Tolsma-Grisnich, a specialist in storage and processing systems for potatoes, onions, and carrots, has officially opened its new premises at Cavalier 3 in Emmeloord. The move to the 18,500 m² site marks an important step in the company's ongoing growth and development.
© Tolsma-Grisnich
The opening took place on Friday, 5 September, and was celebrated in grand style with customers, suppliers, employees, and business partners. According to Jan van Maldegem of Tolsma-Grisnich, it was "one big party." "We only moved in three weeks ago and had to get everything ready on time. We managed to do that. We had a reception with speeches, including one from the mayor, followed by a party attended by some 1,500 people. The next day, during the open day for the local community, between 6,000 and 7,000 visitors came to admire our new premises. It was a fantastic weekend."
Everything under one roof
The move was necessary because, until recently, Tolsma-Grisnich was spread across several outdated locations. "We were renting extra space and operating all over Emmeloord," Van Maldegem explains. "By bringing all departments together, from engineering to project management, we can now work much more efficiently. Of course, we still have two product groups: storage and processing solutions. But now we can complement each other much better."
R&D
The new building consists of 16,000 m² of production space and 2,500 m² of offices. It features modern workstations, plant testing facilities, and dedicated rooms for R&D. "We can now test complete processing plants here before they are shipped to customers. This prevents errors and ultimately saves both time and quality," says Van Maldegem.
Sustainable and future-oriented
Sustainability and efficiency were central to the design of the building. It includes heat pumps, underfloor heating in the factory, high-quality insulating glass, and a north-facing office to reduce heat exposure. In addition, an in-house 'energy square' was developed. This was necessary because there was insufficient capacity in the region due to grid congestion. "So we built our own facility with batteries, a generator, and 1,200 solar panels," Van Maldegem explains. "It was born of necessity, but it also makes our premises much more sustainable."
Shorter lead times
One of the key advantages of the move is the logistical progress the company can now achieve. "We want to complete projects faster and deliver more reliably," says Van Maldegem. "Previously, we had to collect things from across Emmeloord; now we can load and unload trucks directly inside. That saves time and prevents mistakes. This is especially important in our seasonal work."
Impulse for employees
The new site should also provide a strong boost for employees. "The facilities and working conditions are a huge step forward. We already notice this helps us attract new staff, which is vital in the technical sector."
International growth ambitions
With the new premises, Tolsma-Grisnich aims to continue growing both nationally and internationally. "We are aiming for turnover growth with roughly the same number of employees, by working more efficiently," says Van Maldegem. "Alongside Europe, our focus is on North America, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. There are clear opportunities there, particularly as potato acreage in the southern hemisphere is increasing."
Delivering now
For Van Maldegem and his colleagues, pride in the new premises is immense. "It gives a huge boost internally. Everyone feels we are ready for the future here. There was a real sense of euphoria among staff during the opening weekend thanks to the positive reactions from customers and visitors. But now we have to live up to those high expectations and turn that enthusiasm into even better results for our customers."
For more information:
Jan van Maldegem
Tolsma-Grisnich
+31 (0) 527 63 64 65
[email protected]
www.tolsmagrisnich.com