Offsetting personnel shortages through innovation and industrialisationWim Jochems, General manager at Hendriks precon
Digitalisation – the whole world seems to be talking about it. But how does digitalisation affect the construction industry? Naturally there are multiple answers to this question. One of these answers can be found at Hendriks precon where digitalisation is translated into innovation and industrialisation. We spoke about this with Wim Jochems further to his presentation during the Beton Event conference. The essence of his story is to offset personnel shortages by focusing on industrialisation and innovation.
Anticipating personnel shortages in smart ways
Personnel shortage. It looks like just about every organisation is struggling with this issue. Every day there are stories of companies that are facing staff shortages. This not applies to the construction industry but everywhere within Netherlands Inc. At times foreign employees offer a solution and sometimes it is possible to train or further train personnel. Smarter and increasingly future proof is an approach that reduces the need for labour. And this is precisely the approach that Hendriks precon advocates.
Proven added value
For many years Hendriks precon has been known as a supplier of intelligent and reliable solutions for in-situ projects and for the efficient production of prefab building elements. “In particular, the central feature of our prefab solutions is a mould that is used to process one or more elements. However, in recent years we have started to increasingly focus on automated production systems. These are systems in which the mould is brought to the place where the operations are performed. For example, we recently fully automated a production line for floor elements using a new concept in which the necessary preparations are made horizontally and the concrete is poured vertically. Furthermore, we recently developed a automated production systems for the production of exterior walls. These are typical projects in which innovation, industrialisation and automation seamlessly come together.”
Smart automation solutions
The demand for these types of smart automation solutions is becoming more and more prevalent. “Hendriks precon has a lot to offer in this respect: a wealth of knowledge and experience, references that demonstrate our added value, engineering knowhow and the ability to manage the art of transforming engineering solutions into concrete systems. Of course, everything starts well before this: with the client’s general concept. Often this is still in a phase in which the client is thinking about the strategic importance of a product or product line. Our preference is to be in contact with the client during this phase. Because the principle that applies to industrialisation and automation projects is that the sooner you get together the smoother the project runs and the greater its success. In this initial phase we try to collect as much information as possible together with the client. What will the product look like? How much production space is available? How many workers are there and is the work carried out in shifts? When does the company aim to have the product available on the market? In this phase we try to get answers to these and many other global questions. Here it is important to know the company’s desired level of automation. If these questions are answered we are also able to provide an indicative price for the project.
Engineering
If the client agrees with the indicative price, the engineering work can start. “This is when our engineering team gets down to work,” says Wim Jochems. “The final layout for the rotational system is established and agreed on with the client. In this phase we closely work together with the client and external suppliers. We as much as possible try to leverage the knowledge and experience of all involved parties. As soon as the final layout has been established, the conceptual solution has been reviewed with the client and if necessary some concepts are worked out in detail engineering. This involves preparing a Programme of Requirements that sets out all of the requirements and serves as the starting point for the final proposal.”
A full-service solution
After the final proposal is approved, the plans can be developed. “Based on the engineering, production builds the various components, one after the other, at the client site. Our team completes a test run, commissions the system and looks after handover to the client. We only leave once the system is operating to the full satisfaction of the client. And after that we always stand ready to support the client whenever necessary. This approach, whereby we provide the client with a full-service solution, is characteristic of Hendriks precon and ensures clients benefit to the maximum possible extent from the solution we develop for them.”
If you would like to know more,
contact Hendriks precon to make an appointment to obtain more information!