What a journey. In just 8 weeks from an empty floor plan to 450 people at work in the new building. A personal story about the collaboration with Marina De Ridder of Dematic.
Dematic is moving from Zwijndrecht to Antwerp. In addition to her daily work as management assistant, Marina was a member of the relocation team. The four-person team had to ensure that all colleagues were able to close the doors in Zwijndrecht on Friday, August 6, 2021, in order to continue working carefree after the weekend in a larger office building in Antwerp Linkeroever.
Our challenge was to get 450 people to work together in 8 weeks in a building that was completely empty.
The story doesn't stop after the move. How can Marina keep moving with the changing wants and needs of her colleagues? Their familiar work environment is giving way to a new building with a very open structure. The practice is going to show if the chosen furniture still needs to be adjusted.
About Dematic
Dematic is an intralogistics innovator that designs, builds and supports intelligent, automated solutions for manufacturing, warehouse and distribution environments. With technical centers, production facilities and service centers in more than 25 countries, the Dematic network of 10,000 employees has helped realize more than 6,000 customer installations for leading multinational companies. Dematic is a member of the KION Group. One of the world leaders in industrial trucks and supply chain solutions.
A temporary as well as a permanent solution
Dematic is having a new office built. However, construction is taking longer than the lease on the current building. Extending is not an option, so the system integrator is moving into a temporary location where they can continue to grow at double-digit rates for the next few years.
In addition to the challenge of setting up a complete building from blank within the limited time, the main goal is to allow all employees to work better together on the many logistics projects for customers throughout Europe. With rapidly growing e-commerce and required automation for warehouses and distribution centers, they are working more frequently and intensively with colleagues worldwide. In addition, most people work on average three days a week in the office and two days from home or at customers' premises. The layout of the new accommodation must be able to move easily with this.
This move is a first phase in the strategic plan. A state-of-the-art new building is expected to be completed in 2024. A few meters away, the offices, the new factory, the warehouse and a research & development center will come together under one roof.
The challenge of Marina
The approval to move into the temporary home was continually delayed for a variety of reasons. In the end, only 8 weeks remained to completely furnish an empty building for 450 colleagues. At that point, the relocation team of which Marina is a part had no supplier who could help them so quickly and on that scale. With furniture that seamlessly fit both the needs and requirements of the company and the Dematic brand.
We had no option, it had to work in those days.
Via Veamo, the manager of the temporary premises, Dematic comes to Alvero. Colleagues Reinier Nederhoed and Sandra Verheijen were immediately invited.
From a many-headed challenge to a hybrid and personalized solution
The collaboration starts with a meeting between Marina, Reinier and Sandra at the new location in Antwerp. In a completely empty building with room for 450 employees. Really everything still has to be filled in. First we discuss the wishes, quantities and requirements, taking into account possible Corona measures. Then we get to know the building well with a thorough reconnaissance.
The building is very open, has ample light and consists mainly of concrete, glass and wood. To work (together) well at this location, specific furniture is needed. Appropriate to the new way of (digital) working. The many dozens of meters of storage cabinets that normally form a natural separation are reduced to a few per floor.
Back at the office, we set to work on drawings to arrive at an optimal layout. Knowing that Dematic employees come to the office primarily to work together, it is crucial to place teams near each other.
Next, the first 3D drawings are shared with Marina and the relocation team. We discuss different options and possibilities and choose the solution that works best on paper.
Products deployed at Dematic
Back at the office, we set to work on drawings to arrive at the best possible layout. Knowing that Dematic's employees
mainly come to the office to work together, it is crucial to place teams near each other. Next, the initial 3D drawings are shared with Marina and the relocation team. We discuss different options and possibilities and choose the solution that works best on paper.
Contact remains, even after completion in August 2021
Once at work in the beautiful building, Marina and her colleagues run into new challenges. The open character and the materials used require a different interpretation in places. Marina discusses these matters with Alvero so that we can immediately come up with one or more solutions. In some cases, the chosen solution is tested first. Should an adjustment still be necessary: no problem. This allows Dematic to keep moving with the wishes of the people on the work floor.
Improving acoustics
Management also initially sat in the open space. However, it soon became apparent that the nature of daily conversations called for a more closed solution. Rebuilding in a rented building is not an option, so soundproof BOW boxes were installed. These are made of glass on 3 sides and the top, so that the open character of the building is maintained. Walls have also recently been placed between the desks and large panels, in the color of the painted walls, now hang on the walls of the voids. They absorb a lot of sound while being barely noticeable. All the acoustic panels are made entirely of recycled plastic.
Creating the ideal meeting setup
On closer inspection, the initially chosen table does not quite fit Dematic's needs after all; electrification in particular is a challenge. Alvero therefore proposes a meeting table in U-shape, made with the modular Moduflex system. On location, the table is adapted and, with some small additions in the room, an arrangement is created that completely suits Dematic's wishes.
credits
Dematic
Marina De Ridder
Alvero Netherlands
Reinier Nederhoed
Sandra Verheijen
John Lazaroms
Want to know more about Dematic's case?
Please feel free to ask for additional information and ask your questions. Reinier will be happy to tell you all the ins and outs of this case.
