DC Sugar Fields | Etten-Leur

In Etten-Leur, ASK Romein has started the construction of a state-of-the-art 70,000 m² distribution center for Heylen Warehouses, the largest Belgian real estate investor in the Netherlands. The new DC will soon meet the highest achievable security standard in the transport sector. Reason for us, albeit by invitation, to take a look at this progressive and high-security project.

DC Sugar Fields is being built on the former Suikerunie site in the heart of the logistics hotspot West Brabant. The site is about 11 hectares in size, on which a distribution center of a total of 70,000 m² will be realized, consisting of five linked units. Units 2 to 5, accounting for some 55,000 m², have meanwhile been leased by Heylen Warehouses to ID Logistics, which will provide logistical services for MediaMarkt Netherlands from here. This is also the reason that ASK Romein started the construction of the already leased units last summer.

Concrete shell
ASK Romein has been a partner of the Belgian real estate investor for many years. "For example, in recent years we have realized distribution centers for Heylen Warehouses in Venlo, Almelo and Grobbendonk," reflects Jack van Iersel, project manager at ASK Romein. "For the distribution center at Sugar Fields here in Etten-Leur, we provide the shell of the building and the complete coordination and alignment with the various subsidiary contractors of Heylen Warehouses. The shell consists largely of a concrete structure. This makes it relatively easy to meet the fire resistance requirements. Indeed, the requirement is 60 minutes but the complete building is based on 120 minutes fire resistance. The roof will be made of a steel structure, mainly to save weight. In total, some 2,000 tons of steel will be involved." The facade construction includes a concrete structure on the first floor with sandwich panels above it that vary in pattern from unit to unit. It gives the building, a design by Wastiau Architects of Herentals, an architectural appearance later on, according to Van Iersel.

Architects: Wastiau & Co, Wil-Ma.

Camouflage
Security is a key focus at the new DC. The new distribution center will soon be TAPA A certified, the highest attainable security standard in the transport sector. Special fences, raised curbs and security glass, for example, must make ram-raids impossible. Speaking of those fences, even the construction site is enclosed with unique construction fences, equipped with camouflage, to obstruct the view of the construction work as much as possible. "An idea of the architect," Van Iersel knows. "If you look closely, you can detect a dozen words in the camouflage that relate to the project." 

"As an investor in logistics real estate, we are increasingly faced with stricter security standards," says Ralph Caspanni, CEO of Heylen Warehouses. "Our international clients expect a certain standard. This is why we have invested heavily internally in this expertise."

From left to right: Wim Heylen (Executive Chairman and Owner Heylen Warehouses), Eric Hémar (ID Logistics President), Marco van Walraven (Managing Director ID Logistics Benelux), Martin van der Bijl (Etten-Leur City Councilman), Ralph Caspanni (CEO Heylen Warehouses), Michael Soehlke
(CFO MediaMarkt Netherlands) and Miranda de Vries (mayor of Etten-Leur).

War on talent
The new distribution center has a very central location between the ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam, with good highway access. "As a real estate investor, we are always looking for strategic locations," said Caspanni. "Industrial park Vosdonk in Etten-Leur is a good base, centrally located in the logistics hotspot of West Brabant and close to the city center in view of potential labor. Especially the latter is important in the "war on talent. It is increasingly difficult to find suitable personnel, preferably within a limited radius. By constructing several linked units, we make the building so flexible that we can always meet housing needs, even in the future. The housing can grow or shrink with you." 

ID Logistics' logistics operation at the new distribution center will bring about 150 new jobs to the region. Construction of the new distribution center is progressing well. ID Logistics is expected to be able to start distribution for MediaMarkt as early as this summer. ASK Romein also started the realization of Unit 1, good for another 15,000 m², in February this year. Caspanni expects to find a tenant for this soon. Apart from the further completion and delivery of the Sugar Fields DC in Etten-Leur, ASK Romein is also currently busy with the realization of distribution centers in the ports of Antwerp and Amsterdam and in Berkel en Rodenrijs, project Silk Route 21, also for Heylen Warehouses.