Expertly automating manual tasks in the concrete industry

Olthof Groep BV from the Dutch town of Sappemeer is a family business owned by the Olthof brothers. They have become a major player in the production of concrete, precast concrete elements, aggregates, sand and gravel. They are also active in the intake of railroad ballast as well as transport and rental of both machines and containers. A recent collaboration with Echo Precast Engineering led to the installation of a high-tech plotter and concrete dredger, allowing faster and more precise work with less manpower.

Livestock producers become concrete producers

Initially, the company was only active in livestock farming, purchasing a concrete plant to produce their own concrete elements for the expansion of their own infrastructure. With the establishment of Olthof Prefab, they increasingly focused on the production of concrete stacking blocks and prestressed hollow-core slabs for third parties. In 2019, with the construction of a second concrete plant, they said goodbye to livestock farming for good and concentrated exclusively on concrete.

Technological marvels

To further optimize their production processes, they contacted Echo Precast Engineering NV of Houthalen-Helchteren, Belgium. They develop, produce and install machines and installations worldwide for the production of prestressed concrete elements. A thorough analysis of the specific needs and possibilities led to the installation of an ultra-precise automatic SmartJet® plotter for Weep Hole Drilling and a high-performance concrete dredger.

More precision and security

According to the basic data from the architect and structural engineer, Olthof Prefab works out the laying plan and calculates the floor elements. The new plotter marks the elements and marks the drawn recesses, built-in features and saw cuts as they come out of the extruder. Dewatering holes are included in the process automatically. The plotter can mark geometric figures, letters, numbers and even logos on the top and sides, and communication with the plotter is via USB or WiFi. Thanks to the plotter, human error resulting in wrong drill holes is eliminated. Indeed, re-manufacturing an incorrect hollow-core slab is an expensive business resulting in double creation, transportation and crane costs.

The concrete vacuum cleaner is placed behind the plotter and, after marking, sucks away the excess concrete at the level of the drains, open channels, chimney openings, hammer heads and column recesses. The concrete vacuum also cleans the tracks of the course. Through the speed and precision of work and the saving of some jobs without significant added value, Olthof Prefab already increases its efficiency during the production process. Both machines are available in both standard and customized versions. All in all, a smart investment that pays for itself quickly!

Roeland Reenaers, Area Sales Manager at Echo Precast Engineering: "What I especially remember from this fine and smooth cooperation with Olthof is the constructive interaction when exchanging ideas in order to reach an optimal solution."

Frank Arkema, Company Manager at Olthof Prefab BV puts it this way: "This excellent cooperation with Echo Precast Engineering enables us to take a great step forward in scaling up and automating our production processes."