Anyone taking the Sint-Katelijne-Waver exit can't miss it: the brand-new Aartsen facility. On Monday, May 19, the striking new building, covering 10,000 square meters, officially opened its doors.
For those unfamiliar with Aartsen: the company has long been a leading name in the open fruit and vegetable market. With locations in the Netherlands (Breda, Venlo), Belgium (Sint-Katelijne-Waver), and Asia (Hong Kong), Aartsen offers a complete year-round assortment to its customers. What truly sets Aartsen apart in the Benelux is its strong position in the non-retail segment. The company serves wholesalers, market traders, foodservice companies, exporters, specialty shops, online businesses, and more. Each location also features a Cash & Carry, where flexibility, top quality, and a wide range of products take center stage.
Room to Grow
"The old facility on Strijbroek, where we were based for nearly thirty years, had become too small. It limited our growth and our ability to expand the range," says Commercial Director Menno van Breemen. "With this new building, we've doubled our space, allowing us to realize our growth ambitions and better serve customers across Belgium, Luxembourg, and northern France."
The move from the old site, just 1.2 kilometers away, was completed last Friday. On Saturday, the facility was restocked with fresh produce, so customers were greeted with a full assortment first thing Monday morning. "We chose a bold, industrial design. It stands out from our other locations," adds Operational Director Jasper van der Sandt.
The building features cutting-edge technology, including solar panels and a large battery storage system, enabling the facility to operate in an energy-neutral way. "This is now our flagship location, "says Jasper. "It sets the benchmark for our other sites in Breda and Venlo, where space is also becoming an issue. We plan to address those facilities within the next five years."
"In the past four years, we've seen consistent organic growth across our diverse customer base," says Menno. "We deliver daily to wholesalers, foodservice companies, market traders, exporters, specialty retailers, and online platforms. With a broader assortment, we're not only strengthening relationships with existing clients but also attracting new ones. Service improvement is an ongoing focus. Customers come here for the wide variety of fresh products, and we welcome everyone to see it for themselves."
Enlarged Cash & Carry
A key highlight of the new building is the expanded Cash & Carry, now equal in size to those in Breda and Venlo. "We're seeing strong organic growth in the Cash & Carry segment across all locations, which represents approx 30–35% of our turnover," says Menno. "There's a lot of consolidation in our industry, and our goal has always been to provide the most complete one-stop-shop possible."
More and more customers from northern France are discovering Aartsen in Sint-Katelijne-Waver, and the company expects the new site will further accelerate that trend. The Cash & Carry is open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 5:00 AM to 1:00 PM, and from 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays, according to site manager Frans Jongerius.
The team at the new facility now includes over 35 employees, who can also enjoy an on-site gym. "Finding the right people is one of our biggest challenges," says Frans. "At Aartsen, it's all about mindset, mentality, and character. We hope this new location helps attract fresh talent, because we have big ambitions."
The construction was carried out almost entirely by Belgian contractors. Despite a late start due to wet weather, the project stayed on schedule. "We're extremely grateful to our customers and global suppliers who made this step possible," Jasper concludes. "We look to the future with great confidence, and we believe this investment will unlock many exciting new opportunities."
For more information:
Aartsen
Hoveniersstraat 8
2860 Sint-Katelijne-Waver, Belgium
Tel: +32 (0)15 560 860
[email protected]
www.aartsen.com