Sometimes the grass really is greener on the other side, as Edwin van Straten, location manager for Grenke, found out. In April, his company moved from the practical building of Flight Support to the stately Valid tower across the road.
At Grenke, any company can lease anything that has a plug, whether it’s solar panels or IT equipment, or expensive items like packaging machines and laboratory equipment. Edwin explains that they do this on the basis of operational leasing. “We buy this type of equipment in lease form from partners and rent it out to customers for an agreed term and at an agreed rate. This allows customers to keep capital in their own pockets, for example, to maintain their liquidity or to invest in personnel.”
Listed on the stock exchange, but lacking in presence
Grenke is a listed company with billions in revenue and operates in 33 countries. However, they are less well-known in the Netherlands, Edwin knows. “That’s because we’re relatively small here with 5 branches and 42 employees.” The regional office for South Netherlands was also little visible until recently. They had been housed in the Flight Support building for twelve years, until Edwin decided they needed an upgrade. “An office in the midst of manufacturing companies in a business center doesn’t give the appearance you want as a multinational in financial services.”
An impossible list of demands
So Edwin went looking for a new home in Eindhoven and Best, with a clear wish list under his arm: a easily accessible location with ample parking, in an affordable building with allure and comfort. A seemingly impossible list of demands, Edwin discovered after several unsuccessful viewings.
An office with allure and neighbors of stature
Until neighbor Valid had several floors for rent. “Ideal for us. Still on the well-known Flight Forum and without extra travel time for my four colleagues and me. But then in a striking and chic office with neighbors of stature such as ASML, Mazars, and Regus.” Grenke signed a five-year lease in April, and thus remains in their familiar location. Edwin says, “We see it as a real improvement, and so do our customers.” The chance that they will become too big for their boots because of their new luxury is small: from their glass palace, they can still see the spot where their regional office once began.