Do not turn the former Philipsterrein on the A58 in Roosendaal into a logistics location. That is what logistics entrepreneurs in the region are arguing for. The companies want space to be made for the manufacturing industry to reduce dependence on China.
On the old Philipsterrein, developer LCP wants to build an XXL distribution centre of 112,000 square metres: Campus A58. Local residents protested against the building's arrival in recent years, whereupon LCP itself decided to withdraw the building permit and enter into talks with residents. At the end of 2019, a new building permit was issued by the municipality. Local residents then submitted massive objections. It now turns out that even logistics entrepreneurs in the region are not waiting for a new distribution centre.
Manufacturing industry 'nice solution'
During an onlinemeeting with city councillors, Transport and Logistics Netherlands and the Transport and Logistics Sector Institute, the Logistic Platform Roosendaal argued that a logistics destination is not preferred. Instead, room should be made for companies in the manufacturing industry, writes BN de Stem.
Bringing the manufacturing industry to the Netherlands reduces dependence on China and curbs logistics movements. "Suppose some manufacturing industries were looking for a site, that would be a nice solution," said Sjel Wijngaards, chairman of the Logistic Platform Roosendaal and director of Jan de Rijk Logistics.
Labour migrants needed
The entrepreneurs also stressed that there should be migrant policies from the Roosendaal municipality to fill logistics vacancies. Wijngaards: "Left or right, we need migrant workers. Companies like DSV and Lidl are really not only going to employ Roosendalers."
Image: Artist impression of the XXL distribution centre on the former Philip site.
