The specially designed 40,000 sq.ft building is been constructed on a 1.5 hectare plot of land acquired by the company 18 months ago, together with another adjacent 70,000 square feet, which is already reserved in anticipation of future expansion. Approximately 35,000 sq.ft the new space is devoted to warehousing, service and storage areas.
The remaining 5,000 sq.ft is an open-plan office, complete with a contemporary interior design created by Buro Belgium. Maximising natural light, the offices have also been acoustically treated and designed to limit noise interference between the different workspaces and areas.
"We want it to be as pleasant and stimulating a working environment as possible on all levels," explains XL Video Belgium founder and CEO Rene de Keyzer. Other staff facilities include a restaurant offering a selection of fresh healthy food, showers and a green room.
The technical facilities are equally as impressive. There's vastly increased space all round, with two substantial preparation areas, massive amounts of storage, a repair shop/laboratory and a dedicated separate customisation and 'experimentation' space for those projects requiring more 'creative' and bespoke video screens and surfaces.
The new facility is located at the hub of several major European transport arteries, taking advantage of quick and easy access to the whole of Europe. This includes other nearby XL Video facilities in Paris, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Roosendaal in the Netherlands and the UK. It's also in a great position to service the domestic market. XL Belgium already has many community ties in Ostend including supplying equipment and screens to the city's football and basketball venues.
The new warehouse was inaugurated in great style with a fabulous party attended by over 500 people. The official opening was undertaken by Belgian Minister of State Johan Vande Lanotte who made a keynote speech, and has been responsible for the development of the Business Park.
Revellers - including representatives from XL's newly opened Chinese office and a large contingent from the UK who arrived on two tour buses - were entertained by three live bands and DJ's. Samples of some of XL's standard product lines were on display including Barco Mi-Sphere curtains, the new Mitsubishi DV8 LED screen (as featured on Robbie Williams' Close Encounters stadium tour), Soft-LED LED curtains and the DLP and high definition projector fleet including the new Barco FLM20. Lighting and sound was supplied by EML.
XL Video UK's general manager Al Green says: "With cross-channel links now so fast and efficient, having large amounts of LED stock held in Belgium represents no operational barriers." The new facility has the space to accommodate and service all of XL Video's current stock of mobile LED screens, from the Barco B10 screen vans to stage trucks and 40 sq.m LED trucks.
(Chris Henry)
