The first pile marks the first phase in the construction of a new company building that will ultimately bring all functions together under one roof: factory halls, storage, offices, service and showroom. Quooker has chosen to remain in the Ridderkerk area, with its strong connection to employees playing an important role in this decision. Nieuw Reijerwaard offers the optimal conditions to continue developing and producing innovative, high-quality products.
The Quooker tap is the world’s very first boiling water tap. It was invented in Rotterdam in 1970. Since 1990, production has taken place on Staalstraat in Ridderkerk, not far from the basement in Rotterdam where Quooker was first invented. Due to strong (inter)national success—Quooker is now active in fifteen countries—our company quickly outgrew its facilities. We had to rent a distribution center in Rotterdam’s Heijplaat area to store inventory. With the new logistics center on a plot of over 9 hectares, we will have ample space to accommodate future growth in multiple phases in an optimal and compact way.
A site designed for growth The new building is being constructed at the Nieuw Reijerwaard business park, on the border between Ridderkerk and Barendrecht. We purchased the site with future growth in mind and will initially develop only a quarter of it. Expansion will take place in several subsequent phases. Keeping development, service, sales and production facilities together creates the best environment for innovation and high quality. It also ensures a pleasant working environment where everyone feels connected.
The ambition to build energy-neutral, climate-adaptive and nature-inclusive has guided the design of the building. The choice to invest in aesthetics is rooted in sustainability. A compact structure has been selected, featuring a base façade made of hemp lime and abundant greenery in, on and around the building. This benefits plants and animals, but above all the health of the hundreds of people who work at Quooker every day.
Design of the building For the development of the new facility, we are working with construction company Cordeel Nederland and Swisslog Warehouse Automation. The design team also includes architectural firm Group A, studio INA MATT, De Urbanisten, WSP for structural engineering, A. de Jong Group for building services engineering, and several other advisors.
Together, we have developed a long-term vision for a compact building (three industrial floors) with a clear silhouette and an inviting entrance, designed internally as a dynamic work landscape. The core of the building for future phases will be green: an atrium with living plants and trees will create a pleasant indoor climate and strong connections between departments. The building will also feature a large rooftop garden for employees to enjoy.
The logistics building of the first phase is located along the Verbindingsweg. The entrance to the logistics courtyard will be at Bieslookweg 90. Phase 1 consists of a fully automated high-bay warehouse, 30 meters high, at the heart of the building, with various logistics functions across two levels. It will cover over 23,000 m² and have storage capacity for more than 35,000 euro pallets.
Efficient use of water and energy Just as “the tap that does it all” is efficient with water and energy, so is the new company building. Water buffers on the roof and around the building will capture rainwater and make it reusable for irrigating plants and trees as well as flushing toilets. This reduces strain on the sewer system and significantly lowers the use of drinking water.
In addition to installing many solar panels on the roofs, a deep geothermal pump will be installed at a depth of more than 200 meters to provide energy. The stored heat and cold will allow Quooker to heat the building in winter and cool it in summer. This is a costly technology through which Quooker is investing in a sustainable future.
The logistics center as the first step The new facility will be developed in stages. On May 13, construction begins with the first pile for Quooker Logistics. Quooker will move into the building in early 2026. After that—depending on the growth of international sales—factory halls and all other functions will follow in phases. The quality and high level of flexibility in the design ensure that the building is expected to last at least fifty to one hundred years.
Published on 14-05-2024
