An extra dimension to foundations

The foundation industry may be a relatively modest sector, but the foundation itself forms the basis of everything you build. Not surprisingly, therefore, the Nederlandse Vereniging Aannemers Funderingswerken (NVAF) is extremely active and involved in many working groups and network meetings of related industry colleagues, but is also not 'averse' to new developments. During InfraTech 2025, they will be happy to tell you more about it at booth 1.508.

InfraTech is one of the most important exhibitions in infrastructure with a nice mix of exhibitors and visitors. Therefore, as NVAF you have to be present there, thinks Jaap Estie, director of the NVAF. "Our booth actually forms a meeting point where we tell interested parties about what we do and share in an informal setting. Everyone is welcome for a cup of coffee or tea. On the other hand, for me it forms a kind of home base from which I can visit all kinds of companies and organizations. InfraTech offers the opportunity to make so many contacts and talk to people in a few days that I would otherwise not be able to do in a few months."

Knowledge session

The NVAF, together with Bouwend Nederland, is also organizing a knowledge session on January 15 about preventing damage in underground infrastructure. "From the NVAF we are affiliated with the Kabel en Leiding Overleg (KLO), an association of soil excavators, network operators and managers of the underground. During this interactive session we will zoom in on the many challenges and also engage in conversation with visitors," says Jaap. "The challenges are not diminishing. There is a huge need for new housing and that includes appropriate infrastructure. And on the other hand, there are many developments in the field of foundation repair. NVAF is firmly committed to this, because we see that this is a growing challenge that requires cooperation and practical solutions."

Trade School

Of course, the foundation industry also faces challenges of making machine fleets more sustainable and the tight labor market. "We are affiliated with the clean and emission-free construction covenant and are thinking along about how we can contribute to this as an industry. Especially in the sense of: what is feasible and affordable? Very positive in addition, is that the Foundation Trade School is well received. In 2025 we will start with a new class in which the curriculum has been highly professionalized in recent months," Jaap reveals. "Furthermore, we as an association are busy updating the Professional Booklet Safe Foundation and we have started a project group to investigate how we can reduce the physical load in the work field with technical solutions."

So the NVAF is by no means sitting still. "We are an important pivot in the construction and infrastructure sector and take our responsibility," Jaap acknowledges. "For example, together with companies we are also investigating the possibilities of giving foundations an additional function with, for example, heat exchangers in piles or collectors in sheet piling. This gives our product another dimension."