In May 2022—about 20 years later—the team marked the anniversary of laying the first stone for Axell’s distinctive headquarters in Diessen.
The Timmermans family business has a legacy that stretches back nearly 90 years. It all started in 1933 in a back room of Café Kerkzicht on Heuvelstraat in Diessen.
From Heuvelstraat to Julianastraat
In 1952, Jo & To Timmermans moved to Julianastraat 1 in Diessen. The site included a residential house, an office building, and a warehouse with a weighbridge. After acquiring farmland behind the premises, they gained the space to build additional warehouses.In the beginning, the business operated from a simple open shed used for storing hay and straw bales. From their new base at Julianastraat, Timmermans expanded the business from forage trading to include paper trading as well. As demand in those markets declined, the company shifted its focus to warehousing and transport—laying the foundation for today’s logistics services.
In 1980, Jo’s son Jan Timmermans took over the company. With his parents stepping back from daily operations, Jan and his family moved into the house on Julianastraat and assumed full responsibility for the business.
As the company grew, the core business shifted from trading straw, hay, and paper to transporting and storing rolls of paper and corrugated cardboard—mainly for Philips. This came with steady investments and team expansion. Two-thirds of the warehouse space adjacent to the office was converted into additional office space.
After the acquisition of In ‘t Veld in Etten-Leur (1993), the launch of Ponetex in Rakoniewice, Poland (1996), and the start of Axell Employment (1999), the number of employees grew—especially in Diessen. Office space above the canteen on Julianastraat was used for transport planning, while staffing agency employees temporarily worked from the house next door.
It soon became clear the office space was no longer sufficient, prompting Jan Timmermans to initiate plans for a new headquarters.
The current Axell headquarters at De Buskes 14 in Diessen is anything but an ordinary office. The design and feel of the building were shaped by Jan and Henriëtte’s shared vision:“We didn’t want a standard office building. We envisioned an open space with lots of natural light, large windows, and a straight, functional layout that connects with nature.”
To gather inspiration, Jan and Henriëtte drove around the region, eventually discovering a new residential development. One of the houses in the area sparked the idea for their future office. The architect was tasked with adapting the house’s design into a professional office building.
Construction didn’t go smoothly. After complications with laying the foundation, the project was paused in 2000. Ultimately, the building was completed in 2002, and the team moved into what remains a unique and inspiring workspace to this day.
Today—20 years later—clients and suppliers still experience the Axell office and surrounding grounds as something special. With a beautifully maintained garden, the location continues to offer a warm and welcoming environment. Want to know more about how we care for the garden? Read our article about the Axell gardens!
