'A work of art is being done here'

Flexible logistics company building with optimal utilization options

R&M Forwarding's new logistics company building is rising in Ridderkerk. Construction company Aan de Stegge Twello is the main contractor for the project. The building is being built at Nieuw Reijerwaard business park, which is entirely focused on agro, vegetables and fruit.

"The location appealed to our client," says Evert Veerman, commercial project manager at Aan de Stegge Twello. "She also wanted to be able to expand and immediately improve the quality of her accommodation to serve customers and the market even better." The building will house storage and transshipment of fresh products. That is why there will be a spacious, deep shipping area with as many docks as possible. Behind it will be the flexible cooling units. Veerman: "There will be different zones, the temperature of which can be set and adjusted separately. For example, 4°C one day for the storage of certain products and 0°C the next day for other fruits. That listens very closely."

Flexible

Not only the cold stores, but also the office spaces can be used flexibly. R&M Forwarding will of course house itself here, but also offers customers to establish themselves here. Veerman: "As the development process progressed, new disciplines were added for R&M. For example, we provided the shipping area with a mezzanine floor, so that it can also be used for packing and repacking work. Because work has to be done on this floor, we also had to take into account additional facilities, ventilation and a pleasant climate for the employees."

Phase 1 and 2

Construction of the building began in the third quarter of 2021. By May 2022, it will be nearly completed. Veerman: "Phase 1 is now standing, but we immediately proceeded with phase 2: the expansion. The contours of this building are now standing and we are almost wind and watertight." The added value of Aan de Stegge Twello in this project is the follow-through, knowledge of the sector and thinking along with the client. "We try to speak the language of the entrepreneurs and can translate their wishes into a design, the technology and the Program of Requirements. We have carried out projects in this industry before and often work with well-known construction partners. So the market is not unknown territory for us."

Intensive preliminary process

Cooperation with the client was satisfactory. "R&M Forwarding is a great company. It is a pleasure to work with the guys from R&M," Veerman believes. "This project had a very intensive preliminary process. The parties have been very flexible, which also made it possible to further expand the project in terms of surface area, functionality and quality during construction. A piece of art is being done here in good harmony."

There were really no setbacks, Veerman points out. "The only obstacle I can think of with this project is that sometimes there were some problems with the delivery of materials and with the planning. That requires a lot of creativity. For example, by bringing forward work that could take place." 

Construction Info

Client
R&M Forwarding

Architect
Architects_Lab

Main contractor
Aan de Stegge Twello

Construction Partners
Van Kempen Koudetechniek, Barth Installatietechniek and Kollen groundworks

Fire Safety
Unica Fire Safety

Project info

Future-proof refrigeration plant with waste heat utilization
Van Kempen Koudetechniek is responsible for the refrigeration system with waste heat utilization at R&M Forwarding's new building. "This system functions with natural refrigerants and is future-proof," says Van Kempen.

Van Kempen Koudetechniek is 75 years old this year and has been part of the Unica Group for a year, says account manager Marcel Denecke. "We distinguish ourselves through our extensive knowledge of technology and the products to be conditioned. We focus on long-term partnerships and are no box-shufflers. In addition, we have our own automation system, which allows us to manage the installations, also remotely." So after the installation of the system, Van Kempen Koudetechniek also takes on the management. "This way we can guarantee the operational reliability of the installation and it continues to meet the legal requirements."

Van Kempen Koudetechniek has worked for R&M in the past, and for this new construction project the installer advised on the system and the layout of the cold rooms, among other things. "In the end, this is how we arrived at the most efficient solution. In this project we are using a system with natural refrigerants: an NH₃/CO2 cascade system. This sustainable solution is environmentally friendly and future-proof. It allows the cold rooms to be cooled from -1°C to +12°C. The residual heat is used to heat a drying cell, among other things. In this way, as little energy as possible is lost. We are proud to realize this beautiful installation for R&M Forwarding."

3,000 sprinkler heads provide fire safety in R&M building
Unica Fire Safety works with some two hundred employees on the installation and maintenance of fire safety solutions in buildings. The company was also called in for the new building of R&M Forwarding in Ridderkerk.

"For this project we are making the complete sprinkler, fire alarm and evacuation system. We are in the middle of it now; the final delivery is scheduled for week 24," said project leader Peter Visser of Unica Fire Safety. "We make the prefab of the sprinkler installation in advance at our facility in Hoevelaken. The prefab and associated assembly materials will be delivered to the construction site exactly on time."

The work is going well, although it is certainly not an average job. Visser: "Usually we attach the sprinklers to the roof of a hall, for example. Because cold stores are still being installed here, that is not possible in this section. Therefore, we first mount a basic installation at a lower height. Once the cold stores are installed, we can finish mounting the sprinklers in the ceiling."

It is a huge project. To give you an idea: in the cold rooms there will be a thousand sprinkler heads. Another sixteen hundred in the halls and shipping area and finally another four hundred in the offices. Six people from Unica Fire Safety are now working on the construction site every day. The company was involved in the project from the beginning. "We work together with Van der Stegge Twello more often, and we like that very much," he says.