CORPORATE
Asociados:
VISION
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING AND SPECIALIZED CONSTRUCTION WITH SOLID GLOBAL SUPPORT With a wide presence across Central America, Rodio Swissboring is an outstanding partner for the civil engineering and energy sectors, taking care of specialized tasks in underground construction, maritime engineering and tunneling
Rodio Swissboring 60 aĂąos LATAM
Written by Mateo Rafael Tablado
Produced by Jassen Pintado
Interviewee Federico Rosenberg, CEO
Rodio Swissboring
R
Construction
odio Swissboring started
projects in the region”, said Federico
more than 60 years
Rosenberg, Regional Director for
ago, when the company
Rodio Swissboring in Central America,
opened in El Salvador
which has also taken part in important
as the Swissboring
projects in other regions, precisely
Overseas Crp. Ltd. The
in the Dominican Republic, Ecuador
company’s history goes
and Mexico.
back to 1930s Switzerland. After the
Rosenberg, a geologist and civil
first projects were completed in El
engineer graduated from Texas
Salvador, the company’s headquarters
A&M. “I’ve been part of the group
moved to Guatemala in 1970, and
for 30 years. Had my start in Spain
new offices opened in the rest of the
holding different positions, from
Central American countries through
project engineer, engineer in charge
the years.
of machinery, production manager,
Once in the 21st century, the
CEO at Guatemala and finally as the
company’s partnership went through
regional director for the last ten years,”
changes, ending up in Soletanche
Rosenberg commented.
Bachy owning 100% of Rodio the latter bringing leadership in
ENGAGEMENT IN IMPORTANT PROJECTS IN THE REGION Rodio Swissboring’s involvement
geotechnical engineering, mining,
along the Central American market
maritime engineering and specialized
through the years has taken place in
civil engineering to the French
projects for both the private and public
group’s leadership.
sectors. This market shares plenty of
Swissboring from 2015 on, with
“Since our beginnings, we have
features, but it also presents different
taken part in different stages during the conditions, and its constant evolution construction of the main infrastructure
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December 2020
demands adaptability and versatility.
- Federico Rosenberg, CEO for Rodio Swissboring in Central America
“We have taken part in the
main infrastructure projects in the region”
“One of the key aspects to maintain
Rodio Swissboring engages in high-
ourselves at the forefront of the market
scale projects such as the Panama
is focusing on our clients’ needs,
Canal, taking part in the canal’s
bringing as many innovative solutions
recent expansion and its new third
as possible,” the executive declared.
set of locks, as well as laying the
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We are a group of investors and experts in the infrastructure sector with the objective of developing and building with strong bonds so that constructions are of great value and forever. We set our bases to to respond effectively to the great challenges, because we understood that it is possible to believe in an infrastructure at international levels with the current requirements.
Infrastructures so well made, that they last forever. Visit us at: vitsa.co
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Supplier Profile Number of Employees: 50+ Ye a r E s t a b l i s h e d : 2 0 0 4 Industr y: Construction Main Ser vices: B r i d g e b u i l d e r s p e c i a l i z i n g i n l a u n c h i n g m i xe d c o n f i g u r a t i o n s u p e r s t r u c t u r e s . Recent Projects: S u p e r e s t r u c t u r a P U E N T E 15 - VA S . The project consists of planning the engineering and Construction of the bridge. Scope, a s s e m b l y, t r a n s p o r t o f t h e p a r t s , l a u n c h i n g o f t h e s u p e r s t r u c t u r e a n d a s s u r a n c e o f t h e m a q u i l a . T h e t y p o l o g y o f “ B R I D G E 15”, o b j e c t o f t h i s c o n t r a c t , i s o f t h r e e ( 3 ) s p a n s o f f i f t y- o n e ( 51), f i f t y ( 5 0 ) a n d s i x t y ( 6 0 ) m e t e r s , t h e g r o u n d p l a n i s c u r ve d t h r o u g h o u t i t s l e n g t h f o l l ow i n g a c i r c u l a r a l i g n m e n t w i t h a r a d i u s o f o n e h u n d r e d f o r t y- e i g h t (14 8 ) m e t e r s w i t h a c o n s t a n t l o n g i t u d i n a l s l o p e o f t h r e e p o i n t f i f t e e n p e r c e n t ( 3 .15%) a s c e n d i n g f r o m t h e a b u t m e n t i d e n t i f i e d w i t h n u m b e r o n e (1) t o a b u t m e n t n u m b e r t wo (2 ). T h e c r o s s s e c t i o n h a s a s u p e r e l e va t i o n o f s e ve n p o i n t s i x p e r c e n t ( 7. 6%) a n d i s d e s i g n e d to b e l a u n c h e d f r o m a p l a t f o r m to i t s f i n a l p o s i t i o n . To t a l we i g h t 14 9 0 t o n s . C E O : A l f r e d o Fe r n a n d e z Va l e n z u e l a We b p a g e : w w w.v i t s a .c o
foundations for the third bridge across
Rican capital, the company laid down
the artificial waterway; also in Panama, the foundations and built the slope
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the company worked in Line 1 of the
protection at the new US Embassy in
Panama Metro rapid transit system.
Tegucigalpa (Honduras); both of these
In San José, Rodio Swissboring
last processes were also performed at
was in charge of the excavation and
the new US Embassy in Guatemala,
protection of the basements at the
as the next headquarters for the US
building of the Legislative Assembly
in these two countries are currently
of Costa Rica. Also in the Costa
under construction.
December 2020
Construction
Active ancho r blocks and struts in the Quo and Granat building project in Guatemala Cit y
AVANT-GARDE PROCEDURES Rodio Swissboring has brought
technique according to the land’s conditions. Rodio Swissboring relies
to the territory a wide array of
on support from sister company
procedures and techniques supported
MENARD when a plot of land must
by late-generation technology, such
undergo such a specialized process.
as introducing ground improvement to
MENARD, also a Soletanche Bachy
Central America. Ground improvement company, is a global leader in ground is becoming a standard procedure
improvement and is constantly
in complex grounds, using a proper
investing in avant-garde machinery
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SINGLE SOURCE PROVIDER OF
GEOTECHNICAL, STRUCTURAL, & DATA ACQUISITION PRODUCTS Dams & Dikes
Railways
1
Bridges
Tunnels
Pipelines
Mines
Data Acquisition
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5
2
6
4
1
7
Tilt Meters
2
Strain Gauges
3
Crack Meters
4
Track Monitoring
EL Tiltmeter
Spot Weldable SG
VW Crackmeter
Settlement and Twist
MEMS Tiltmeter
Arc Weldable SG
3D Crackmeter
Monitoring for Rail
Wireless Tiltmeter
Embedment SG
Inclinometers
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Piezometers
9
Settlement Systems
10
Extensometers
5
Monitoring Software
6
ATLAS
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Custom Solutions
Custom Campbell Scientific Datalogger System
Wireless Dataloggers
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Field Readouts
Inclinometer Casing
Borehole VW Piezometer
VW Settlement Cell
MPBX
GTecLink
VW and EL/MEMS
GeoFlex
Push-In VW Piezometer
Borros Anchor
Magnet Extensometer
SlopeSense
Recorders
Digitilt AT System
Standpipe Piezometer
Sondex
V-Logger
VW Analyzer
DigiPro2 Software
Water Level Indicator
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Find out more - Contact your Latin America representative Ing. Rodolfo Saavedra: RSaavedra@dgeslope.com www.durhamgeo.com
Construction
and equipment to perform these tasks. Other specialized procedures also carried by Rodio Swissboring in Central America is tunnel and microtunnel boring and construction, with support from BESSAC,
Anchor blocks and soil nailing at the Vía Alter na Sur highway in Guatemala
another sister company specialized in these kind of projects, useful for the mining, energy and transportation sectors as well as for public waterworks, to name a few. PARTNERS AND PURVEYORS: BEYOND MERE COMMERCIAL TRANSACTIONS Machinery, tools and equipment stand out from Rodio Swissboring’s supply chain. The company takes part in projects which demand specialized procedures in construction, mining and the energy sectors,
Anchor pile foundation at J i boa b r idge, E l Sa lvado r
among others; thus requiring unique machinery and equipment with certain features and capabilities, taking Rodio Swissboring into joining manufacturers in their R&D department, engaging with design and upgrades to equipment for required, specific functions. “We deal with the subsoil and all of what’s below the surface, where conditions are
Piles and sheetpi l ing at Mi raflores locks in the Panama Cana l
always changing; there will always be some improvement to adapt ourselves to it and
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Construction
Supplier Profile
optimize our performance,” Rosenberg summed it up.
N u m b e r o f E m p l o ye e s : 450+ Ye a r E s t a b l i s h e d : 19 5 4
PART OF A GLOBAL NETWORK OF MUTUAL SUPPORT The heralded support Rodio Swissboring receives from other Soletanche Bachy companies such as BESSAC and MENARD,
Industr y: Mix to Listo belongs to the Construction I n d u s t r y, s p e c i f i c a l l y t o t h e p r o d u c t i o n and distribution of ready-mix concrete.
Main Ser vices: Guatemalan company with more than 65 year s of experience in the production and distribution of ready-mix concrete, along with the ser vices associated with i t s p l a c e m e n t . We h a ve b e e n p r e s e n t i n the construction of the most impor tant infrastructure, building and housing projects i n t h e c o u n t r y, a s w e l l a s i n t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f t h o u s a n d s o f p r i v a t e p r o j e c t s . We h a ve m o r e t h a n 10 p r o d u c t i o n p l a n t s s t r a t e g i c a l l y distributed throughout the countr y to s e r ve a l l k i n d s o f c o n s t r u c t i o n p r o j e c t s .
R e c e n t P r o ye c t s : We t a ke p a r t i n t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f t h e m o s t r e l e v a n t p r o j e c t s i n t h e c o u n t r y, s u c h a s : Fu e n t e s d e l Va l l e N o r t e , A l t o s d e S a n Nicolás, Por tal San Isidro residential projects; infrastructure projects such as the Quetzal C o n t a i n e r Te r m i n a l a n d t h e n e w E m b a s s y o f the United States of America, among others.
Unit Manager: A s t r i d Pe l l e c e r We b p a g e : w w w. m i x to l i s to.c o m
among others, displays the advantages of being part of a solid group with global presence. There is technical and logistic support and plentiful resources, besides relying on a wide network of experts sharing experience, processes and new techniques. On its behalf, the Central American operation of Rodio Swissboring is highly specialized in mining and geothermal exploration and also offers support to other companies in the Soletanche Bachy Group. “We have a fine-tuned network. Most companies have a specialty in a specific area and support each other,” the regional director commented. Another advantage shared by every company in the group is that personnel receives specialized training, which is considered a crucial factor for the success of Rodio Swissboring.
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Construction
“We regularly send our staff either to train based in specific programs in technical or operational areas or in other group companies, thus creating important opportunities for development,” Rosenberg explained. LINKS TO THE COMMUNITY: EDUCATION AND ENVIRONMENT Rodio Swissboring’s CSR efforts are focused on programs related to education, a crucial factor for every country’s development. The company is also developing an action plan with the main purpose of reducing its carbon footprint by 30% before 2030. “Our global group policy is this important commitment to the environment, which increasingly impacts our operation,” the executive pointed out. UP NEXT: A WAGER INTO PROJECT CONTINUITY 2021 is foreseen as a very interesting year for Rodio Swissboring, facing different projects both for the private and public sectors which had to be stopped or started during 2020 and which certainly will go on
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“Our main goal is to
become more consolidated and keep taking part in important projectss” - Federico Rosenberg, CEO for Rodio Swissboring in Central America
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December 2020
Construction
Supplier Profile N u m b e r o f E m p l o ye e s : 15 0 0 + Ye a r E s t a b l i s h e d : 18 6 5 Industr y: We o f f e r s o l u t i o n s f o r I n f r a s t r u c t u r e , Commercial and Residential Construction, monitoring ser vices, maintenance and repair
Main Ser vices: eotechnics. Rock and soil anchoring systems for the stabilization of the soil and its infrastructure Life span management. Maintenance work, monitoring schemes and robotic inspections for each phase of the project.
Recent Projects: H i d r o e l é c t r i c a C h i vo r - C o l o m b i a . S u p p l y o f 8 4 a c t i ve g r o u n d a n c h o r s w i t h DY W I DAG 47 b a r s w i t h d o u b l e c o r r o s i o n protection for the stabilization of par tially s u b m e r g e d s l o p e s ( 1,7 75 m i n t o t a l ) .
FOUNDED:
1959
(in Central America) INDUSTRY:
CONSTRUCTION WEBPAGE: WWW.RODIO-SWISSBORING.COM
during 2021, which means the company will certainly be engaged in infrastructure mega projects for transportation, energy, mining, maritime engineering and tunneling -to name a few-, both on its own and
CEO: M a t t i Ku i va l a i n e n , C h i e f E xe c u t i ve O f f i c e r
also with support from other Soletanche
We b p a g e : w w w.d y w i d a g g r o u p.c o m /
year with a lot of challenges. Our main goal
Bachy companies. “We foresee 2021 as a very interesting is to become more consolidated in the region and keep taking part in important projects as general contractors,” Federico Rosenberg finalized.
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