Sometimes an adventure begins in the most unexpected places. This is also the case with Stoov, which all started with a broken seat heater in a car. Founder Teun van Leijsen took the seat apart, was fascinated by the technology and immediately recognized opportunities. The first Stoov heating pad – for his pregnant wife, who liked to sit outside – proved to be the starting signal for a brand that now literally warms millions of people: at home, outside and on the go. Today, Stoov is active worldwide and offers wireless heating pads, blankets and scarves that impress in terms of both comfort and energy efficiency.
Heat knows no boundaries
Stoov’s mission is clear: to provide people worldwide with sustainable heat. The current focus is on Europe, particularly the Netherlands, Germany and the United Kingdom. But Stoov thinks ahead. “There are chilblains everywhere that we can help,” laughs Teun. Even Australia is already part of the Stoov network, so the brand remains active all year round. The selection of new markets is very conscious. Stoov examines countries with cold winters, large potential customer bases and corresponding purchasing power. Great emphasis is also placed on understanding local cultures and needs. “Warm and cold are universal, but how people deal with them is culturally influenced,” explains Teun.
Sustainability as a guiding principle
Stoov is not only a commercial success, but above all a sustainable innovator. The brand is B Corp certified and shows that comfort and environmental consciousness can go hand in hand. By using recycled and organic materials as well as the energy-efficient design of the products, customers actually save energy – and reduce their ecological footprint. “We warm people, not the planet” is the meaningful motto.
Customer-focused innovation
With more than 1.5 million products sold and daily direct contact with customers, Stoov knows exactly what is in demand. Feedback is taken seriously and the internal design team is continually working on improvements and new products. This fall, Stoov is once again bringing innovative items onto the market as well as an upgrade to its heating technology. The key is small-scale testing and gradual implementation. “We listen, learn and improve – this is how we bring products that really make a difference,” says Teun.
Challenge: stay relevant in autumn and winter
Although Stoov sees peak sales during the cold months, the brand ensures it remains visible and relevant all year round. This fall the focus is primarily on heating scarves: an accessory that combines warmth and style. Thanks to soft, high-quality fabrics and minimalist designs, the scarves fit seamlessly into your winter wardrobe. Stoov shows that heating products can be not only functional but also fashionable. “We enjoy the season but stay active all year round.”
Monta as a logistical backbone
International growth requires a fulfillment partner that grows with you. Stoov found this partner in Monta. Nicole Peters, responsible for operational management and supply chain at Stoov, explains: “We were looking for a partner who understood our ambitions and our rapid growth. Monta was the perfect choice: scalable, flexible and always in personal contact.” Monta handles the entire fulfillment for Stoov in Europe: from picking to shipping, storage and returns – everything runs smoothly, even with unexpected peaks or special requests. Thanks to weekly coordination and predictable planning, busy periods are now much quieter. According to Nicole, the MontaPortal also makes a big difference: “It offers real-time insights into orders, inventory and reports, so we always have full control over our processes.”
Stoov has been working with Monta in Germany for a long time and will soon be working in the UK. In both countries, inventory is stored and shipped locally. “It’s great to have a reliable partner who will grow with us and help us realize our international ambitions – soon in the UK too,” says Nicole. By no longer shipping all international orders from the Netherlands, but instead using Monta’s warehouses in several countries, Stoov shortens delivery times significantly. This not only reduces transport costs and makes logistics more sustainable, but also contributes to higher customer satisfaction through faster delivery.
Outlook: Stoov as European market leader
Stoov is ambitious. In the coming years, the brand wants to become the market leader across Europe and expand its range with new, innovative heating solutions. With a strong focus on sustainability, an engaged community and the partnership with Monta as the logistical backbone, Stoov is ready for the next step.
With courage, innovation and strong collaborations, Stoov makes a difference – not just in Europe, but worldwide. The result? Sustainable warmth, satisfied customers and a brand that will leave no one cold in the future.