'Different processes intertwine'

Process optimization at new coldstore distribution center construction

Consulting and engineering firm WSP gave main contractor Cordeel construction advice for the construction of Maersk's new coldstore distribution center on the Maasvlakte.

WSP is a consulting firm in various fields. The company operates worldwide with 67,000 employees, of which more than 450 are in the Netherlands. Project manager Bas van Ooijen: "Our Dutch branch originated from three other companies and the corporate culture of those companies is still in our DNA. We are mainly concerned with constructive advice. Knowledge is paramount here. For example, we have established 'Professional Area Networks (PANs): environments where knowledge carriers sit together. Because we are an international company, we know where to find that knowledge everywhere. In this way we are expanding more and more, also within the Netherlands. Recently we took on a team of installation consultants, within the built environment team. This allows us to offer clients integrality."

WSP has collaborated with Cordeel before. For example, both companies previously completed a bulk warehouse in the same area. "Cordeel is in my opinion a good industry contractor and very resourceful in improving processes."

Phased construction

For Maersk's new coldstore distribution center, Cordeel made use of one of WSP's disciplines: coordinating construction advice. The company converted the final design into a technical design and an execution-ready design. "We were positively surprised by Arcadis' work. They made a conclusive product for the final design. Of course, this still had to be optimized before we could convert it to the technical design. We started rigging models and making the pile plans. Once the first piles went into the ground, more and more processes intertwined. It is a large building, which was built in phases. The first part of the project was already ready for execution, while for other parts the pile plans still had to be made," says Van Ooijen.

WSP Netherlands did a quick scan of the pieces that were already there, from Arcadis' design and suggested some optimizations. "From this we extracted a number of quick wins. For example, we optimized the façade styles and re-calculated the trusses to make it more efficient. Then we re-calculated everything so that the steel builder could graft his calculation onto the overall calculation." Usually, WSP offers more disciplines on projects, on this project only one. "What makes this project special for us anyway is that you work it out with an established relationship. Together we put up a building that the client is very happy with."