Telescopic concrete pump and distribution mast for high-rise project in heart of Utrecht

Innovative distribution mast grows with construction project

High-rise buildings are on the rise. Skyscrapers are springing up like mushrooms everywhere. This brings challenges for construction companies, for example for the supply of concrete. For the Galaxy Tower in Utrecht, main contractor Ballast Nedam called on Belgian Lifting & Equipment Company to assemble a stationary concrete pump, the piping and a Boom Makina distribution mast, which will grow with the building during the project and will be telescoped every 3 floors. The specialist from Puurs continues to support the contractor throughout the project and is also responsible for dismantling after the work is completed.

Horizontal piping from the pump toward the distribution mast.

On behalf of De Lelie Vastgoed, Ballast Nedam is building the Galaxy Tower, a high-rise project between the railway station and the Jaarbeurs, in the heart of Utrecht. Work on this 92 m high, 30-story tower started in May 2018 and, according to current plans, the new Amräth Galaxy Jaarbeurshotel will open in 2022, good for 266 rooms, 2 restaurants, 3 meeting rooms, a swimming pool, sauna and fitness spread over the lower 7 floors. The other levels will feature a total of 317 free-sector rental apartments, from small studios to penthouses.

Unloading concrete from the mixer into the concrete pump.

"This prestigious building is one of the many high-rise projects, which are in progress or planned all over the Netherlands: residential towers, hotels or office buildings. There is a lot involved and good preparation is therefore crucial for the construction partners. For certain assignments, they call on the knowledge of experienced subcontractors. For example, we are often involved in projects to manage the supply of concrete," says Steven Leenaerts, general manager of Belgian Lifting & Equipment Company (BLE). "We distribute and rent concrete pumps with distribution masts, mobile cranes and construction cranes of several top brands, such as Grove, JMG Cranes, Potain, Betonstar.
Mecbo and Boom Makina. With each project, we listen to the client's needs and then, together with our partners, translate them into an appropriate solution. This is also how we were approached by Ballast Nedam to support this project, which has many challenges both technically and logistically due to its height, as well as its location in the city center."

Stationary concrete pump at ground level.

Concrete pump and telescopic distribution mast

The specialists of Belgian Lifting & Equipment Company first gathered all the necessary information about volumes, distances, location, planning, etc., and proposed a total concept with a stationary concrete pump and a Boom Makina brand distribution mast type BHD 32 + 4. The plant was assembled on site in May and the first pumping took place at the end of June. "When designing such plants, we can rely on the expert support of manufacturer Boom Makina. This Turkish specialist has been developing and producing concrete distribution towers since 1990. The BHD series is a showpiece among the distribution towers and is also continuously optimized to respond even better to customers' needs," Leenaerts said. "In Utrecht, as in other projects, the concrete pump, pipes and distribution mast were perfectly matched to each other for optimal results. We also continue to assist the customer during the construction process, as the distribution mast will grow with the building and is telescoped every 3 floors. We also provide maintenance, carry out any repairs and will dismantle the entire installation once the work is completed."