News
Nov 19, 2024
Meet Bulsink France
In the Netherlands, Bulsink has been renowned for decades as the go-to construction partner for the retail, hospitality, office and leisure sectors. Since 2022, we have established a branch in Paris, offering significant benefits to both our clients and local partners.
Why does a Dutch construction company have an office in France? “We follow our clients,” says Project Manager Tony d’Agostino, referring to internationally operating brands such as G-Star, Rituals, and Basic-Fit.
Together with five other local team members, Tony ensures that our construction projects in France run smoothly. He and his French colleagues also serve as the point of contact for local partners, such as installers, architects, and suppliers.
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If anything comes up, we can simply visit the construction site to see what’s going on and resolve issues immediately.
- Tony d'Agostino, Project Manager Bulsink France
Distinct challenges
Construction in France comes with distinct challenges, explains Tony: “If you’re not locally present or don’t speak the language, it’s much harder to maintain close communications with local partners.”
“There are also differences in construction materials. In the Netherlands, for instance, partition walls typically include an extra layer of wood paneling, whereas here, they're usually just plaster.”
Another aspect is regulations. In France, the Bureau de Contrôle oversees compliance with all technical and regulatory requirements for construction projects.
“To prove compliance, we need to submit numerous certificates and documents, meaning more administrative obligations. Additionally, authorities always perform a physical safety inspection upon project completion.”
With an office in Paris, our team is literally closer to the construction sites, which makes communication significantly easier, Tony observes: “If something comes up, we can simply visit the site, see what’s going on, and resolve any issues on the spot.”
Project example
Renovating Basic-Fit
One notable project Tony highlights is the renovation of a Basic-Fit gym in Saint-Jean-de-la-Ruelle. Located in the heart of a shopping center, the project presented significant logistical challenges in transporting machinery and construction materials to the site.
“We not only had to consider the client’s requirements, but also adhere to the shopping center’s regulations,” Tony explain. “This included safety protocols, noise restrictions, and specific delivery time slots for materials. Initially, this was challenging, but over time, the shopping center became increasingly cooperative.”
The key to success, according to Tony, was maintaining a local presence.
“We made regular visits, shared a coffee, and had casual conversations. This helped us build a constructive relationship with the shopping center representatives. Achieving this would have been much harder with language barriers or cultural differences in play.”
Champs-Élysées
Temporary Rituals store
Another highlight was the construction of a Rituals pop-up store and Mind Spa in the heart of Paris, on the Champs-Élysées. The project began in the summer of 2023, and by October, the doors were open.
Tony recalls: “A massive challenge that had us working seven days a week”.
“The previous tenant was a well-known restaurant, and the new owner plans to demolish the building. In the meantime, Rituals seized the opportunity to establish a temporary store – perfectly timed for the upcoming Olympic Games and the holiday season. This location will available until December 2024.”
A fun anecdote:
“The week we scheduled the flooring delivery, all of Paris was suddenly shut down due to a visit from King Charles,” Tony recalls with a laugh.
“We ended up stranded at the construction site. It was amazing to watch the king pass by, but it certainly threw off our schedule!”
Best of both worlds
For many projects, Bulsink France collaborates closely with the Dutch team, as was the case for the Rituals pop-up location.
“We divided responsibilities and worked simultaneously, saving significant time,” Tony explains.”
This approach combines the best of both worlds.
“We handled communication with authorities and on-site coordination, while our Dutch colleagues brought the efficiency and results-driven mindset characteristic of Bulsink. Our French partners appreciated this different yet effective approach, facilitated by having a local point of contact.”
With a dedicated office in Paris, Bulsink ensures that construction projects in France run smoothly – for clients, suppliers, and subcontractors alike. Interested in collaborating?