C.R.E.SOURCE Consulting | European Distribution Center

BOSE CORPORATION
European Distribution Center
Tongeren, Belgium
60,000 square feet

Services:

Site Selection

International Program Management

Project Management

Mission:

Political changes in Europe made centralized product distribution possible. A strategic study determined that a new Bose logistics facility would be developed in the Benelux region of Europe. Business requirements and lease terminations mandated that a site be found and the relocation be completed within 10 months.

Actions:

In order to meet the business objectives of this assignment a well coordinated and aggressive management process was called for. Immediately a senior business team was organized to define program requirements and facilitate the decision making process.

After directing the evaluation of location alternatives, a decision was made to locate the logistics center in Belgium. A comprehensive site search was conducted, and a comparative analysis was completed with consideration given to infrastructure, workforce characteristics, economic incentives and land values. Land in Tongeren, Belgium was acquired from among the 6 cities and 10 sites that were long-listed.

The assignment continued with the project management of the building development. An Architect was selected and Bose corporate standards were incorporated into the final building design. The construction was managed using a fast track approach to meet the aggressive move-in date. Infrastructure work being performed by the City was closely coordinated. The building was successfully completed on time and under budget.

Achievements:

The distribution operation successfully relocated on-time and under budget. The project was characterized by one executive as "the best-managed project he'd seen."