Business park Laarakker offers space for unlimited growth

On the A73 near Cuijk lies Bedrijvenpark Laarakker. A business park with a focus on the agrifood sector. The ideal location for companies with growth potential.  

The business park is home to new properties owned by major players in the food sector. Sales manager Leon Vromans mentions two examples of companies that exactly meet the reason why Laarakker was developed. "Danone Nutricia started more than 100 years ago on the outskirts of Cuijk. Since growth was not possible in the existing premises, they moved to a location across the road. Further development put the company in trouble. Expansion on site was no longer possible, but the option of building an entirely new, larger location at a distance of six kilometres was available". For Danone, this was an attractive option because employees could also relocate. The company now occupies more than eight hectares at Laarakker". 

According to Leon Vromans, Verbruggen Food Group was in a similar situation. This organisation once started in Mill (seven kilometres from Haps) and continued to grow; at several locations in Mill and by merging with other companies. A number of branches in Haps are now being merged and the company is committed to further development. The foundations of the new head office and distribution centre have been built. "We can also provide opportunities for other manufacturers or food companies that are outgrowing elsewhere in the country and want to build a new head office or an additional branch," adds the sales manager.  

Good accessibility

Good accessibility is one of the first wishes Leon hears from interested companies. Laarakker meets that wish well. The business park is located directly on the A73 motorway between Cuijk and Boxmeer and the new ring road (direction Uden). The junction, which has also been newly constructed, allows heavy goods traffic to flow through well. A railway line, Weeze airport and the container terminal in the port of Cuijk are a short distance away. Employees and business relations can reach the companies quickly and easily. Moreover, on the road to Laarakker, they can already see the buildings from afar. "It's a beautiful location," confirms Leon Vromans.   

Leon Vromans

Space for development

"As a business park, we want to offer companies a tailor-made solution," says Leon. " As the primary contact, I try to listen carefully to what the key issue is for them to make the transition. Space, accessibility and flexibility are important prerequisites. We think along with them. Laarakker visibly offers space for development to companies such as Danone and Verbruggen. Also for companies that once started in a garage or at home, later moved to a business centre or building in the neighbourhood and now want to invest in their own location, there is still enough space. Depending on the phase in which a company is located, we have plots available ranging from 2,000 m2 to 5,000 m2 in size, suitable for manufacturing, trade and distribution, and plots ranging from 5,000 m2 to six hectares in size for larger players with environmental category 4-5.2".

Sustainable cooperation

"The municipality of Cuijk is also moving with us and the companies", he continues. "We have a pleasant cooperation with this municipality. They understand what entrepreneurs need and see it as a challenge to provide this. By maintaining intensive contact with the municipality and the companies, we are able to respond quickly when it comes to obtaining permits, for example". In addition, Laarakker has its own park management organisation of which all the companies established in the park are members. This park management takes care of maintaining the quality of the terrain in the long term. Among other things, it manages and maintains the public space, provides signage, collective security and waste collection. 

Attractive hotspot

"Northeast Brabant has traditionally been the 'Agrifood Capital'," outlines Leon. "Laarakker is one of the 'hotspots' within it. Various parties from the surrounding area, from just over the Meuse River and far beyond, are interested in making the switch to this attractive environment. We don't rush decisions, these are sustainable investments. Quality takes precedence over quantity. I hereby make an immediate appeal: companies that want to grow and become part of 'Hotspot Laarakker' can apply to me. We still have two large plots of five to six hectares for sale and several smaller plots of 2,000 m2 or more. In addition, as of next year an additional 12 hectares will become available for growing businesses". 

www.laarakker.com