With a new strategy and corporate identity come matching facilities. With this in mind, REO has decided to renew its supply shed by the end of 2026, after 35 years of loyal service. A new main building is also planned for 2029. "It was high time, and if you're going to do it, you'd better do it thoroughly right away," explains REO general manager Filip Vanaken. "This step aligns with our strategy and will strengthen our position for the future."
© REO
"REO's supply shed and main building, built in 1990–1991, have been the backbone of our operations for many years," he explains. "Both buildings have proven their worth, but the wear and tear of time is becoming increasingly apparent. As part of our new strategy, several factors made it clear that we needed to thoroughly adapt our infrastructure. The buildings are ageing, space is becoming limited, and the needs of today and tomorrow demand a more forward-looking approach."
Supply, inspection, and logistics linked
The first focus will be on the supply shed. "Our cold stores have simply become too old. They have served us well for many years, and we've added extra refrigeration units over time, but most of them are now at the end of their lifespan. We regularly face technical issues, such as burst pipes or other malfunctions. These not only cause delays but also pose risks we can no longer afford to take."
"We have three main sales days: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Products arrive shortly beforehand, and our cold stores ensure the cold chain remains intact. It's essential that this process is reliable. That's why we decided to completely modernise the warehouse. The new plan links supply, inspection, and logistics in a smarter way, so the entire operation works seamlessly together."
"And when undertaking such a major renovation, it makes sense to think about the future right away," Filip continues. "For instance, we expect that in the near future, vehicles with combustion engines will no longer be allowed to drive into buildings where fresh produce is stored or processed. We've already taken this into account in the new design: everything is being built to meet this new reality. The entire project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026."
© REO
Main building
Alongside the supply shed, a new main building is also planned for 2029. "We realised that our main building has actually become too small. There's still some space left, but many of those rooms don't have access to daylight, which is a requirement in a modern workplace today. The building is also 35 years old, and that shows in many ways. If you want to create a contemporary workspace with proper lighting, digital screens, and communication tools, you quickly run into limitations. On top of that, our commercial department is currently located on the other side of the warehouse, about 400 metres from the auction room. That doesn't make for efficient collaboration. And our auction hall, the beating heart of the cooperative, is in urgent need of renovation. So we decided to tackle everything at once: both the shed and the main building."
"It's a major investment, but doing it in phases makes little sense. An investment like this is amortised over many years, and if we waited, we'd face double costs in 20 years. That's why we decided to go ahead now. Moreover, with this renovation, we want to make it clear that our company is truly renewing itself. This will be felt in our operations and visible from the outside, with our new identity, updated logo, and a fresh appearance."
For more information:
REO
Oostnieuwkerksesteenweg 101
Belgium - 8800 Roeselare
Tel +32 (0) 51 23 12 11
[email protected]
www.reo.be
