Optimally designed processes and short lines of communication

In the new company building - in an attractive high-visibility location along the A35 - it can align its business processes even better. 

Nijverdalse-based Eurol operates in oils and lubricants and does business in 88 countries. To build its new premises, it purchased a plot of about four hectares on XL Businesspark in Almelo. The new building consists of an ultramodern, fully automated high-rise warehouse for the storage of products and a low-rise building for their expedition.

Practical and fireproof

To design the building, Eurol approached Madmax Diesajn. Could Madmax Diesajn come up with the shell that wrapped tightly around the facilities, while in the interior the ideal routing was realized? "It was up to us to design the tools with which Eurol can do its work optimally," says Marcel Schuurman, architect at Madmax Diesajn. "And tools simply have the property of being practical. In addition, fire safety requirements had to be met, which are very high for the oil industry."

Optimal routing

First, Madmax Diesajn undertook the search for the best routing. "In this area, Eurol itself was the best advisor," Schuurman acknowledges. "With over 40 years of experience in the industry, it had excellent ideas about this." Thus, many puzzle pieces already fell into place during the discussions and processes everywhere could be optimized and walking and transport lines shortened. An additional aspect was the waterfront location, where crude oil is brought in by ship and transported via pipelines to the storage tanks.

A CO2 extinguishing gas system

To select the extinguishing system that could meet the high fire safety requirements, Madmax Diesajn examined several variants. Schuurman: "The total content of the high-rise warehouse was many times larger than the normally permitted fire compartments. So for a water extinguishing system, we would have to set up very many compartments, which would also disrupt the processes. With CO2 extinguishing, these disadvantages were eliminated. The CO2 mixes - after the fire is extinguished - with oxygen. That makes CO2 extinguishing environmentally friendly and beneficial for business continuity."

Field logistics

To also optimize logistics outside the building and ensure smooth use of the 14 loading docks, Madmax Diesajn opted for a single access and exit road. At the rear of the building, it set up a traffic circle where the trucks could turn. "This saved not only space, but also the establishment of a control area and weighbridge," says Diesajn.

But as efficient and practical as it was, Madmax Diesajn also found room for her aesthetic heart to beat. "We devoted that space to the colors of the façade panels. Separating the gray and blue in flowing lines - a reference to Eurol's product - still gave the building something distinctive."  

Construction Info

Client 
Eurol, Almelo

Architect 
Madmax Diesajn, Hellendoorn

Constructor 
Aveco De Bondt, Holten

Contractor 
Wilmink-Oosterveld, Borne

Installation Advice 
Two steps ahead, Hengelvelde

Installer 
De Groot Installation Group, Emmen