Platform on concrete and steel in construction
Hollandia designs, realizes and maintains complex steel construction (art) works and movement works, such as bridges, locks, dams, storm surge barriers and specials. “We are building more specialized and innovative than ever before,” said Diederik van Rijn, director of Hollandia Infra. “In addition to craftsmanship and knowledge, this requires strong partners to work with. By joining forces and sharing knowledge, we unburden our clients and complete the entire process: from design to turnkey delivery.”
Hollandia Infra and Hollandia Services operate under the Hollandia flag. Whereas Infra focuses on the new construction of steel structures, Services focuses on asset management (major and regular maintenance), renovation, breakdowns and emergencies. Together they cover the full life cycle of steel structures and movement works, with all disciplines - from design and engineering to production, assembly, electrical engineering & installations (E&I) and mechanical engineering - being carried out in-house. Thanks to this unique combination of skilled employees and a strong market position where cooperation, safety and sustainability are paramount, Hollandia is ready for the future. “We are unique in our market segment. We strive to play a leading and prominent role in our market. We do this by using craftsmanship, passion and a healthy dose of perseverance to keep developing in the field of processes and cooperation in the market,” confirms Matthijs de Groot, general director of Hollandia Services.
An immense renewal and renovation (V&R) task awaits the Netherlands in the coming decades. Hundreds of steel structures - bridges, locks and barriers - are reaching the end of their lifespan and must be renewed or renovated. Hollandia is investing heavily to be well prepared for this. It is expanding its production facilities to be able to build and assemble XL bridges entirely under its own management. This increases its strength and flexibility for the challenging projects ahead.
In addition to this physical expansion, the company is focusing on five building blocks that provide the foundation for its future. “We invest in people by attracting and retaining skilled colleagues. Through our own company school we train new talent and make the best use of the knowledge of experienced employees.” In the market, the focus is on maintenance and renovation in the Netherlands, while for replacement and new construction, Western Europe in particular is central. “At the same time, we are modernizing our resources, such as facilities, equipment and digital tools, and renewing our methods by digitizing, automating and improving processes. With all this, we want to be a leading employer that offers social added value and is anchored in the region,” De Groot said.
The production site in Krimpen aan den IJssel is located directly on open waterways near the ports of Rotterdam, making it ideal for transport and assembly. Here Hollandia Infra and Hollandia Services combine their expertise into large-scale achievements. “Steel structures and movement works are becoming increasingly imposing, the conditions more challenging,” said Van Rijn. “That forces us to be creative and innovative: in terms of design, engineering, project management, fabrication, conservation, transport and assembly.” In addition to the location in Krimpen, Hollandia Services also has a branch in Friesland, from where projects and calamities in the north of the Netherlands are efficiently served. The proximity enables colleagues to be on site quickly in the event of breakdowns and emergencies, while the shorter travel distances help to reduce the ecological footprint.
Practical examples show the versatility. Among the projects Hollandia Infra completed in 2024 were the Clyde Renfrew Bridge in Scotland, the Schiphol A9 bridges and the innovative self-closing flood barrier at Steyl in Limburg. Recently, together with Rusthoven, it started renewing the moveable parts of the Papendrecht Bridge, commissioned by combination Mobilis and Croonwolter&dros.
Hollandia Services carries out maintenance and renovation projects on bridges, locks and storm surge barriers, among other things. Examples include the Oosterscheldekering and Maeslantkering, renovation of moveable bridges in and around Delft, and the multi-year maintenance of ninety moveable bridges and locks in South Holland (together with Croonwolter&dros and Arcadis). It also carries out the ROGO2 contract for the City of Amsterdam: the maintenance of a large number of moveable bridges and locks.
“Technology and capacity are important, but ultimately relationships and people determine the success of our company. Working closely with clients, partners and suppliers, we are in a rock-solid position to take on the V&R task ahead,” De Groot and Van Rijn said.
