Interview with NVAF director Jaap Estié 

'The future of the foundation industry requires alertness and constant action'

The Nederlandse Vereniging Aannemers Funderingswerken (NVAF) plays a crucial role in further professionalizing the foundation sector. Jaap Estié, director of the NVAF, says legislation and sustainability remain important themes that fundamentally affect the sector. "We see increasingly far-reaching legislation and regulations, especially around sustainability. Think of stricter requirements for cleaner foundation machines and the question of how to use them sustainably. But those requirements, in turn, also lead to new challenges for our members."

For example, rapid technological development is not always in step with the pace at which companies can act. Foundation machines are often used for decades, but due to stricter environmental requirements, they have to become ever cleaner. However, what entrepreneur who needs to make an investment can look that far ahead? "That is indeed incredibly difficult, but it is a crucial issue," says Estié. "We see electrification of these machines as a big trend. Fine! But ... it then requires on-site access to a good electrical grid on the construction site. Can that also be provided? Or do you have to go back to the alternative, the diesel generator? Who knows may say. There is a degree of uncertainty in that area when you talk about the investments that need to be made."

Furthermore, the foundation sector is struggling with a tight labor market. Estié emphasizes the importance of well-trained professionals: "Moreover, we are asking a lot more of the people who will be working in our profession, for example in the field of safety. To support that, we work closely with the Funderingsvakschool and our own Training Working Group." Foundation repair is also receiving increasing attention, including from politicians. Foundations could fulfill more functions than just providing bearing capacity. "For example, a foundation could also act as a barrier or even a heat exchanger," Estié explains. "Yes, you could call this Fundering-Plus. These interesting and innovative developments offer plenty of opportunities for the industry!"

Sustainability reporting and overregulation

Another important theme is - how could it be otherwise - sustainability. In line with European legislation, the NVAF worked on a so-called "Golden Template" for sustainability reporting (CSRD). This template helps companies to clearly document their sustainability initiatives, making it easier for them to demonstrate compliance with European standards. "The advantage of this is that smaller companies in the chain, which often supply the big guys, no longer have to fill out dozens of surveys themselves. We aim to work together as an industry to create a standard," Estié explains. "Our template then becomes the basis." 

However, overregulation in the industry remains a major concern. "Yes, we are over-regulated in our country," Estié argues. "Look at the safety aspect: of course this is important. But let us not forget that practicality for companies should not be forgotten either." As for the Schoof administration, Estié is cautiously optimistic, by the way. "There seems to be a positive wind blowing when it comes to construction projects, but it remains to be seen whether this is actually implemented. The delay surrounding the nitrogen measures gives some hope to be able to start building (more) after all, but at the same time we are still dealing with the consequences of years of policy. A new captain will also never succeed in turning the supertanker around right away. It is always one step at a time."

Continuity and professionalization in 2025

Although NVAF has not set concrete goals for 2025, the organization continues to work to professionalize the sector. Estié: "We try to keep communicating our stories and sharing our knowledge, both nationally and internationally. Through our European sister organizations, we worked together on innovative tools such as a CO2 calculation tool for foundation projects. This helps companies measure the sustainability of their projects and is proving to be a good foundation for the future. Indeed, it is a tool that is already widely appreciated." The NVAF is also continuing to review a variety of guidelines and is working on a minimum quality level for foundation repair. "We want to continue to improve the industry, with an emphasis on professionalization and collaboration. That's our mission for 2025 and beyond," Estié concludes. "But it is not that we have formulated an end date. After all, it is and will remain an ongoing process. The future simply requires alertness and ultimately constant action."