This summer, De Boer Structures organized an expert meeting in the Miele Expercience Center in Vianen. Conversation topic: ‘Growth opportunities of logistic hotspots’. Property developers, logistic analysts and construction companies answered the following question: ‘how can flexible, semi-permanent buildings be a growth stimulator for business?’. Thijs Adrichem, account manager Business Solutions, held a keynote speech about the range of opportunities that De Boer offers when it comes to challenges in commercial and office premises.
Arie Schipper is manager Area Development at Greenport Venlo. He mentions the huge investments that are made to maintain Venlo’s prominent position as a logistic hub. In particular start-ups that are successful and want to expand attach great value to flexible solutions. In this situation, the versatile De Boer Delta structure can offer a solution. Delta is the most flexible product that can be used for a wide range of construction-related issues. Delta can be build and be deconstructed in a limited time frame and - thanks to a modular system - can be adjusted to the users wishes and demands. “The permitting process can be shortened and be more flexible thanks to the semi-permanent use and the related area building permit.”
Cees Brinkman from Ontwikkelingsbedrijf Noord-Holland Noord is strongly involved in the ‘entrepreneurs desk’. “Commercial premises and financing are our core business. Our ambitions are to be as efficient as possible with the available space. In short, ‘we want to facilitate companies in the best way possible’. Although the use of existing space has the highest priority, meeting the wishes of attracted companies is at least as important. That is why flexible solutions for office and commercial premises are very important for all parties involved.”
Rapidly changing market conditions
Willem Drost, Enterprise Solutions, adds some insights concerning the ever shorter economic life of commercial property. This is one of the reasons for higher vacancy rates in industrial and commercial property. Expanding companies are often not able to seize growth opportunities. Furthermore, continuously changing market conditions make it more difficult to determine the needs of users and the most suitable location for commercial, industrial and office buildings in the long term. Flexible semi-permanent commercial and office buildings can play a role here, because they are financially more attractive, building permits are issued quicker and more easily and risks are mitigated.
Additionally, experts state that bank financing is often very hard to obtain and the sale of commercial property is a bottleneck in many cases. According to Cees Brinkman, the investor determines which financing option is economically viable. ”He needs to make a living from the building that will be constructed.” Willem Drost adds a critical note: “Building for vacancy is not the intention in many cases. Nevertheless, in practice we see that many relatively recently built offices are vacant and it is very hard to find a new destination for these buildings.”
In brief, the participating experts conclude that the location and ‘best fitting’ commercial property is crucial for entrepreneurs and all parties involved, like real estate companies, provinces, municipalities and suppliers such as De Boer Structures, should collaborate to create flexible and sustainable solutions. Providing the optimal facilitation to enterprises makes a positive contribution to the set-up or development of a company and region.
