Today works started in Haasrode Research Park for the new Belgian headquarters of technology company Simac. The first spade was symbolically dug by Leuven's mayor Mohamed Ridouani and governor of Flemish Brabant Jan Spooren. The new building will provide 140 employees with a place to work and is particularly ecological in its design.
The mayor of Leuven dug the first spade in the presence of councilor for economics Lalynn Wadera, councilor for work Johan Geleyns, governor of Flemish Brabant Jan Spooren, CEO Eric van Schagen of the Simac holding, representatives of construction company Vanhout, Architects in Motion and the management team of Simac ICT Belgium.
Simac ICT Belgium has been a fixture in Flemish Brabant for decades. The current head office in Kortenberg has been in use since 1997. Simac has been awarded the Trends Gazelle Award for Flemish Brabant several times by Trends. Apart from the Kortenberg branch, Simac also has satellite offices in Heverlee, Pulderbos, Bastogne and Lummen. That way, Simac employees can work closer to home and closer to its clients.
The new HQ will be located in the Haasrode Research Park, on the site where Simac previously had an office and a warehouse. The building has a particularly ecological setup, follows a BEN (Bijna Energie-Neutraal [almost energy-neutral, AEN]) design and provides for, among other things, 30 charging points for electric vehicles, economical energy management and reuse of rainwater. It goes without saying that the most advanced techniques are used for the new building, including concrete core activation as climate control and the extensive use of domotics. The building was designed by Architects in Motion and the construction was entrusted to Vanhout. The construction involves an investment of over 10 million euros.
"Simac considers sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) very important."
"That explains the many environmental measures we are taking around our new building in Belgium, says Eric Van Schagen, CEO Simac Techniek NV. "I also see many similarities between Flemish Brabant and the region in which Simac was founded, North Brabant in the Netherlands. The proximity of colleges and universities provides us with well-trained employees and both Leuven and the Brainport region around Eindhoven are world players in terms of innovation and development."
"It is no coincidence that Leuven was awarded the title of 'European Capital of Innovation’ by the European Commission."
"Our city, with its knowledge institutions and companies, is a world leader in technology," says mayor Mohamed Ridouani. We are therefore particularly delighted that a growth company like Simac is coming to Leuven and will help to provide additional innovation and employment."
"We are going for growth, and we want to achieve it here in Haasrode."
CEO Patrick Bontinckx of Simac ICT Belgium adds: "Simac feels good in Flemish Brabant. We are firmly rooted here and also have many clients, including the Province of Flemish Brabant and various municipalities. With our new, modern head office, which will be even more pleasant to work in, we will be even better able to attract new employees and to serve our clients more efficiently."
From left to right: Frédéric Wattecamps (Architects in Motion), Jan Spooren (governor Province of Flemish Brabant), Patrick Bontinckx (Simac ICT Belgium), Mohamed Ridouani (mayor of Leuven), Eric van Schagen (Simac Techniek NV) and Bert Lenaerts (Vanhout).