ICY COLD THE BEST

For thirteen years, B-Built has been the Design & Build specialist for the refrigerated and freezer storage sector. Both in the Netherlands and abroad. More than thirty employees design and realize high-quality tailor-made concepts, regardless of the nature, size and/or location of the project. Functionality, sustainability and logistical efficiency come first.

"We like to be involved in projects from the first initiative," emphasizes René Baartmans, director of B-Built. "Do you need storage capacity in a certain region? We are happy to make initial sketches and rough budget estimates! Moreover, we can advise on relevant starting points and preconditions. The moment a project gets the green light, we elaborate the file further, in close cooperation with the client. In doing so, we not only take care of the architectural and structural design, but also all the construction details, the installation techniques and the permit application. Immediately after the permit application is submitted, we already start the execution engineering and construction preparation so that, once the building permit is complete, realization can start immediately." The projects are contracted, executed and delivered by B-Built. "Clients are assured with us of highly involved and skilled project managers, work planners, supporting project coordinators and construction site managers, who focus entirely on one specific project. But also from one specialist partner and one guarantee party for the development of their complete cold store or freezer house. All for the sake of optimum efficiency and a high-quality end result. This makes us unique in the market."

Fine-tuned and full-service

To further strengthen its position as a Design & Built party, B-Built took a participation in GJM Bouwadviseurs last year, further strengthening the cooperation. "This allows us to safeguard our knowledge and expertise even better. Also towards future projects," said Baartmans. "When we started B-Built in 2008, we mainly made straightforward storage facilities, where full pallets went in and out. In recent years, however, the need for finer-grained and full-service storage facilities is increasing, which also places new demands on our services. For example, more attention to facility spaces, buffering and expedition is desired. Moreover, the size of our projects is increasing considerably."

Substantial growth

In order to facilitate larger projects as well, B-Built moved to a larger and private office building in Bergen op Zoom in 2018. "In recent years, we have achieved a stable turnover between 15 and 20 million euros per year," Baartmans said. "Last year this increased to 38 million and for 2021 we expect a turnover of 45 million. 2022 looks equally rosy. The market in which we operate has received an enormous boost. This presents us with new challenges, for example in terms of personnel. We are a Design & Build specialist in a niche market. This requires people who excel at the front end of a project and who can grow along with the process. But also for people who are willing to literally push their boundaries. For example, for projects in Belgium, France, Germany and the United Kingdom. Project leaders, work planners and site managers who see a challenge in this are welcome to get in touch."

Multi-client projects and automated high bay warehouses

B-Built's projects can be roughly divided into two: multi-client projects and automated high bay warehouses. "The first category includes manual cold storage warehouses of about 17 to 18 meters high, with fixed or mobile shelving and highly variable customers and/or product types," Baartmans said. "In addition, we are often involved in automatic high-bay warehouses, which are developed specifically for one end customer and in which we realize the shell, as it were, around the automation. Especially with the latter projects, working traditionally on the basis of specifications and drawings is almost impossible. Our expertise therefore comes into its own here. With more than 4.5 million cubic meters of storage space for over 800,000 pallets, we now have a big head start in this market."

As current reference projects in this niche market, Baartmans mentions the new, state-of-the-art automatic cold store for Kloosterboer (Cool Port II) in Rotterdam. Currently, B-Built is also involved in the new construction of a multi-client warehouse for AmeriCold in Dublin (Ireland), the new construction of De Blender for Innocent Drinks in Rotterdam and a new automatic cold store for NewCold in Corby (UK). In addition, several other major projects are in the pipeline.