In the heart ofKnooppunt Ridderkerk at Rotterdam, where the A15 and the A16 lie in acomplicated knot, a new trading centre is being built: Nieuw Reijerwaard. Ithas been in the works since the integration plan was signed in 2012 by theDepute States of Zuid-Holland, but the building of company spaces is set andthe first handshakes have confirmed moves.
“It took a while,but the main thing is that, with the declaration of the State Council lastNovember, the arrival of Nieuw Reijerwaard is set,” says Lennart van der Linden,president of the Gemeenschappelijke Regeling Nieuw Reijerwaard (GRNR). The GRNRis a collaboration between the municipalities concerned, Rotterdam, Barendrechtand Ridderkerk. The organisation has been tasked with realising the 96 hectarecompany area and the infrastructure to go with it. “The company area will bethere. It can be built without fear. The decision is irrevocable,” ensuresLennart.
Right on time
“The buildingpermits can be requested, this procedure takes 8 to 12 weeks,” adds Christinevan Grunsven, director of the project. “Companies with concrete plans can enternow and we are happy with the ‘first mover’ Van Gelder.” The Ridderkerk companyindicated it had construction plans for the new company area in May. AlthoughVan Gelder’s announcement gives the construction project an impulse, thecompany isn’t alone. “There are signals that more companies are interested inthe short, medium and long term,” continues Lennart. “Some companies are reallyorientating themselves, other are taking a move into their strategic plans.”
“We are ready forthe new construction right on time,” says Christine. Where in the past theempty spaces at the Barendrecht trading centre were pointed out, there is noneof that now. “Kraaijeveld recently moved, the old building isn’t empty. We seecompanies using each others warehouses and nothing is empty. We are ready righton time.” The general economic indicators are also on green. The sentiment hasimproved,” adds Lennart. “In 2014 the market reached a low point, but 2015 wasa good year for many companies in Barendrecht. We see an economic revival, thefinance burden is low and new finance constructions are being used.”
Growing bigger
A year or two agomost companies with construction plans would still go to a bank for credit.Nowadays parties such as WDP do well, says Lennart. “WDP is more active in thesector. They see that it’s an interesting market and close long term rentcontracts in new buildings.” Besides investment companies like this coming intothe estate to realise projects, there will also be companies that bring theirown capital. “We have 96 hectares, so a lot of variation is possible.”
“We want to attractnew players, but we also want to give companies from Barendrecht theopportunity to expand and grow,” continues Lennart. The empty plots offeropportunities for companies that have grown over the course of the years tooptimise the current company in a new location. “With new buildings companiescan reorganise the flows within the building and work more efficiently,”Christine adds. “Using a better organisation of the streams can save a lot.”
Newcomers
“We also see that new companies like to start in an existing building and to grow from there.”There is therefore no fear that Nieuw Reijerwaard will lead to emptiness inBarendrecht-Ridderkerk. They are also looking more widely than the fruit andvegetable trade. The company estate is being promoted as Agro Vers Food, whichmeans companies are being attracted from other sectors. A supermarket DC forinstance, or a company that is active in the new sectors, such as meal boxes andconvenience; two growing markets. “The estate is close to the Rotterdam portand there are various large importers in a radius of a kilometre. This meanssuppliers are just around the corner,” says Lennart. Space also has to be made forservice suppliers on the new estate: logistical parties, automation companies,they all have to be able to find a place in Nieuw Reijerswaard.
“We want tofacilitate companies and place as few limitations as possible,” explainsChristine. They can build up to 30 metres high on the estate, and a goodinfrastructure will also be laid out. Besides the tarmac roads and theconnection to the highways, there isalso budget for sustainable energy.
Vistas and sky high ambitions
“The plan is toderive energy for the companies from windmills. We also want to think about theuse of solar panels on the roofs,” according to Christine. Sustainable energyis to turn the cooling motors, but their ambition goes further. “Companies haveto be able to share energy amongst themselves to catch peaks,” adds Lennart.“If the companies don’t just generate energy for themselves, but also forothers, it gets interesting.”
Shovel in the earth
The new tradingcentre isn’t meant to function as a competitor next door toBarendrecht-Ridderkerk. “We want to make one cluster that functions as a whole.”The bottle-necks that exist at the existing trading estate are to be banishedat Nieuw Reijerwaard. As an example Lennart mentions the “traffic manoeuvres”that sometimes take place on the Handelsweg. “The idea that those manoeuvrestake place on the company’s areas and no longer on public roads.”
The plan is ready.The plots are there. What else do we need?” Asks Christine out loud. “The base is sorted and, as an organisation, we can help companies when requestinglicenses, but the municipality of Ridderkerk promised a smooth process.” Overthe next ten years the 96 hectares of empty land is to be transformed into amodern company estate. It’s only a matter of time before the first shovel is thrustinto the earth. (RM)