'Working conditions and perception are important'

Sustainable distribution center for PLUS Supermarkets

Under the name HBC, HVBM Vastgoed and Bruil Bouw Groep are realizing the new fresh distribution center of PLUS Supermarkets on A1 Bedrijvenpark in Deventer. From this new building, the PLUS and Coop stores will be supplied with fresh products in the future. The distribution center is expected to be completed in early 2024.

Adriaan Molenschot, general director of developer HVBM Vastgoed: "It has been almost two years since we concluded the intention to develop a new distribution center with then Coop. Our cooperation partner Bruil had owned quite a bit of land on the new business park A1 West for years. Bruil and we already knew each other from a previous successful collaboration, and in addition to joint financial clout, HVBM has the knowledge and know-how of developing logistics buildings. The plans were delayed by the merger with PLUS. In the new supply chain of the merger organization, the building was given a different function. Now 22,000 m2 of non-refrigerated storage, 38,000 m2 of refrigerated storage and a canopy for
outdoor storage realized."

HVBM is a build-to-suit developer and always develops its buildings for and with users. "We invest ourselves and create multifunctional buildings in good locations for healthy tenants. This creates the right investment product."

BREEAM 'Excellent'

Sustainability requirements played an important role in the development of the new distribution center. The building and surrounding site were designed to be circular and nature-inclusive. The design achieved the BREEAM 'Excellent' design certificate based on the new 2020 BREEAM guidelines. "Last October, the first pile could go into the ground and a total of a thousand piles went in," says project manager René Geurden. "The building is built from a steel structure of circular steel with trusses. The exterior facade will feature a concrete plinth varying in height, with horizontal and vertical sandwich panels above." Some 14,500 solar panels will be installed on the roof, generating nearly 9 megawatts of electricity. This is more than the distribution center typically uses. Therefore, they are considering installing batteries to store the generated power and use it during nighttime hours, for example. 

Circular

From the municipality of Deventer, there was a requirement to build the building in a circular way. As many parts as possible are therefore easy to dismantle and rebuild elsewhere. And flora and fauna have also been considered. There will be a green sound barrier and the lighting will take into account the bats in the area.

On schedule

The project is going according to plan. Molenschot: "In the corona crisis we had to look creatively at certain processes, but with this project there was hardly any shortage of materials left. It was still uncertain whether certain steel profiles would be delivered on time, but we succeeded. Unfortunately, we did have to buy at an unfavorable time: when everything became more expensive due to the energy crisis and the situation in Ukraine."

Staff welfare was another key issue in the development of the new building. Geurden: "There will be a two-level parking garage next to the building. In addition, the architect paid extra attention to the entry of daylight in the canteen, to which a beautiful outdoor terrace will be constructed. Daylight will even enter the refrigerated warehouses. To attract and retain good staff, working conditions and experience are very important."

The two are proud of the result. "Usually we develop properties of 30,000 to 40,000 m2, so this is quite a large project. In addition, we are working with the third largest supermarket chain in the Netherlands in a prominent location," Molenschot said. Geurden is very pleased with the cooperation with the other parties on this project. "The cooperation with Bruil and with the other side and subcontractors is very pleasant," he said.