Platform on concrete and steel in construction
A new phase is beginning for Avezaat Staal. The family-owned business from Vlaardingen, which specializes in steel cutting for sectors including offshore, ship repair, mechanical engineering, and infrastructure, is moving to a new production facility that is four times larger than its current location.
The move is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2026 and, according to owner-manager Barend Avezaat, will lay the foundation for further growth, greater efficiency, and a significant increase in the sustainability of the company’s operations.
Although the new location offers plenty of opportunities, Avezaat also looks back on leaving the current building with a touch of nostalgia. “A piece of our company’s history lies here. But at the same time, this move gives us the opportunity to actually bring our plans for the future to life.”
Due to the company’s growth and the increasing demand for fast delivery and a wide range of steel products, the current location was increasingly becoming a bottleneck. “We’ve actually been reaching our limits for about seven years now,” says Avezaat. “Not just in terms of storage, but also in logistics and our ability to serve new customers.” The new facility offers a solution to this. The larger floor space provides more room for storage, production, and internal logistics. Materials can largely be processed and stored indoors, which not only improves efficiency but also enhances product quality.
“At our new location, we can organize the flow of goods much more efficiently. This ensures that materials move through the process faster and that we can serve our customers even better than we already do.”
In addition to the extra capacity, sustainability is a key driver behind the move. The company is investing heavily in solar panels, energy storage, and energy-saving measures. The goal is to generate a significant portion of the energy it needs on-site while reducing its reliance on fossil fuels. “We want to move away from fossil fuels as much as possible. The new location gives us the space to make major strides in that direction,” says Avezaat. The company is also exploring alternatives within the production process. For oxy-fuel cutting of steel, the company is investigating the use of hydrogen as a replacement for traditional fossil gases. Thanks to technological advancements and the growing availability of hydrogen in the Rotterdam region, Avezaat sees increasing opportunities in this area. “For a large portion of the materials we cut, hydrogen is now both technically and economically feasible. That offers promise for the future.”
In addition, the company is investing in modern exhaust systems, filtration, and energy-efficient equipment. Through these measures, the company aims to significantly reduce emissions of particulate matter, nitrogen, and CO2. According to Avezaat, this could reduce the overall environmental impact by tens of percent compared to the current situation.
Sustainability isn’t the only priority. Working conditions for employees also receive a great deal of attention. Avezaat Staal is known as a close-knit family business with a remarkably long average tenure among its employees. “Retaining good people starts with a pleasant work environment. More space, better air quality, and more efficient processes all contribute to job satisfaction.”
The new location also offers room for further automation. Modern cutting machines are taking over more and more measurement and inspection tasks, allowing for more efficient operations and reducing waste. At the same time, according to Avezaat, craftsmanship remains an indispensable factor within the company.
With its move to the new location, Avezaat Staal is laying a solid foundation for the future—a future in which growth, innovation, and sustainability go hand in hand. “When we look back in five years, I hope we’ll be generating more than half of our own energy, working even more efficiently, and having further expanded our customer base. This move is an important first step toward that goal.”
