Ton Groeneweg, NVAF: 'We need to stand up more for our profession'

The Nederlandse Vereniging Aannemers Funderingswerken (NVAF) is committed to professionalizing its own association. With this it wants to make strokes to put the foundation sector more on the map in the coming years.

"Every day is a day of developments. Sitting still is not one of them. That's why you have to make sure you're on the front line." Speaking is Ton Groeneweg, president of the NVAF. The association represents the interests of foundation contractors, foundation equipment owners and related companies. According to Groeneweg, it is run or stand still in the industry. "First we had the crisis, the last two years there was another run on foundation companies to catch up with the construction backlog and now everything is coming to a standstill again because of the nitrogen issue and PFAS. This is crippling developments in our industry in terms of investment and personnel."

Being there from the beginning

There is a lot on the plate of the association and its members. And that's not counting current developments such as the nitrogen issue and PFAS. As an association, the NVAF must move with all developments. For example, it recently professionalized by appointing a director and secretariat. "That gives room to develop activities and enter into collaborations with related parties. Cooperation and joining forces are becoming more and more important. Foundation companies are still too much a product that is only purchased at the last minute. However, we want to be much more involved from the beginning. That is also important, because so much happens under the ground. Foundation companies have the expertise and experience of possible underground risks. Reason why we now also welcome related companies such as engineering firms, developers, suppliers and data agencies as members." The professionalization of the association also gives room to go public more often. Not only to enter into partnerships, but also, according to Groeneweg, to "stand up more for our own profession and our own people in the form of, among other things, our own collective bargaining agreement.

Added value in sustainability

In addition to expertise on underground risks, foundation companies can also add value when it comes to sustainability. Groeneweg sees this in two ways; on the one hand, in the sense of reducing CO₂-emissions, on the other hand innovate in the field of machinery and technology. "Traditionally, a lot of concrete and steel has been used. By using recycled concrete, among other things, but also by using less heavy piles, you can reduce CO₂-emissions. Sustainability also means innovating in foundation techniques. Consider the installation of hollow geothermal foundation piles that can be used for sustainable heating systems. Technical developments must be faster. As an industry, we are not at the forefront of automation. There is still a lot to be gained there too, which makes it one of the points of attention for us as an association for the coming years."