Landen-Hannuit, Plopsaqua | Iron in Steel

The second Plopsa water park in Belgium is starting to take shape. The contours of the new water park in Landen-Hannuit are already clearly visible. As the permanent partner of Plopsa, Solid Building Overpelt (SBO) is responsible for the steel structure of the hall in which the new water park will be built. The facade cladding, the roof and all decorative elements in steel also come from SBO.

Solid Building Overpelt is a well-known player in the construction sector. The independent family business has been realizing the most diverse industrial buildings and steel constructions for more than forty years. "We have our own philosophy," says Managing Director Kris Rutten. "Our customers have only one point of contact for each project, a driven project engineer who takes care of the complete follow-up and coordination. He is responsible for sales, price calculation, engineering and work preparation, as well as purchasing, coordination and supervision of the total project. This way of working and actively thinking along with and providing added value for the customer means that we spend 70 to 80% of our time annually working on projects for regular customers, including Plopsa."

The second Plopsa water park in Belgium is beginning to take shape.

Total Overview

The first ideas for Plopsaqua in Landen-Hannuit date back several years. Rutten: "We have been working on this project for two years. We therefore treat each project as if it were its own development. Because of the time and energy we effectively put into it, working together is more like working with partners than working for a client. The original idea is therefore continually optimized during the design phase, while we always maintain an overview both in terms of cost and time. The latter is especially important for Plopsa, as the opening date is communicated to the press at an early stage. We cannot afford delays. That's why we are taking part in the construction team. Our opinion is also sought on matters over which we have no direct influence. We are happy to commit to that. A substantially different role than most companies assume."

In addition to Plopsa, a number of progressive companies are among SBO's regular customers.

Decorative elements

In addition to the steel structure for the hall, Rutten says, there is also a lot of structural steel involved for the decorative elements in the water park. "It is anything but a straightforward swimming pool. Plopsa is known for its specific appearance with often unknown and deviating shapes, for which a complex steel structure often forms the basis. That's where we make a difference. We therefore work extensively on steel structures for amusement parks and the entertainment sector. Our 6,000 m² workshop is particularly well equipped, including a CNC-controlled sawing and drilling unit, fire table and punch-cutting machine. But also with high-end welding equipment, an automatic blasting machine and an in-house spraying unit; ingenious tools to protect each component individually against corrosion and provide it with the desired color and paint thickness. Fully compliant with legal standards and regulations."

SBO is responsible for the realization of the steel structure of the hall in which the new water park will be realized.

In addition to Plopsa, a number of progressive companies are among SBO's regular clients. "For example, we helped build Nike's distribution center, we regularly build office buildings and research laboratories, including all the techniques, and we are now building the 23rd mega-chicken shed for a client in Germany. Our unique approach pays off, we may surely conclude."

The contours of the new water park in Landen-Hannuit are already clearly visible.