Progressive construction partner always looking for 'best for project'

Working out the complete structural shell at the front end and mapping out how construction flows intertwine and what the best construction method is. That is what De Kock Betonbouw does at the execution level, with 3D designs of execution methods of all formwork types and supports used on the construction site. Tim Conrads, project manager at De Kock: "It allows us to identify and resolve bottlenecks that are normally eliminated in the construction phase with custom solutions in advance. It also provides insight into the correct material quantities. This allows us to build projects more efficiently. In doing so, we work with regular partners such as Hendriks, Layher, Peri and Doka."

Conrads: "We sit down with the customer at the front to determine the best construction method and use our expertise to think about smart solutions. For example, in projects we make special wall boxes, such as a T-shape or angled corners, with which we can pour a constructive concrete wall with the angled wall attached in one go. In total, this saves us pouring days and thus construction time."

'Opinionated, in a positive way'

A tad headstrong. That's how Layher's engineers describe the De Kock brothers. "De Kock Betonbouw is not satisfied with standard applications, but is constantly looking at where customers can benefit," Wilbert Strijtveen explains. "This is also how the Layher support system was conceived five years ago on our construction sites." That Layher's all-round system could also be used as support scaffolding was in itself nothing new. There was even some documentation of that already on the shelf. "But the standard method as stated in the booklets did not quite fit Leen de Kock's street. He had his own ideas about how he wanted to use the system." So in recent years, the applications of Layher's modular system have continued to expand within De Kock. "Both Leen and his brother Martin are always looking at what is possible. What can we do with the system that customers can benefit from? They are very opinionated, but in a positive way."

Some examples

1. Bridge construction at Van der Valk

"We can use Layher's system to build spans in hard-to-reach places," Conrads said. "We did that, for example, in the construction of the Van der Valk hotel in Lelystad. Because of the enormous entrance staircase in the hall, we could no longer place scaffolding here. So we built a bridge structure no less than 12 meters high and 15 meters wide. This way we could still support the second floor properly."

2. Scaffoldless construction at The Ox

"We used the system at The Ox in Osdorp to build scaffold-free," he says. "By applying edge tables on the open bays and end-gable scaffolding on the end wall, we ensured that our mechanics could work safely at height. Once the structure was sufficiently solid, we placed the complete support with a C-hook integral one floor up. This allowed the assembly of the facade elements to begin as early as the structural phase."

3. Cantilevered support at Carolina Parc

At Carolina Parc project, the system came in handy to support some giant balconies and gallery slabs weighing more than 12 tons, Conrads says. "Here we also had to support facade ties, which extended 13 meters outside the facade structure. With Layher's TwixBeam system, we were able to hold this large span between two walls along the outside firmly in place."

'De Kock acts as partner'

Van Wijnen is a large company that ranks among the top five builders in the Netherlands. "There are therefore quite a few requirements that we place on our subcontractors," says Nick Dijkhof of Van Wijnen Amsterdam. "Important to us are speed, quality and safety, but also that a subcontractor acts as a partner. Many parties sell themselves that way, but end up not keeping that promise. I think that De Kock did act this way: always looking for a solution, not just whining about money and really doing it together."