DC Ingram Micro | Groutless hybrid floor as a functional and sustainable solution

For the realization of the floor construction of the new DC for Ingram Micro, main contractor Heerkens van Bavel Bouw engaged the expertise of Van Berlo. Based on the functional requirements and the intended BREEAM 'Outstanding' sustainability level, a jointless hybrid floor, the VB Zetta®, was chosen. Commercial and technical advisor at Van Berlo, Michiel van Zon, explains why.

From the modern distribution center on the Vossenberg business park in Tilburg-Northwest, Ingram Micro, logistics specialist for the largest online shops in the Netherlands, will take care of the logistics operation for Bijenkorf. "Together with the contractor, we selected a type of floor based on the intended floor load requirements that best suits the activities that will take place in the warehouse," says Van Zon. "Taking into account both the sustainability aspect and, of course, the economic aspect. The VB Zetta^® Groutless hybrid flooring came out on top."

Broad scope of application
The combination of conventional top reinforcement and steel fibers makes the VB Zetta^® Groutless hybrid floor suitable for a wide range of applications in all kinds of warehouses. In addition to the warehouse with a floor area of just under 24,000 m², Van Berlo also poured the shipping floors (7,250 m²), as well as the office floors (3,400 m²), the mezzanine (6,350 m²) and the loading pits outside, totaling 5,340 m². Van Zon: "The floors in the warehouse were realized in accordance with NEN 2747 flatness class 4 and also delivered with an independent flatness report. In September 2018, we started the execution, both with the floor in the warehouse and with the expedition floor, which was executed in accordance with flatness requirement DIN 18202. Both floor structures are a design by the main contractor, founded on steel and realized in thirteen pouring days. About 2,400 m² were poured daily, representing a volume of 415 m³ of concrete." 

Unlike the floors within the new distribution center, Van Berlo did design and construct the floors of the loading pits outside entirely in-house, complete with traditional reinforcement and concrete composition. "We also realized a collision reinforcement on the outside of the loading pit in the form of an AV beam," says Van Zon. "The realization of the floors - both inside and outside - was carried out in good consultation and good harmony with contractor Heerkens van Bavel Bouw. The pace was quite fast, but we never lost sight of both the planning and the quality. Ingram Micro is assured of a functional and durable floor that requires hardly any maintenance."