The last parts of the old Bow Bridge are also disappearing

Reinforced concrete waves white flag under demolition force

It is a dreary day with drizzling rain. Actually perfect for a piece of melancholy on location. We are under the new Jan Blankenbrug near Vianen, looking out on the half-demolished concrete sections of the old Bow Bridge. We are in good company with Marcel Bonte, foreman and machinist at DDM Demontage BV, Jeroen Hornman, sales manager at SAES International BV and Ronald Boerboom, Area Sales Manager Hydraulic Attachment Tools Netherlands, Denmark and Luxembourg at Epiroc. "The combination DDM - KWS - VES demolishes with respect for the environment," says Marcel. "The immediate neighborhood has had a view of the old Bow Bridge since 1936. An iconic structure for the area, with a rich (wartime) history. Seeing something like that disappear does something to you."

Three large cranes and two auxiliary cranes

"We are doing the demolition work from June 2021, we are working with 10 to 15 people on this job. Three big cranes and two auxiliary cranes are doing the work. The powerhouse here though is the Hitachi ZX 890, a 90-ton crane, to which the Epiroc HB7000 Dust is attached," Marcel points out. On his way to this crane, operator Lars Grühne greets us. The German-born DDM employee is very enthusiastic about the Epiroc HB7000: "A very fine demolition hammer it is, it eats through the concrete slabs like nothing and likes the debris raw." Lars is used to something in terms of equipment pieces from different brands and works nicely with the Epiroc equipment.

A small Epiroc party

Ronald points out how many Epiroc pieces of equipment have been sold by SAES to DDM. "There is an HB400 present, an Atlas Copco HB250) (Atlas Copco later became Epiroc), an HB7000 and a demolition shear Epiroc CC6000, with both a concrete jaw and a steel jaw. So enough demolition power to raze everything here to the ground!" Jeroen adds: "We have been working with DDM Demontage for about 15 years and know what quality they ask for. That's why we sell Epiroc with confidence." Marcel agrees and adds: "Of course good equipment is important, but that's not the only thing. Agreements must be kept and service must be fast and good. That's the reason we like working with SAES, although I must admit that I've never had to call for service. You just see that all the equipment pieces are perfectly maintained. We also work here in Vianen without any problems. And you know what's extra nice for me? Then my people who work here are also satisfied. The last thing we want is grumbling in the construction shed..."

Epiroc and SAES go hand in hand

Ronald started SAES in 2016, then under the name Atlas Copco. In 2017, the name was changed to Epiroc. "A new, listed entity," Ronald explains. "That's how SAES came to Epiroc. So we have been working together for about 7 years now, and with enormous pleasure. For Epiroc, it is very nice that SAES is so serious about service. The SAES service team is "on the ball" and ensures that downtime on the demolition site is avoided. This not only benefits the SAES customer, it also benefits us as Epiroc. It keeps our good name alive. On top of that, SAES has done a great job introducing Epiroc to the market."

When asked if the HB7000 is the biggest demolition hammer Epiroc makes, Ronald replies with a smile, "No, the biggest is the HB10,000. And you probably guessed it: SAES has that demolition monster in stock in Weert as well!"