Rooftop greenhouse at new logistics centre REO-Veiling (Agricultural Auction Market)

For years, REO Veiling (Agricultural Auction Market) has been busy with the Vuylsteke site. In 2008 it was still a derelict part of a metal company next to the auction with heavy chemical pollution in the soil. In 2010, REO Veiling purchased the site; during the last years it has been demolished and soil remediation has been realised to a large extent. "Due to the redevelopment and demolition obligation, we had time to think about how we could integrate the site into the working of REO Veiling and to optimise our logistics to product and buyer. We also wanted to integrate the site into the wider urban complex of the middle of West Flanders. For this, we hired the architectural agency ARTE. Together we looked at future possibilities. Everything that had to do with packaging and logistics had to be bundled under one roof. Hence, a new logistics department spanning 1 hectare is currently being built and will be ready to use at the end of the summer. It will be a centre for reusable and disposable containers for the Flemish and Northern French regions," says REO Veiling general manager, Paul Demyttenaere.

Future oriented horticulture
Paul says that West Flanders is a greenhouse region with a future. "The province of West Flanders and Inagro are building a greenhouse research centre on the roof of the new warehouse of REO Veiling. Both partners consider it important to do more with the limited space in Flanders. Logistics and industry should dare to be more creative in their use of space. That is why through REO Veiling we started negotiating with Inagro. They were planning on investing in a new research complex for greenhouses. As a greenhouse research centre, it is important to grow with the production in the province. Hence the need to guide the production of greenhouse vegetables toward the future. This private-public partnership aims toward future oriented horticulture.

He continues: "In addition, greenhouses provide increased efficiency for space and energy use. There are also a lot of social opportunities. Soil is scarce in Flanders, and therefore, it is used in various ways. We are for professional urban horticulture and are making space for an accommodation for the European greenhouse research of tomorrow. It will be a European logistics and green hub with a greenhouse complex." Paul considers this a perfect example of professional urban horticulture. "We are talking about 1 hectare, and it is a wonderful way to give an industrial complex a nice appearance. You have to dare to take such a step."

Seeing that Inagro is a member of REO Veiling, in the future Paul also expects to see production from the new research centre in the auction halls. The short conglomerate by which the REO Veiling always stands behind.

For more information:
Paul Demyttenaere
REO Veiling
Oostnieuwkerksesteenweg 101
B-8800 Roeselare
Tel: +32-51231206
Fax: +32-51231289
www.reo.be
info@reo.be