Hypermodern distribution center is the focal point of the business park

The basic design was the work of Arcadis and was further optimized by ASK Romein Bouw of Roosendaal, which also took on the entire coordination of all side contractors. The construction company's expertise proved to be a clear added value in bringing the realization of this hub to a successful conclusion.

Anyone who regularly drives along the A12 between Gouda and The Hague has certainly already seen Hoogvliet's new distribution center in the Prisma industrial park. After all, you can't look past this eye-catcher. This new hub in Bleiswijk is a strategically important move for the supermarket chain to be and remain the most attractive omni-channel supermarket within its market segment. To do so, distribution and logistics costs must be kept to an absolute minimum. This distribution center therefore supports logistics for dry groceries, fresh fruits and vegetables and frozen foods. They are automatically processed and packed for subsequent delivery to Hoogvliet's approximately 70 supermarkets.

"This project is unique in the Netherlands because it brings together all facilities under one roof: from freezer and cold stores to butchery, bakery and offices. Thanks to the far-reaching mechanization and automation, the logistics process is incredibly efficient and ultramodern," says general manager Marcel Michielsen of ASK Romein Bouw. "Arcadis was in charge of the basic design and in early 2018 we were selected as the main contractor for construction. We first further optimized the design, after which construction work started. We were also in charge of coordinating the subsidiary contractors. In April 2020, the supermarket chain was able to move into its new distribution center."

All in-house

Hoogvliet's new hub has a total area of 72,000 m² and can be expanded by another 10,000 m². The steel construction is light and efficient and the building is finished with a 3-meter concrete plinth and sandwich panels above. The DC was built using the latest techniques and environmentally conscious and energy-saving building materials were used as much as possible. Energy-efficient installations and cooling techniques were chosen, a heat-cold storage system in the ground, solar panels on the roof and a gray-water circuit. Thus, this building meets BREEAM certification Outstanding*****.

"As a total builder, one of the things we specialize in is the realization of such distribution centers. We have all the expertise for this in-house, with our own project teams for sales, calculation, engineering, production and execution. We therefore work on projects from A to Z, from design to turnkey solution," Michielsen concludes. "By carrying out a project entirely in-house, the construction process is much more efficient, which only benefits our clients. The knowledge is there, the lines are short and we can switch very quickly."