FEATURE INTERNATIONAL FOCUS
SIPs Made in Britain Supports Dutch Construction Sips Supply BV in Holland works very closely with Hemsec, whose panels are all manufactured in Britain. Sips Supply has run 200 SIPs projects since 2015 and currently has a new, major programme in the pipeline, as company director Arthur Tromp explains.
A
rthur Tromp is an engineer with 30 years’ experience
The Dutch housing market is conservative and traditional, with up
working in the Dutch construction industry; his
to 70% using concrete or other materials. The market for timber frame
specialist knowledge and expertise is in using timber
is large, though, with around a 30% share. Within that, come SIPs and
frames for housing. In 2011, he first came across SIPs,
although their market is not currently large, demand is growing.
which was a real epiphany. .
During the height of the Covid-19 crisis, many people used their extra time to research different and more sustainable solutions; higher
Arthur was impressed by how much thinner, stronger and easier to use SIPs are, when compared to conventional timber frame. By using
quality buildings which are better insulated and highly thermally
SIPs manufactured offsite, the construction of new homes on site is
efficient. The recent surge in global energy prices will undoubtedly
much quicker and more cost effective – as well as being more thermally
accelerate this trend. SIPs fit these needs perfectly.
efficient than houses constructed in a traditional way. This gave Arthur Collaboration is an essential ingredient
the idea to set up his own company: Sips Supply BV to serve the Dutch
Seeking the right partners was a key stage as Arthur established
and European markets, which currently have an urgent need for new,
SIPs Supply BV. Growing the market is important; but it is equally
energy-efficient homes.
important in Arthur’s view to build the SIPs market slowly, focusing
Like many countries across Europe, including the UK, the Netherlands has a pressing need for new housing, and consequently it
attention on maintaining exacting standards to minimise the risk of
is an important social and political issue. House price rises are outpacing
poor delivery. Whilst researching the SIPs market, Arthur came across
other countries within the EU and last year rose by 15%. Experts
Hemsec, based in the north of England. Impressed by the information provided by the Hemsec team during
estimate that Holland has around 330,000 fewer houses than it requires
his initial conversations, Arthur travelled across to the UK from his
and needs to build one million more over the next 10 years. Timber Construction Magazine
Spring 2022
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