Perspective on sustainability from the new home of Bausch + Lomb and JAS
A vision for the future: sustainability, innovation, and strategy
For many companies, sustainability and innovation are no longer nice-to-haves but essential principles for conducting business. For Bausch + Lomb and JAS Forwarding – The Netherlands, both recently established at Green Square Business Campus in Aalsmeer, these are core components of their business strategy. Yet, they each interpret and implement these principles in their own way, driven by unique visions and objectives.
BREEAM Excellence and energy efficiency: the new EMEA head office for Bausch + Lomb
For Bausch + Lomb, Green Square in Aalsmeer presented a long-awaited opportunity to put their sustainability ambitions into action. The building, which meets strict BREEAM Excellence standards, perfectly aligns with their focus on energy efficiency and responsible business practices. Maurice Brancart, site director at Bausch + Lomb explains: “ESG is a key priority for us. We are also certified according to various ISO standards. Our current building is outdated, offering no further opportunities for sustainability improvements. This was also a major reason for our decision to move. Additionally, BREEAM Excellence certification was a requirement for our new site.”
Maurice continues, “Another essential factor for us was a guaranteed power supply at this location, given the challenges around grid congestion. Temperature control of the building is a key aspect of our operations. So in terms of design, we also consider energy consumption in relation to temperature regulation. We strive to do this as efficiently as possible, but we need a stable power supply to support this, as well as for process automation. Bausch + Lomb is expected to continue growing in the coming years, and robotics integration enables us to scale up without needing additional staff.”
Strategic location with valuable facilities
Jeroen Brinkhuis, program manager at Bausch + Lomb, adds, “The positioning of this site supports its function as a European meeting center. Like Schiphol-Rijk, where Bausch + Lomb is currently located, this site is logistically appealing with close proximity to Schiphol. Also, the area development here stood out to us. A central area with numerous facilities is being developed. We want to be an attractive employer, which includes offering a pleasant workplace with access to facilities.”
JAS: sustainable operations aligned with people and their surroundings
For JAS, the main decision factor for locating at Green Square was somewhat different, though BREEAM certification and guaranteed power supply also played a significant role. The JAS slogan, ‘People make the difference,’ reflects their business philosophy. René Kruse, managing director of JAS NL, explains: “The Italian family-owned company chose Green Square primarily for the aesthetics of the building and the connection to the area. In this naturally lit building, our people feel at ease, which is just as important to us as the sustainable qualities of the building.” Sustainability is indeed a factor for JAS, especially in terms of meeting client expectations and their vision of corporate social responsibility.
Branch manager at JAS, Said Aharchaoui, adds, “This location is also a great hub for freight. Although JAS stands for Jet Air Service, we handle more than just air freight. However, the connection to Schiphol remains essential.”
It’s clear that a sustainable business environment can be more than just a ‘green’ location. At Green Square Business Campus Aalsmeer, companies have the space to shape their sustainable and innovative ambitions in ways that align with their growth. Sustainable entrepreneurship in the green heart of the Netherlands!
