Renovating or building conditioned spaces with K.I.M.

Almost nowhere is the need for hygiene as great as in the food industry. Moreover, temperatures, oxygen levels, CO₂ levels and humidity conditions must be perfectly balanced to ensure product quality and a long shelf life. 

Koel Isolatie Maatschappij (K.I.M.) Nederland is a specialist in the realization of cold stores and production areas for companies in the pharmaceutical, healthcare, distribution and transport and food industries. "For over half a century, we have specialized in the new construction, conversion, renovation and expansion of conditioned spaces, exactly in accordance with BRC(GS), IFS and HACCP guidelines," says sales manager Gerard Scherff. "Both in the Netherlands and abroad, taking all the work off our clients' hands. From advice to (3D/BIM) drawing work, delivery and assembly. We build our projects as if we were building for ourselves, and have a constant eye and ear for customer wishes and ambitions. We consider it a challenge to work out a tailor-made solution in combination with preconditions such as building location, function and standard requirements. No job is too big or too complex. Because we purchase our products exclusively from reputable suppliers, clients are assured of the best performance in sustainability, airtightness, (fire) safety and (food) hygiene." 

Foodsafe finishing

To monitor food quality and food safety, companies in the food industry must work in accordance with BRC(GS), IFS and HACCP guidelines, Scherff knows. "An important pillar here is hygiene. All surfaces in cold and freezer rooms, production and processing areas must be easy to clean and disinfect. Joints, seams and edges in or upon which dust, dirt and/or moisture can accumulate are out of the question. K.I.M. Nederland accommodates this with an extensive range of ceiling and wall panels and a complete door program, all of which are completely foodsafe."

Intensive cleaning

"Both our sandwich panels and doors are provided with high-quality and food-safe coatings suitable for daily intensive cleaning," Scherff said. "Our doors also guarantee a sophisticated diffusion tightness, so that undesirable air and moisture flows and energy losses are not an issue." The fact that this approach repeatedly leads to beautiful projects is proven by K.I.M. Nederland's impressive portfolio. In this article, we highlight four projects for you.

From left to right: Diederik van Spronsen, Hans Swartjes, Marc Wessels, Marcel Vuurboom, Bart Baak and Klaas de Boer

The Urker Zalmhuys

The impressive reference tour begins on Urk, the most important municipality in Dutch fish processing. "Under no less than 95% of the cold-storage and freezer houses and processing areas in Urk where fish is stocked, inspected, processed, stored and released, there is now the signature of K.I.M. Nederland," says sales consultant Hans Swartjes. After some twenty years of building, rebuilding and renovating, Hans is a familiar face on Urk. His most recent work concerns Het Urker Zalmhuys. This special project includes the internal renovation, renewal and expansion of four locations where fresh, smoked and frozen salmon is produced and processed. Commissioned by De Boer Bouw & Ontwikkeling, K.I.M. Nederland supplies and assembles, among other things, the sandwich panels for the exterior walls, interior walls and ceilings of these locations. 

Building on trust

"Between March 2022 and July 2023, we will assemble about 25,000 m² of panels, which will be entirely foodsafe," says Hans. "But also just under a hundred doors, in every imaginable type. The work is carried out on the basis of trust and good understanding, with Het Urker Zalmhuys being assured of one central point of contact for all four projects." Biggest challenge here is planning, he says. "Not only in terms of materials and equipment, but certainly also in terms of (assembly) personnel." Besides Hans, the draftsmen, BIM modelers, work planners and mechanics of K.I.M. Nederland also play an essential role in the smooth project(s) progress.

Leen Menken

Departing from Urk and passing such impressive projects as Vergeer Holland in Bodegraven and StarCuisine in Bleiswijk, we drive on to Zoetermeer, where K.I.M. Nederland recently completed an expansion for Leen Menken Foodservice Logistics. "Between February and December 2022, we renovated the existing cold store and expanded it with a 6,500 m² new cold store," explains project manager John Zweers. "The new cold store serves entirely as freezer storage, for which we supplied and assembled sandwich wall and roof panels with a high Rc value. We also provided the fire compartmentation (fire walls) and supplied all refrigeration and freezer doors and pass-through doors." 

Blindly fixed

Unique for cold stores is that the facade panels are blindly fixed, he says. "This prevents cold bridges from outside to inside and raises the appearance of the extension to an even higher level. Another special feature is the floor isolation, which is suitable for mobile pallet racks. As a result, high durability and storage density come together nicely."

Just-in-time

Because the conveyors in the new cold store are linked to the existing cold store, K.I.M. Netherlands created several transport passages. Both for the conveyor belts and forklift traffic, says John. "We also partially renewed the existing facade with new sandwich facade panels." The biggest challenge during construction was the limited storage space. "Because the entire site contributes to Leen Menken's logistics processes, all materials were delivered just-in-time and processed immediately. To make this possible and to raise the quality of the extension to the very highest level, we worked with the contractor from an early stage and very intensively. By having insight into all product choices and detailing beforehand and resolving any clashes, the construction could be carried out very efficiently and with minimal failure costs."

Form left to right: Nico Schut, Nigel Schoonderwoerd, Gerard Scherff, Theo Smeding and Rob Groen

Schoonderwoerd Vlees

Another great reference is the expansion of the cold store and freezer house of Schoonderwoerd Vlees in Bilthoven. The reason for this expansion is the continued growth of the family business, says managing director Nigel Schoonderwoerd. "To ensure our quality and service also in the future, we were looking for more efficiency and sustainability. This is achieved, among other things, by now clustering the production, storage and distribution of lamb, beef and venison at one central location." To this end, the existing location at Bedrijvenpark Larenstein will be doubled with approximately 1,350 m² of cold storage including offices, shipping and transshipment. "It is essential for us to establish a proper and high-quality building that meets all (hygiene) requirements and guidelines. This is why we very consciously chose a specialist who could advise and support us. But also for a reliable partner with sufficient people and capacity. We found that partner in K.I.M. Nederland."

Tight planning

In September 2022, K.I.M. Nederland started preparations for the expansion, which will be completed as early as around the summer vacations of 2023. "In a close and pleasant construction team collaboration with Schoonderwoerd Vlees, we provided the engineering for the new building," says project manager Rob Groen. "Work started in February 2023, executed in phases and on a tight schedule. Because the footprint of the site will be optimally utilized by our client, there is limited space for equipment and material storage. Storage and distribution of quality meat continue without interruption. Therefore, also in this project, all materials are delivered just-in-time and processed immediately. From walls, ceilings and finishing profiles to fire roll screens, refrigeration and freezer doors, swing doors and sliding doors, which are completed with very high quality and are foodsafe."

Proud

To keep all processes on track, good communication is essential, Rob says. With the client as well as with all construction partners. "Moreover, work must be done in accordance with the highest (hygiene) requirements. When I see how we manage this together, I can only be proud of this project."

At Schoonderwoerd Vlees. From left to right: Theo Smeding, Nico Schut, Nigel Schoonderwoerd, Gerard Scherff and Rob Groen

A final reference concerns projects for Huuskes, which is known, among other things, for its food concepts and meal solutions for healthcare, hospitals and company restaurants. Huuskes has several branches in Enschede, Nijkerk, Beuningen, Winschoten and Oldenzaal, for which K.I.M. Netherlands regularly carries out work. From new construction to remodeling, renovation and expansion, says sales manager Yannick Mastenbroek. "Our relationship goes back decades. The first major achievement was the expansion of the kitchen and realization of a freezer house in 1989. Since then, we have been a familiar face at Huuskes." Frank Hagmolen, Chief Technical Officer at Huuskes agrees: "In recent years we have gathered several good suppliers around us, on whom we can build and who are available when necessary. K.I.M. Nederland is such a partner. Our wishes are always the focus. Moreover, they are skilled and flexible. It's no coincidence that they have already placed many square meters of panels and doors with us."

Indoor renovations

At the moment, K.I.M. Nederland is carrying out many indoor renovation jobs. "For example, we install the new casing of a spiral freezer, focusing on noise reduction in addition to hygiene," explains Yannick. "We also regularly install new walls, ceilings, doors and window frames in places where production capacity is being adjusted or expanded. A high standard of completion is paramount here."

Special expertise

Working in existing environments requires special expertise, because in most cases production must continue unhindered, says project supervisor Marc Wessels. "To prevent dust from entering the production lines, all work is carried out in accordance with HACCP and BRC guidelines. Assembly, (internal) logistics and safety regulations are also closely coordinated." Yannick: "Typical of renovation projects are the limited spaces and unforeseen issues that are always lurking around the corner. Creativity, flexibility and insight are crucial in this case, something our project team has plenty of. Our professionals know how to translate whatever is conceived on paper into a suitable customer solution time and time again. We are particularly proud of that."

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First photo: From left to right: Gerard Scherff, John Zweers, Lucas Roskam © Roel Dijkstra