New cold storage facility for a growing company

For Müller Fresh Food Logistics, this year is all about growth. In late 2023, the Holten-based company was acquired by Germany's Dachser, paving the way to the European market. But the company need not fear outgrowing its premises. In fact, at the end of January, T2 Bouw B.V. delivered a new cold storage hall for Müller. Owner Olaf Sluyter of T2 Bouw B.V. talks about the project.

"We have been Müller's construction partner for all kinds of projects for 40 years," says Sluyter. "Whether it's a hall, office or workshop, we make sure it's delivered. We arrange everything from the designs to the permits and pricing, which must lead to the execution of the construction work. And we also take the management and maintenance component completely out of your hands. By working with the right partners as an architectural firm and building contractor, we manage to provide all that service. You have to have the same blood group, so to speak."

Appropriate plan

According to Sluyter, it was important that the building not look like a refrigerator from the outside. "Normally refrigerated warehouses quickly become a kind of closed hutch. We try to look at how we can still achieve a certain architectural quality on the outside. The building is located in the sight area, and the eye wants something too. It is a nice task to give a functional building an attractive appearance.
face."

Due to the size of the building, T2 Bouw B.V. had to take several factors into account. "We had to deal with grid congestion, which meant there was not enough power for a freezer hall. Therefore, in the meantime, that space will be used as a cold room. In addition, at 17 meters, the building is a lot higher than we have built so far. Then the snow load on the roof immediately becomes even more crucial. In addition, we had to go through a change in the zoning plan. By now we have quite a bit of experience in the construction of cold rooms and freezer rooms, but every job brings unique challenges."

No breeze

T2 Bouw B.V. was challenged not only on a construction level, but also on a logistical level. "In this case, we had to erect a large building on a site where in the meantime Müller's operations had to continue as usual. Outside the construction fences, the trucks kept moving and the logistics operations continued. Sometimes you then have to deal with intersecting interests and traffic. Occasionally even literally when it comes to trucks carrying construction equipment and personnel going back and forth. Still, it all went smoothly. I see that as a result of our decades of cooperation."

Customer first

"We always put our client's interests first, even if it means being creative ourselves. We like to be a smooth and relaxed partner. In the end, it is crucial that Müller's daily operations could continue. We came up with a way to build around that." Sluyter sees that as a logical investment. "If our client is doing well, then we are also doing well. We offer room to continue working, and therefore can do even more great projects. Hopefully, we have also shown Dachser what we are worth as a complete construction partner. In the future, we are happy to continue to convince both companies of our quality."