Study trip to Marseille: Infosteel creates momentum in Belgian steel construction

As a trade association, Infosteel is working hard to support the Belgian steel construction market. By sharing knowledge, building strong relationships and successful partnerships, and recently by taking a three-day study trip to Marseille with a group of industry colleagues. Jan van Hapert, general manager of Liemar, was of course there.

Jan: "The boost Infosteel wants to give the Belgian steel construction market fits perfectly with our vision of partnership. Getting to know each other, building trust and growing together. We therefore found it important to participate in the study trip to Marseille. By supporting Infosteel's initiatives, we hope to support Belgian steel builders.'

Horizontal wind turbine

Why Marseille: 'In Fos-sur-Mer, which is close to Marseille, Eiffage Smulders and Eiffage Métal are working on the 'Provence Grand Large' project: an impressive assembly of wind turbines on floaters. It is an innovative pilot in which a floating wind farm will be built, to be operated 17 kilometers off the coast. Three units are now being made for testing.'

'The floats are gigantic structures. During the tour, our group was split in two: one group went under the structure, but my group went over it. I estimate that we went 40 meters up a ladder while the mistral was raging. That's a groundbreaking challenge for someone with a fear of heights, like me. But it was worth it!

Connected by steel

The study tour provided insight into a particularly interesting project, but especially into the possibilities of collaboration in steel building and steel construction. 'Our group consisted of a good reflection of the steel industry. Everyone had a connection with steel in their own way. We got to know each other well in those few days. Of course - besides the work visit - we also got a nice tour of Marseille, had a bite to eat together and toasted to the nice trip. So now we also bonded with each other and so Infosteel is doing exactly what you would expect from an industry organization. It was an excellent pilot and one that tastes like more!