Interview
Anyone who has never heard of the village of Halfweg will be amazed by the enormous historical monument located here. The landscape is dominated by the former CSM factory, which supplied us with sugar for many years. Fortunately, this stately lady has proven herself capable of adapting to modern times. Thanks to its robust character and endless hospitality, it is now a sought-after location for countless business events. Under the name SugarFactory, it connects the past with the present.
Upon arrival, you will notice the spaciousness, both outside and inside. 'SugarFactory now has four different event spaces, with a total area of 10,000 m². Each with its own possibilities and capacity,' says Denise Schimmel. 'All spaces exude an industrial atmosphere. Raw and pure. The old stones and factory installations tell their own story and thus give each event a unique character. Companies that book this location feel connected to it and are inspired by it. Here, they find the space to pause and look ahead.'
Fully equipped
The current spaces, de Middenfabriek, Pulppersloods, Binnenstraat, and Bietenwasruimte are interconnected. They can be booked individually or together and have a total capacity of 4,500 people. This is just the beginning; there is still 11,000 m² available. "Thanks to the various projects we have carried out in recent years, we now have a great deal of expertise," explains Denise. "We know how to install modern facilities while still preserving the value of this factory." The roof has now been insulated, the heating system ensures a pleasant temperature, all rooms are equipped with LED par cans, there is a 450 Mbit WiFi connection, and the power supply is guaranteed at 1500 kVa.
Work is underway on the second and third floors of de Middenfabriek, the largest event location within SugarFactory with its characteristic atriums. "From these floors, you have a beautiful view of the ground floor. There will be a VIP deck with two breakout rooms, made from old factory materials," Denise explains enthusiastically. De Middenfabriek has a large roller door and a car lift. Even food trucks can enter without any problems. 'These facilities, in combination with the space, are a great advantage when setting up and dismantling an event. Different activities can take place at the same time without getting in each other's way. And that saves a lot of time.'
Versatility in development
The fenced-in, adjacent area can accommodate more than 400 cars, but activities also take place there. The SugarFactory team is happy to advise on the possibilities of this versatile location, but each client is free to put together their own team of suppliers. 'On request, we can also help you come up with ideas for the layout. In addition, we are working on a number of standard packages to make it easier for our customers to make choices.'
The many developments within SugarFactory are characteristic of the entire SugarFactory site. 'In addition to the office spaces that have been created in the silos, there will also be a casino, a supermarket, an outlet, and a hotel,' says Denise. 'The Puntloods will be moved to the SugarFactory site and converted into an event location. Hotel rooms will be built around it. This, in combination with the current facilities, such as the adjacent railway station and easy accessibility (within 10 minutes from Amsterdam, Schiphol, and Haarlem), makes SugarFactory even more attractive to both national and international guests."
Socially involved
'We are keen to involve former CSM employees who live in Halfweg in all developments. They are helping us with the history of this location and we are working together on a book. Last year, we organized a mass at SugarFactory because the local church was unavailable due to renovation work. This was a valuable collaboration for all of us.'
Source: Events.nl
