The pivotal role of project coordination in the success of wide slab floors

At De Hoop Pekso, part of Group De Hoop, everything revolves around connection: between materials, processes and people. The project team surrounding the production and delivery of wide slab floors proves how crucial that connection is. We talk to Head of Sales René Verstraete and Head of Engineering Johan van Geel about the strength of wide slab floors, the importance of project coordination and the advantages of long-term cooperation with construction companies.

Wide slab floors as the backbone Of construction

“The wide slab floor is the ideal solution in many projects,” Van Geel begins. “We produce a reinforced precast floor with a
concrete shell 50 to 70 millimeters thick, equipped with lattice girders and plate reinforcement. The laying is followed by the installation phase and then the pouring, with which we create a robust floor that is both soundproof and structurally strong.”

What makes this solution so powerful? According to Van Geel, it is primarily the customization: “Each plate is specifically engineered. So there are no standard solutions. Our own engineers perform all the calculations. This allows us to respond exactly to the project requirements and at the same time to quickly communicate with the customer.”

From preparation to execution

The real key to success, however, is not only in engineering, but in coordination. Verstraete explains, “Our project coordinators play a central role between the customer, commercial department, engineering and execution. They are involved from the first phase, supervise the technical coordination and ensure that information reaches the right people on time and in full. This prevents errors and delays.”

That close involvement pays off, especially with complex projects in inner-city areas. “Think logistical constraints, limited storage space and just-in-time deliveries,” Verstraete continues. “Our project coordinators make sure we anticipate these. We go beyond delivery; we like to think actively with our customer.”

Collaboration as a foundation for quality

A successful construction project is not a sum of separate achievements, but the result of intensive cooperation. “We consciously invest in long-term relationships with construction companies that also go for quality and continuity,” Van Geel states. “Then you know what you can gain from each other. Cooperation then goes beyond just technical coordination. You develop a joint rhythm.”

That partnership is evaluated after every major project. “We always ask ourselves: what went well, where can we improve? That learning attitude keeps us on our toes,” Verstraete said. “That's how we ensure that we can again make a difference in future projects.”

Proud of the result

Whether it's thousands of square feet of wide slab flooring or smaller inner-city projects: “It's special to know that many families live on our floors. That's more than concrete, but a
contribution to home comfort and quality,” Van Geel concluded.

About The Hope Pekso

De Hoop Pekso is a manufacturer and supplier of structural products, from foundation elements to wide slab floors, EPS solutions and reinforcing steel. With strong engineering capabilities, integrated work preparation and project coordination, the company offers construction partners the guarantee of reliability, flexibility and craftsmanship.