Smilde Bakery; a complex construction

In order to complete complex construction projects such as the Smilde Bakery in Edam as desired and on time, clear contractual agreements are needed. Also required: both client and contractor are aware of the agreements and live up to them. A business approach that combines perfectly with a pleasant atmosphere on the construction site and enjoyable cooperation.

"Continuing as before in the existing bakery location of the family business Royal Smilde was no longer an option. The factory had become too small and people were working in different premises. A new vision of the future was needed." Jeroen van Dijk, Operations Manager at Smilde Bakery gives an insight into the old situation and explains the wishes for new construction: "We want to continue working at the same location but in one new building with more production space and a new office." Those wishes sound simple. The fact that there are several buildings with little additional land and that production had to continue made the process of developing a new building complex. 

Royal Smilde

At the production site in Edam, Smilde manufactures sweet and savoury snacks, puff pastry, foam products, seasonal pastries and of course the famous cream horn; for the food industry, the retail and foodservice markets. The company's origins lie in traditional baking; still an important and valued group of customers with whom the Pruvé brand is very familiar. Over the years, food service, retail and export markets have been added. Smilde Bakery is part of the international Royal Smilde group, which also has locations in Roden, Bolsward, Oosterwolde and Heerenveen. 

Jeroen van Dijk (l) and Bas te Riele

The road to a new factory

Smilde Bakery's requirements for the new building were clear. A single construction with:

• expansion of production capacity in a larger building and with more efficient production lines
• new offices, space for R&D, TD, Bakery café;
• better logistic flow, splitting of incoming and outgoing goods and loading pit;
• more space for cooling and freezing cells in preparation for production;
• more storage space for dry raw materials;
• implementation of corporate identity after Heerenveen office design example;
• certainty about fire and consequential damage.

"The only thing we lacked was the space to expand on the existing land. Therefore, in recent years we have been able to acquire businesses around the existing plant," clarifies Jeroen. "In 2019, we shared and discussed our final plan of requirements with several contractors. We chose construction company Aan de Stegge Twello because of their approach, looking ahead, embracing risks, the price/quality ratio and their experience in the food industry." Bas te Riele, commercial project manager at Aan de Stegge Twello adds: "The cooperation agreement was signed in December, the permits were applied for in advance of the construction contract signed in June 2020. A businesslike process with hard agreements, but in a harmonious atmosphere, which enabled us to set up the 'front end' properly together. An indispensable engineering component to ultimately manage the construction without surprises." 

Energetic construction activities

Bas tells us in a nutshell: "The four existing buildings were demolished, and on 2 February 2021 the first pole was placed. Construction had begun." Jeroen expresses his satisfaction. "Thanks to the clear agreements in the preliminary phase, the construction went smoothly. I remain positively surprised about their approach. The construction causes inconvenience for the neighbouring companies, but special treats, such as a cake, keep the atmosphere positive. A French fries stand is also arranged for the construction workers on Friday afternoons. The mutual contacts are based on equality and respect. This also enables us to find joint solutions for extra work, such as the sprinkler system. The fire insurer is making more and more demands on the prevention of the spread of fire, often more than the government requires. The current requirements were new to us and were not included in the original request for proposals. We did discuss this with Aan de Stegge Twello during the preliminary phase. They included the re-engineering and implementation of the required installation in their construction plans. The extra costs were shared with me. I immediately picked up the communication with my stakeholders."

'Professional contracts, pleasant cooperation'

Pleasant cooperation

"As a construction company, we are responsible for the planning, quality, construction budget and process," Bas clarifies. "As far as I can see, we manage this well. We can apply our experience in food here. It seems like a piece of cake, but you need each other. It is important that we have organised the front office in a businesslike way, so that the construction proceeds without delay and without irritation; like a party for both parties. "Continuity is guaranteed," adds Jeroen. "I am proud of our wonderful project. The real party will be celebrated in week 42 at completion!"

www.smildebakery.com
www.adst.nl

Photos: © Wick Natzijl