IN THE HEART OF THE NETHERLANDS Since the beginning of this century Andus Group has been located in Eindhoven. Due to continuous expansion of the business and the reachability of the location, Vianen will be home to our new head quarters. CEO Tom van Rijn says about the
with an annual revenue of around
anonymous office tower would
relocation: "The cradle of Andus
€ 220 million and just short of
not suit our company. And so our
Group lies in Southeast Brabant,
900 employees in 15 operating
search led us to Vianen..."
in Budel at RijnDijk Staalgroep
companies. From Budel to Schagen,
at the time. However, since 1997
from Antwerp to Leeuwarden, from
Atmospheric premises
a lot has changed. In 1998 for
Hoogvliet to Zaltbommel."
"There we found a golden opportunity. We were able to rent a
example our revenue amounted to € 11 million and we employed 100
Where to?
gorgeous, fully renovated national
staff in four operating companies.
"Although the operating compa-
monument from 1807 with enough
In 2014 Andus Group has grown
nies are independently operating
office and parking space, right
to be an international enterprise
entities, there are several areas that
there in the historic city centre!
require us to stay in close contact
It had originally been built as a
as a group. For example our QHSE
home but since 1894 it had housed
policy. Contact between the opera-
the cantonal court and a police
ting companies themselves is also
station. Colossal was our first
intensifying. As the years went by,
response. Yet, the square footage
the need for a more central head
is a bit short of what we have now,
office grew. To simplify contacts
which also means that our housing
and increase reachability. But
costs will be reduced. But what
where to?"
an atmosphere! And rightfully so, because it is going to hurt a little
Hub
to leave our atmospheric spot in
"It was clear that we had to look
Eindhoven - with a magnificent
in the vicinity of Utrecht. Just try
view of the Evoluon. It is happe-
to draw some connecting lines
ning mid October. That is when
between the branches; you will
Andus Group will open its doors
end up there. Also, the region
in Vianen, in the heart of the
contains the primary traffic hub of
Netherlands."
the Netherlands: the A1, A2, A12 and A27 all meet in that location. Finally, our minds were set on an independent office location. An
van voorden m ariti m e •
van voorden c astings •
HSM OFFSHORE •
G O U D A V U U R VA S T S E R V I C E S •
G O U D A V U U R VA S T B E L G I U M •
G O U D A F euerfest deuts c h l and •
GOUDA REFR AC TORIES •
R I J N D I J K Constru c tion •
L E N G K E E K S TA A LB O U W •
iss proje c ts •
H S M S tee l S tru c tures •
FIB INDUSTRIES •
A r m ada R ai l •
A r m ada Mo b i l ity •
A r m ada J anse •
ANDUS GROUP SERVING THE INDUSTRY
volume 4 | no. 2 | October 2014
SIX WEEKS OF HARD WORK Zeeland Refinery at the Vlissingen-Oost industrial zone is one of five Dutch oil refineries. Seven days a week every hour 1 million litre of crude oil is transported to the refinery through a pipeline from the Maasvlakte. This equals a lorry every 2 minutes. However, just before the summer this supply line came to a halt. The refinery was closed for six weeks for large-scale maintenance. Gouda Vuurvast Services was contracted for several maintenance activities including demolition and re-construction of the 'crude furnace' and the sulphur pit. Heavy duty under a lot of time pressure. Once every five/six years any
task distributions. But not just
care of. Without any conces-
ship arises and the assignment
refinery requires a large-scale
that. Our colleagues from Slovakia
sions. Only then our employees
is executed according to the exact
maintenance stop. This stop was
were extensively instructed on
can be expected to come to work
planning. Another job well done
the largest to date for Zeeland
safety in a petrochemical environ-
refreshed and care-free in the
together.
Refinery. And as each idle hour
ment and technically trained to
morning. A feeling of comrade-
equals an astronomical produc-
execute the activities planned. It
tion and therefore revenue loss,
is time for action! Hard work in
the activities must be performed
two 12 hour shifts, 7 days a week,
according to a tight 24/7 sche-
six weeks in a row. Hard labour
dule. None of the 3,000 (!)
and also six weeks without going
people involved in maintenance
home ...
activities had a single minute to lose. Among that group there
Excellent planning
were 80 people representing
This human aspect is also
Gouda Vuurvast Services, with
addressed extensively, though it
a significant delegation from
is not often highlighted. Gouda
sister company ISS Projects from
Vuurvast Services is all about
Slovakia.
being a good and responsible employer. The safety of our
As a military operation
employees is our number one
In a project like this, everything
priority which means they need
has to be prepared in detail. This
to be well-supported during a
refers to the technical execution
project like this. It means their
but also human resources. With
housing must be in order, and
elaborate team schedules and clear
transportation and food is taken
TOGETHER WE CROSS BORDERS Gouda Refractories, Gouda Vuurvast Services and FIB Industries belong to the top of the market and are market leaders in various segments. The products, knowledge and skills of these Andus companies are applied all over the world. And though the companies have highly valued clients in Germany, the number of projects with our neighbours remains limited. This is about to change! In July 2014 a joint sales office opened its doors in Bochum. After the USA and Japan, Germany
Close collaboration
on refractory products, Mark on
is the strongest economy in the
In order to approach this market in
Gouda Vuurvast Services' services
world in terms of technology and
a structured manner, the German
and Ruurd will be representing
the most sophisticated producer of
sales office was opened in Bochum
FIB in selling process and pressure
iron, steel, coal, concrete, chemi-
- at the heart of the Ruhr area.
containing equipment. And though
cals, machines, vehicles and food
There Jeannette Beneke, Darius
they each have their own specia-
products among other things. It
Grofik, Mark Scheltes and Ruurd
lisms and network: they constantly
goes without saying that with all
Schut are working closely together
keep each other informed on deve-
these industries and 82 million
to serve the German clients as well
lopments and opportunities in the
inhabitants, the German petroche-
as possible. Jeannette is a fixed
market. Real teamwork. Viel Erfolg!
mical, non-ferro, and energy and
point of contact in the office. She is
waste processing markets are also
German and remains unequalled
gigantic. These are the exact fields
in her ability to maintain client
of expertise of the Gouda compa-
contacts and support the sales reps
nies and FIB.
working in the field. Darius focuses
Above, from left to right: Darius Grofik, Mark Scheltes en Jeannette Beneke. Below: Ruurd Schut.
CRAFT-MADE IMAGE in SOUTH-AFRICA In 2012, around 3 billion (!) litre of beer was consumed in South-Africa. This brings the country right up to the top 10 of largest beer markets in the world and it will not be long before South-Africa solidifies its position on this chart. Recent figures are showing that it is also the fastest growing market in the world. FIB Industries is very aware of this and has now set its first strides in this important market, thanks to an assignment from brewery SABMiller. South African Breweries (SAB)
Well-composed
various hose reels, and is placed
was founded in 1985. After the 90s of the 20th century, SAB
Although South-Africa consti-
inside a small truck. The beer
tutes a gigantic beer market, the
tanks have a beautiful copper
began expanding in Europe. In
concept of 'cellar beer' is not yet
finish which gives the tanks -
2002, Miller Brewing Company
part of the culture. This is about
visible from the outside through
was acquired which gave rise to
to change. FIB is starting a pilot
a hatch - the craft-made character
the current name, SABMiller. The
project for SABMiller, supplying
of an authentic brewery. This will
company took over Grolsch in
five bars in Cape Town with a
contribute to swift acceptance of
2008 and is currently the second
cellar beer installation. To trans-
the ‘cellar beer’ concept in this
largest brewery in the world,
port the fresh beer from the
market. All in all a solid example
active in six continents. The
brewery to the client, FIB has
of product development.
brewery has six beer brands posi-
developed a special 'skid'. This
tioned in the top fifty of most sold
skid is equipped with two beer
beers in the world.
tanks, an operating system and
Armada Rail is READY FOR THE FUTURE Armada Rail combines dozens of years of expertise and experience in terms of products for the rail infrastructure market; from overhead line components and traction poles to wheel tensioners and (power supply and relay) cabinets. In response to the changing market, Armada Rail underwent a reorganisation in 2014. The company maintains the profile of a certified rail specialist, but will be outsourcing production. The last few years have been
Joining forces
tough on the rail infrastructure
Confronted with these circum-
market. Large projects such as the
stances, Armada Rail has gone
Betuweroute and the Hanzelijn have
through a careful process of stra-
been completed and there is no pros-
tegic re-orientation. In the future,
pect of any similar projects in the
the company will be leveraging the
future. Meanwhile more and more
power of Andus Group. Armada
players are entering the market,
Rail and Armada Mobility - now
including from abroad, fighting for
joined together in the same buil-
their market share. To be able to
ding - will be collaborating closely
withstand these developments, the
in terms of engineering, sales, work
cost price must remain as low as
preparation/support, assembly and
possible. This requires large-scale
installation. Production alone will
production investments such as new
be outsourced to specialised manu-
machines and knowledge. Using the
facturers. Armada Mobility is fully
latest production resources usually
certified for rail-related activities
but will also diversify to larger
wishes and requirements in the
leads to a much higher efficiency.
and meets all safety requirements
construction works for the infra-
market efficiently. As a reliable
However, such investments are only
set by ProRail. Armada Rail main-
structure market. The company
and f lexible partner with solid rail
profitable and useful if the future
tains ultimate responsibility and
will also remain focused on the
infrastructure expertise.
holds enough volume. Another fact
has therefore renewed its ISO 9001
development and engineering of
is that Armada Rail manifested
and obtained NEN EN 1090 certi-
rail products and is seeking colla-
itself in realising small volumes
fication.
boration/partnerships with third parties. The latter will especially
with great operational diversity. This however does not offer sufficient
Reliable and flexible
lead to the best possible combi-
continuity to operate a production
Armada Rail sees great opportuni-
nations of specialisms, allowing
facility of its own.
ties in the existing product range
Armada Rail to anticipate the
Armada Janse: lean and mean The free European market is a great good. In any case it keeps the entrepreneur sharp. Because in almost any segment, Eastern European providers are entering the market with extremely low prices. It is impossible to fully comply to their pricing. Still, it forces one to remain critical of one's own organisation. To ensure it is as streamlined as possible. And to clearly communicate one's added value. This is exactly what drives Armada Janse. Anyone can produce and install a
systems, illuminated adverti-
With international appeal
light box. But to ensure the new
sing and media façades in the
It is no surprise that Armada Janse
Philips logo is installed on top of
Netherlands, Armada Janse
has executed many appealing
the Breitner tower in Amsterdam
clearly manages to persuade
projects for high-profile clients.
at a height of 75 metres, is al
its clients of its added value. A
For example the Philips logo, logos
whole other ballgame. It is not
deep level of technical expertise
and LED strips at the Tango gas
very complicated to produce a
ensures that the most complex
stations, all communications at the
light column, but making sure
projects are executed successfully
OK stations, the signage at CZ or
that dozens of gas stations are
and all aspects are taken care of;
the signage, light adverts and media
fitted with pricing columns, while
from design to production and
façade at Volvo Netherlands. Also the
taking care of everything inclu-
from installation to repair service.
marketing communications at 441
ding permits, foundation, opera-
With short resolution times,
ABN AMRO cash machines and at
ting system and clear commu-
capacity for large-scale implemen-
Suzuki, VW, Audi, Seat and Skoda
nication of the brand name, is
tations, a reliable service and, yes,
dealers. Let alone all the signage at
something else. Not to mention an
competitive prices. The company
Mitsubishi dealers all over Europe.
appealing design.
has actually become 'lean and
And finally: the illuminated signage
mean', especially after its reloca-
at Damen Shipyards in Vietnam...
Complete and reliable
tion to a new, modern and more
not bad!
As one of the largest - if not the
efficient production location in
largest - producer of signage
Budel.
Van Voorden UPS THE DIAMETER As a result of high oil product demand and high price levels, deep sea oil drilling has become more economically viable. But it is not easy. Because though the average depth in the North Sea is 95 metres, the oil fields off the coast of Brazil remain at a depth of 5 kilometres. Drilling platforms that are fixed into the seabed are not an option there. The solution? Floating platforms. But how does one keep such a construction in its place even during the heaviest of storms? Right! With Van Voorden ship propellers. A floating offshore platform is fitted
propellers. That's right, for a plat-
produced in series and will be
with its own 'propulsive engine'
form that will be located off the
transported to Hamburg by special
to prevent it from floating away.
coast of Brazil.
transportation as of July 2015. After
So-called rotatable thrusters - a type
last year's order of extremely heavy
of tube with propellers fitted inside
What a monster
stainless steel propellers, these ones
- can be set to any direction which
Delivering six propellers sounds
are the number one when it comes
ensures that the platform remains
easy enough. But look at the
to diameter for this year. But as far
in the correct position (dynamic
dimensions of them.... each with a
as Van Voorden is concerned, this
positioning). The international
diameter of 4.6 metres. That is the
is not the end of the line. We can go
enterprise Flowserve Corporation
height of a giraffe! Each propeller
even bigger in the future. This will
produces such thrusters and the
is composed of nickel-aluminium-
be addressed in a next edition of
German branch has assigned Van
bronze and weighs around 7000
Andustry news.
Voorden Castings to deliver six
kg. These shining products are
Andustry news IS a n A NDUS G R O U P p u b l i c a t io n Andustry news appears several times a y e a r. T h e p u b l i c a t i o n a i m s a t k e e p i n g employees, clients and suppliers informed of developments within Andus Group.
ED I T O R I A L C O M M I TTEE K r i s Rooi j akk e r s Li n d a Dam s Ni e l s Wi b i e r
L A Y - O UT a n d P r o d u c t io n H O W c omm u n i c a t i e | c r e a t i e
ED I T O R I A L A DDRESS V oo r s t r aa t 5 6 413 2 A S V ia n e n
ANDUS GROUP BV Vianen / TEL . +31 (0)30 - 211 58 0 0
Armada Janse BV Budel / Tel . +31 (0)40 - 256 19 11
Armada Mobilit y BV Nieuwegein / Tel . +31 (0)30 - 246 95 0 0
Armada Rail BV Nieuwegein / Tel . +31 (0)30 - 246 95 92
FIB INDUSTRIES BV LEEUWARDEN / TEL . +31 (0)58 - 294 59 45
HSM STEEL STRUCTURES BV SCHIEDAM / TEL . +31 (0)10 - 427 92 0 0
iss projec t s sro KoŠice / TEL . + 42 155 729 92 27
LENGKEEK STA ALBOUW BV HOOGVLIET RT / TEL . +31 (0)10 - 416 16 4 4
RIJNDIJK CONSTRUCTION BV EINDHOVEN / Budel / Schagen TEL . +31 (0)40 - 246 72 28
GOUDA Feuerfest Deut schl and GmbH Bochum / TEL . + 49 (0)2154 - 888 70 0
GOUDA REFR ACTORIES BV GOUDA / Geldermal sen TEL . +31 (0)182 - 59 14 0 0
GOUDA VUURVA ST BELGIUM NV WIJNEGEM / TEL . +32(0)3 - 326 57 0 0
GOUDA VUURVA ST SERVICES BV GOUDA / TEL . +31 (0)182 - 59 14 0 0
HSM OFFSHORE BV SCHIEDAM / TEL . +31 (0)10 - 427 92 0 0
van voorden c a stings bv z altbommel / TEL . +31 (0)418 - 57 12 0 0
van voorden maritime bv z altbommel TEL . +31 (0)418 - 57 12 0 0