The greenest sorting center in the Netherlands

Building with delayed deliveries and unexpected price increases

DHL Parcel is building a new sorting center at Distripark business park in Dordrecht. In the sustainable business hall, parcels arrive in large quantities. When they leave the hall again on the other side, they are sorted and ready for transport by truck to their destination. During construction, Hercuton faces special challenges.

The plot for DHL Parcel's new sorting center in Dordrecht provides space for a sorting center of some 17,000 m2 including 1,370 m2 of indoor office space spread over two building levels and 78 docks. The building has a concrete supporting structure with wooden rafters and steel roofing sheets. These materials provide a pleasant working environment for employees in the sorting center. A walkway connects the parking lot to the sorting center so that employees and trucks do not cross each other. From that walkway, there is a nice view of the Dordtse Kil River. 

Tight LEAN planning

Hercuton began construction in April 2021, and a year later the building was completed. In December, Hercuton provided early access so that DHL Parcel could begin building the sorting facility. To make this happen, Hercuton created a LEAN planning with all parties involved, which everyone strictly followed. 

Price increases and delayed delivery times

Unfortunately, factors outside Hercuton's sphere of influence also played a role. "In the current market, we are facing significant price increases and increasing delivery times. Our organization dealt with this adequately so that it did not affect the progress of the construction. We had to pull out all the stops, but we succeeded in having the construction go according to plan," says Ruud van Haaften, foreman at Hercuton.

BREEAM 'Outstanding'

Construction was carried out to the highest sustainability standard, BREEAM 'Outstanding'. By now, this is more the rule than the exception for Hercuton. "We know that we then have to collect points in all areas from the very first moment," Van Haaften explains. "That has to do with site layout, waste handling and traffic movements, but also with energy sources and material choices. 4,600 solar panels will be installed on the roof of DHL Parcel, which will soon provide the energy to keep the entire sorting center running."

Building Quality Assurance Act

On the construction process, Hercuton also applied the Building Quality Assurance Act, even though it is not yet in force. Louis van de Klok, commercial manager at Hercuton: "In this we are ahead of the troops. In fact, we have already delivered 26 projects according to this law. With two independent agencies, specialized in quality control of designs, construction processes and materials, our quality is guaranteed at all times. Because the law is still evolving, we also anticipate changes in it." 

With completion just around the corner - including fencing, planting and paving - Van de Klok and Van Haaften already dare to speak of a successful project. "We had to work hard from time to time, but in the end everything went according to schedule. The great thing is that our involvement doesn't stop after construction. We are also ready for DHL for management, maintenance and any renovations."