With the revelation of the construction sign at Bellstraat 6, we, Qimarox, are entering a new phase. Construction is ready to commence! With our new production site at Lorentz III, we, manufacturer of product lifts and palletizing machines, aim to further grow.
Construction Process:
Four years ago, we initiated plans for expansion. In 2021, we acquired the land and applied for the power supply. The cables for the heavy connection are now in place, trenches have been dug, and the groundwork has been laid. The formwork is ready, and the foundation will be poured soon. The preparation began about a week and a half ago, and the unveiling of the construction sign on December 7 marked the symbolic start. The expected completion is around the construction holiday in July 2024.
The construction is managed in-house, with Drees Timmer as our construction consultant and Marius den Besten as the construction supervisor. Various local subcontractors, including Gebroeders Van de Beek from Ermelo for groundwork and Kok Dak & Wand from Uddel for walls, are involved. Concrete and steel come from farther away. The bidding process for various installations is ongoing, and discussions are underway with various local parties.
Pride
During the unveiling, we thanked Mayor Martijn Pijnenburg for the excellent cooperation of the municipality. The mayor of economic affairs and business parks congratulated us and expressed pride in Qimarox. “Not too long ago, this area in Lorentz III was just an empty plot, and now giant buildings are rising here. Qimarox, too, is building something beautiful here. It makes me proud that such an innovative, social, and committed company with technically skilled personnel is expanding here with a sustainable building, serving the whole world from Harderwijk.”
We produce product lifts (vertical conveyors), vertical sorters, and palletizers (stacker robots), offering a comprehensive range of these product groups. Annually, we supply 350 integrators worldwide in 80 countries. The market segments include logistics, automotive, food, and vertical farming.
“We integrate our products into our customers’ entire systems. For example, we supply sort lifts to Bol.com for their warehouse and lifts to Vanderlande, a company that is a market leader in baggage handling, including at Schiphol Airport. Our lifts go everywhere, to major brands like Coca Cola, Amazon, and Nike. We also supply a French integrator implementing the system at K-Parts, nearby on Nobelstraat, and at Nestle in Nunspeet. Our lifts and machines are in the frozen food sector and at Aviko for fries.”
In development is vertical farming, replacing traditional greenhouse cultivation. Vegetables, like lettuce plants, move upward and are provided with light during the growth process. “This results in energy and surface savings. It’s already happening in New York, and this is the future.”
All dispatched products are tracked with data tracking. This allows Qimarox to monitor for malfunctions or maintenance needs. “We can view through camera systems and remotely solve issues.”
Expansion
The location on Nobelstraat will remain the office and showroom (demo space), with production currently taking place elsewhere in the industrial area. “As Qimarox, we grow by 20% every year; our revenue is now 23 million, and in terms of personnel, we’ve doubled in the past four years to 130 employees. We currently rent three buildings: two on Anthony van Leeuwenhoekstraat and one on Fahrenheitstraat, totaling 3,000 m2 of space. However, it’s surprising that we still manage production here because we are truly lacking space.”
Big Plans:
On Lorentz III, we can realize further expected growth. “We purchased 3.2 hectares of land from the municipality of Harderwijk. Here, we can build seven halls. The first phase consists of two halls totaling 6,400 m2. This is 80 by 80 meters in total; the production halls are 40 by 60 meters with a corridor for trucks in between. Loading and unloading take place inside the building to avoid inconvenience. The halls are 15 meters high and can be expanded to twelve in the future. On the current site, we can build seven halls. We have an additional 4 hectares as an option for further expansion. We have big plans, and this is just the beginning.”
Sustainable Construction:
The building will be constructed sustainably, with underfloor heating and a climate control system. “At the production site, flat, laser-cut plates are bent and welded with robots. Once they are powder-coated, they are assembled. Our lifts go into the powder-coating oven. This heat exchange system of various segments is 15 meters high. Above, it’s 180 degrees. Everything going down is heated with the products going up. With this system, we expect to save 30% of energy.”
Due to growth and the scaling of (partly automated) production, we also needs people. From production workers to university-level professionals, there are opportunities. If you’re seeking a new challenge and want to contribute to Qimarox’s future, check out the vacancies. We are currently looking for a mechanical engineer with an affinity for robot programming.
For current job openings, visit: www.jobs.qimarox.com
