Building distribution centers and factories at Champions League level

From the mechanized distribution center for bol.com in Waalwijk to Hessing Supervers' most sustainable Vegetable Fresh Factory at Greenport Venlo and the new distribution center for PLUS in Oss, Bouwbedrijf van de Ven builds distribution centers and factories at Champions League level. "As a traditional Brabant family business, we have been a trusted and valued partner in logistics real estate for years," says deputy director Frank Smits. "We also excel in mechanized warehouses, working intensively and constructively with the building user and system integrators. We like to use our knowledge and experience to provide early insight into processes and requirements. On this basis, the right provisions can be made immediately. For this reason, our project managers are also involved right from the calculation phase." A tour of some telling reference projects.

Bol.com distribution center

The mechanized distribution cen-trum for bol.com in Waalwijk is special, meeting the highest standard for sustainability and working conditions. Both during design and construction, optimal daylighting, minimal environmental impact and short walking distances were key considerations. 'New building BFC2' is linked to bol.com's existing fulfillment center (BFC1) from 2017, expanding the total complex from 50,000 to 100,000 m². Bouwbedrijf van de Ven was awarded both the construction work, site design and installation techniques. In addition, the Veghel-based contractor coordinated all of bol.com's subcontractors, who, for example, handled the assembly of conveyor belts and (mechanical) warehouse equipment. 

"The choice for Bouwbedrijf van de Ven was a logical one," says Rick Kromwijk, project manager of BFC2. "Not only because of their extensive experience in building (mechanized) distribution centers, but also because of their professional and flexible attitude. Building a complex project like BFC2, in which construction and mechanization must form one whole, combined with the very short timelines requires a contractor who proactively thinks along in solutions. Bouwbedrijf van de Ven absolutely does this. We are particularly enthusiastic about the no-nonsense mentality, where the contractor does what he says."

Vegetable Fresh Factory Hessing Supervers

At Greenport Venlo, Bouwbedrijf van de Ven has realized Europe's most sustainable Vegetable Fresh Factory for Hessing Supervers. "In addition to a Technical Service building, this project includes a state-of-the-art factory of approximately 65,000 m² GFA with 46,000 m² of first floor area, 17,500 m² of storey floors and some 45,000 m² of walkable sandwich panel ceilings above which all technology is concealed," Smits said. "In March 2021, we signed the construction agreement. Just two weeks later we started construction and in May 2022 the first rooms were delivered to ABB, which was responsible for the process machinery and automation."

Typical of this project is the intensive cooperation and coordination with Hessing. "We started this project from an architectural design and Program of Requirements. Additional technical details were to follow, but in practice this proved difficult. Therefore, during construction and in a construction team with Hessing, we largely developed the installation technology ourselves. Quite a challenge, since the structural work had already started at that time. Facilities such as pipe trenches and ravelings had to be made even before the design was ready. And also in the finishing phase we had to be very short on time, so flexible solutions were chosen wherever possible."

PLUS distribution center

On Vorstengrafdonk industrial area in Oss, Bouwbedrijf van de Ven built a distribution center of over 46,000 m² for PLUS, with approximately 6,100 m² of office and common areas, 92 loading and unloading doors and a production capacity of 400,000 packages per day. From the design phase, a pleasant working environment was paramount. Therefore, physically demanding processes have been mechanized, daylight flows in everywhere and noise is kept to a minimum. And sustainability also received a lot of attention, Smits says. "Construction started in June 2020. Just one year later, the DC had to be structurally and installation-wise ready, so the company Witron could start delivering and installing the warehouse racks and mechanical installation including cranes, conveyor belts, elevators, robots, et cetera. In the months that followed, we assembled the last installation-technical parts. From electrical lines to light lines and sprinkler lines. In addition, we completed a few more structural pits, in which Witron could mount its cranes."