There, they experienced tea culture in a completely different way: high-quality loose leaf tea, carefully selected and thoughtfully prepared — a sharp contrast to the tea bags that dominated Dutch shelves.
With Arjan’s background as a purchasing manager, they saw an opportunity. What if that same quality and experience could be brought to the Dutch market — but adapted to local preferences?
That idea became Arelo.
What started in a bedroom slowly evolved into a distinctive gift concept built around loose leaf tea. Today, Arelo distributes through 650 stores across the Netherlands, Belgium and other parts of Europe. The brand has steadily expanded — without losing sight of its core values.
But what truly sets Arelo apart is not just the product — it’s the social story behind it.
From day one, Arelo built its operations around social responsibility. The company works with people who have “their own place on the labor market” — individuals who cannot work in a regular workplace. All packing and shipping, from the tea itself to complete store displays, is handled in a social way.
The challenge: scaling operations without losing simplicity
Growth brings complexity. As Arelo grew, they saw their B2B sales become increasingly complex to manage.
Manual invoicing, chasing payments, handling orders from multiple channels, and processing paper-based orders from trade shows became increasingly time-consuming. They initially worked with a basic system, but as the company expanded, it became clear that this setup was not future-proof.
“We wanted to invest in the future,” Arjan explains. “Everything was already connected with Orderchamp, and we saw the growth and possibilities of the platform.”
That means efficiency it’s essential.
They needed a system that would:
Reduce manual administration
Improve payment handling
Support trade show orders
Scale with their growing retailer base
Keep operations simple
And this is why they went for Orderchamp Cloud
The solution: automation that supports growth and cash flow
Making the B2B Portal the central hub
Today, 70–80% of all retailer orders come through the Orderchamp B2B Portal. It has become Arelo’s main sales channel.
Instead of handling orders through email, phone, or paper forms, retailers now order directly through the portal. Orders are structured automatically, pricing is clearly displayed, and the process is streamlined for both sides.
The result? Less manual entry, fewer errors, and more time to focus on relationships and product development.
Since implementing Orderchamp Cloud, Arelo saw over 20% growth in their business — partly driven by the improved buying experience and operational clarity.
Automated payment reminders: improving cash flow
One of the most impactful features has been automated payment reminders.
Previously, chasing payments was a manual and repetitive task. With Orderchamp Cloud, reminders are sent automatically. According to Arjan, this alone saves at least 30% in manual work.
But the benefit goes further than time savings.
Because reminders are automated and consistent, payments now arrive earlier. That directly improves cash flow — which is crucial for a growing company that wants to remain accessible and affordable, rather than positioning itself as a high-end brand.
“We receive our money earlier,” Arjan shares, highlighting how automation directly supports financial stability.
Sales App: replacing paper at trade shows
Arelo attends trade shows three times a year. Previously, orders were written on paper and processed later — adding extra administrative work and potential mistakes.
With the Orderchamp Sales App, orders are entered directly into the system on-site.
By eliminating paper-based processes, the Arelo team reduced post-show admin, speed up order processing, and ensured stock levels are updated more quickly. This means less friction, fewer errors, and a better buying experience for retailers.
Integration with Stockitup: easy multi-channel management
Arelo also works with Stockitup for automatic stock synchronization across different sales channels.
This integration prevents overselling and backorders, which protects retailer relationships and avoids disappointment. It also saves time by automatically adjusting stock levels instead of managing them manually.
In addition, the reporting and purchasing insights help them make smarter decisions about replenishment and assortment planning.
Together, these integrations create a lean, automated backbone that supports growth without requiring a large internal team.
Lessons from the entrepreneurial journey
Arelo’s journey reflects a conscious choice: grow sustainably, both socially and operationally.
Arjan and Lotte believe in keeping entrepreneurship simple. The company operates with minimal fixed overhead, relying on systems and freelancers instead of building heavy internal structures.
This lean mindset allows them to maintain freedom — and stay close to what matters: quality products and a positive impact.
Their mission remains clear: make people happy. Not only with good tea, but also by contributing socially and creating accessible gift concepts for every budget.
What’s next for Arelo
Arelo is currently working with our partner Leenweb on developing a B2B website that integrates with the B2B Portal, to clearly separate their B2B proposition from their consumer website. This will also help them in creating a better
By directing retailers straight to the B2B website for information, pricing and ordering, they aim to further streamline the buying journey and eliminate confusion between B2C and wholesale.
The focus remains on clarity, efficiency, and growth — while preserving their strong social foundation.
With Orderchamp Cloud as their central system, Arelo continues to scale in a structured and future-proof way.
Thank you for your trust, team Arelo. We’re proud to support Arelo’s growth and social mission — and we’ll keep improving our software to help you scale even further.
