From inspected cranes to sustainable construction units: Rik takes care of it

Rik is responsible for the construction site equipment department. This also has two workshops, where a total of about twenty-five technicians work. He tells us what his working day looks like and how he grew from trainee to construction site equipment manager.

 

Why did you choose to do an internship at Ballast Nedam Materieel?

"That's simple: because Ballast Nedam offered more opportunities than other companies. I studied electrical engineering, but I also wanted to do drawings and learn other things besides electricity. At Ballast Nedam, that was possible. Many companies specialise in one component such as electrics or lifts, but Ballast Nedam has all the elements in-house. From construction units to tower cranes and from data installations to construction fences."

How did you end up at your current position?

"After my internship, I was allowed to work as a fitter and draughtsman in the construction site design department. In 2006, the role of calculator was added and I made budgets for construction sites. A few years later, I became project coordinator and point of contact for the building sites. I was then head of Management & Maintenance for three years and since the end of 2022, I have been working as manager of construction site design."

What does your working day look like?

"Every other week I am at our site in Sittard, but I mainly work in Almere. I am closely involved in the procurement, inspection and maintenance of all equipment for all Ballast Nedam divisions, such as construction and civil engineering. That's the great thing about working at Ballast Nedam Materieel: you get to know all the departments. I often consult with the construction site equipment project coordinator, the heads of the workshops and our HR adviser about the day-to-day business and the recruitment and training of new mechanics. I also get involved in making construction sites more sustainable."

Can you give an example of such investments in sustainability?

"Yes, we installed 2,480 solar panels at our Almere site last summer. We have also switched to new, gas-free building chains. And by 2025, we want our building in Almere to be off gas. Our biggest challenge is in electrifying the construction site, because we are actually getting fewer and fewer electricity connections due to overloading the power grid. This is something we are working hard on."

You have been working at Ballast Nedam for over 20 years. What are you most proud of?

"Together we have completed so many special projects, such as the A15 Maasvlakte-Vaanplein, De Groene Loper in Maastricht and Hart van Zuid. It's great to see all those construction works you contributed to in real life. That's also what makes working in the construction industry this exciting."