Two family businesses located only 20 kilometers apart as the crow flies. Two places where hard work and fun go hand in hand. Two innovators with a strong focus on sustainability. It was written in the stars that the collaboration between Group Jansen and Harol would be a resounding success. The result is impressive: Harol’s renovated headquarters in Diest is a real eye-catcher, both inside and out!
Harol, founded in 1946 and specialized in roller shutters, sun protection, and outdoor living products, has grown into an internationally renowned brand. Under the leadership of Annick and Joris Draelants, the third generation in the family business, Harol has taken important steps in product innovation and expansion into international markets. “We are active in about thirty countries. The focus is on Europe, but you can find Harol in Turkey, India, Australia, and the United States, among others,” explains Annick.
The Harol headquarters in Diest dated from the 1970s and was in urgent need of renovation. “Many aspects of the building were outdated. Not just aesthetically, but in terms of technical infrastructure and sustainability,” says Joris Draelants, Technical Director of Harol. “Moreover, we really needed more space due to our strong growth. In other words, it was high time to thoroughly renovate the building.”
The Choice for Group Jansen
For a project of this magnitude, Harol needed a general contractor. An experienced partner who could coordinate the renovation from A to Z. Annick explains why they chose Group Jansen: “Of course, Group Jansen can present numerous impressive references. We also felt a certain connection as a family business. But what really set them apart was the digital approach to our renovation project. The use of highly advanced BIM models and the associated Dalux platform made it possible for us to digitally monitor every step of the process. That gave us a great deal of confidence from the start. The communication during the renovation was also very smooth as a result.”
Sustainability as a Core Value
Group Jansen used their expertise to create a building that is not only functional and modern, but equally important: in line with Harol’s sustainability goals. “We promote products that contribute to energy saving and climate control in homes. So, of course, we wanted to set a good example ourselves with a headquarters that is as sustainable as possible,” Joris explains.
“The existing building was completely stripped, rebuilt, and expanded with a new construction. All of this with high-quality insulation and ventilation, the use of recycled and sustainable materials, and energy-efficient solutions. Think, for example, of rainwater recovery, automatic lighting, and even a wind turbine. The accompanying KNX home automation system ultimately automates our office in a smart way.”
Space for Well-Being and Fun
The renovation not only included technical improvements but also created more space for well-being and collaboration. When walking through the building, the peace and quiet are immediately noticeable. A well-thought-out layout with acoustic partition walls creates an open feeling while providing all necessary privacy. An extensive seminar space makes it easy to bring larger groups together.
Additionally, a new lunch and relaxation area, dubbed ‘Harol Café’, was created. “We wanted a place where employees come together, not just to work, but to relax and exchange ideas,” says Annick. “We think it’s very important to occasionally have a drink or meal at the bar and let off some steam. And in the adjacent fitness room, we can work off those extra calories afterward.”
Successful Collaboration
Now, two years after the completion of the renovation, Annick and Joris are still very satisfied with the end result. “When you park your car among the lush greenery in the front garden, your working day actually starts well. Every day when we enter the building, we are proud of what we have achieved together with Group Jansen. The combination of sustainability, functionality and aesthetics ensures that we have a working environment that is ready for the future,” they conclude.
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