W4Y advisors | BREEAM

Oldenburger|Fritom was introduced to W4Y advisors through Hercuton at the end of 2017. Partly thanks to W4Y’s expert and professional guidance, we were able to open our first BREEAM Outstanding distribution center in 2019. W4Y subsequently guided us in 2022 with the BREEAM In-Use Excellent certification of our existing warehouse.

“In 2023, Oldenburger|Fritom approached us again. This time for the construction of a second distribution center according to BREEAM Outstanding. In addition, we were asked in 2024 for advice on the upgrade from Excellent to Outstanding of their existing warehouse,” says BREEAM specialist Jan Roersen. “Once again a nice process that we are working on together.”

Jan Roersen is an international authority in the field of BREEAM. He is originally a mechanical engineer with an academic degree in business administration. His first job was at an energy company, where he quickly developed into an energy consultant. “Energy has been my passion ever since. In addition, I now have a passion for sustainable construction as well. This passion has continued to grow due to the introduction of quality marks such as BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method).”

BREEAM In-Use and BREEAM New Construction
From 2005 to 2011, Jan worked at Grontmij, now Sweco. Here he was responsible, among other things, for the management and maintenance of existing buildings. Due to his passion for energy and sustainable construction, Jan was asked to take the lead in these areas. “This is how I became involved in the first In-Use pilot projects. This started with the UK standard for ING-REIM, Vastned and the Aberdeen Standard European Balanced Property Fund in Europe. We were the first to do this.”

He then joined an advisory group for the development of BREEAM In-Use Netherlands with the DGBC (Dutch Green Building Council). He was also at the start of BREEAM In-Use International for BRE (Building Research Establishment). “At that time, I guided many certification processes. Later on, I was also asked to take on the guidance of certification processes related to BREEAM New Construction.”

About W4Y advisors
W4Y advisors is located in Harderwijk, the Netherlands, and was founded by Jan in 2011. “As an independent consultancy firm, our experts in the field of building-related installations and sustainable construction provide tailor-made advice. Our enthusiastic team works on projects throughout the Netherlands.” W4Y's working method is based on a pragmatic approach. An assignment is not only approached from the technical side, but also from an organizational perspective. W4Y strives for sustainable relationships by putting the interests and needs of customers first.

Sustainability ambitions
Jan says about Oldenburger|Fritom's sustainability ambitions: “It is very clear that Oldenburger|Fritom wants to have all their buildings certified according to the highest BREEAM rating, Outstanding. Oldenburger|Fritom continuously anticipates future developments that will ultimately affect all chain partners. It is very nice to see that a company has such clear sustainability ambitions and then realizes them. This is not easy and requires quite some effort.

It results in energy savings, healthier workplaces and more insight into energy consumption, but it doesn't stop there. For example, Oldenburger|Fritom also focuses on the charging infrastructure of their company fleet and their trucks. In addition, climate change is taken into account. Including by installing water storage facilities that collect rainwater for reuse.”

Continuous development
Oldenburger|Fritom must set the bar high to be distinctive in terms of sustainability. Jan: “We used the 2014 manual for the new construction of the first BREEAM DC in 2018. The new construction in 2024 had to comply with the 2020 manual. The requirements here are stricter again. Here too, you can see that Oldenburger|Fritom continues to meet and persevere in the vision of achieving the highest BREEAM rating.

The same goes for the upgrade of the In-Use certificate of the existing warehouse, from BREEAM Excellent to BREEAM Outstanding. Oldenburger|Fritom always goes the extra mile to meet the latest sustainability standards. Developments in this area never stop. The WELL Building Standard is an example of this, as are ESG, Paris Proof and the EU Taxonomy. I get a lot of satisfaction from delving deeper into these developments.”

Jan Roersen – BREEAM specialist, W4Y advisors:

“Oldenburger|Fritom continuously anticipates future developments that will ultimately affect all chain partners. It is very nice to see that a company has such clear sustainability ambitions and then realizes them.”