On Tuesday, 17 September, Bakker Barendrecht sunk the first pile of its new distribution center. This Dutch fruit and vegetable company's new center will be at Dutch Fresh Port in Ridderkerk. The more than 30,000m² DC will be ready in mid-2020. This increases the company's existing capacity.
This expansion fits in with its current and future growth. Bakker Barendrecht is one of the largest fruit and vegetable companies in the Netherlands. The new location will mainly be used to implement new distribution and packaging ideas.
Bakker Barendrecht's employees sink the first pile of the new distribution center. It is located at Dutch Fresh Port in Ridderkerk, the Netherlands. Photo credit: Menno Ridderhof
Maarten van Hamburg, General Manager at Bakker Barendrecht, says, "This new location allows us to keep supplying the best quality fruit and vegetables to our strategic partners. We want to do so now and in the future. Our partners are Albert Heijn and Koninklijke Vezet."
"It enables us to further improve our warehousing and packing processes. This improvement is thanks to new logistical technology. We can also provide our employees with a healthy, pleasant working environment. "
Bakker Barendrecht is part of Greenyard. They have had a strategic partnership with the Dutch supermarket chain, Albert Heijn, for close on 60 years. Together with a tight-knit, sustainable fixed growers network. Albert Heijn's Fresh Director, Constantijn Ninck Blok, says, "We fill about 5 million plates every day. We want to be the supermarket that helps its customers lead a healthy lifestyle."
"We do so with, among other things, a wide assortment of fruit and vegetables. We also have easy-to-prepare fresh packs. We believe eating fresh products contributes to a better life for everyone. We are opening three 'Echt Vers' stores per week. This development at Bakker Barendrecht will help us stay ahead in that mission."
Sustainable build
The distribution center will be classified as BREEAM EXCELLENT. That means steps have been taken to significantly reduce water and energy consumption. CO2 emissions will be lowered, and specific building materials are being used. These materials contribute to the reuse of demolition material. The whole building - all 30,000 m² of it - will also be fitted with solar panels.
Somerset Capital Partners is developing the site. The Vrolijk construction company will do the build. Frank Kersten is a partner at Somerset Capital Partners. He emphasizes the new distribution center's high-tech and sustainable character.
He says, "We are delighted to be able to realize this ultramodern distribution center. With it, we can help accommodate Bakker Barendrecht current and future expansion, as well as its clients."
Nieuw Reijerwaard, part of Dutch Fresh Port
The distribution center is being constructed on Nieuw Reijerwaard. Nieuw Reijerwaard and is part of the Dutch Fresh Port. Dutch Fresh Port is the largest specialized agri-and-food cluster in the Netherlands. Three business parks in the areas of Barendrecht and Ridderkerk joined forces to achieve this.
Tanja de Jonge is the chairperson of the Gemeenschappelijke Regeling Nieuw Reijerwaard. This organization was set up to actualize this new business park. She says, ‘We are thrilled that Bakker Barendrecht chose Dutch Fresh Port. We offer businesses the room to grow.
"These companies generally take innovation, smart partnerships, and sustainable business practices as a given. We want to become the most sustainable business park in the Netherlands. Bakker Barendrecht's goals contribute nicely to this ambition."