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Anyone following the work on the A10 South will mainly see hustle and bustle and lots of steel structures. What you don't see so easily is the team behind the scenes that ensures that the tight schedules are met and everything stays upright, both literally and figuratively. One of those people is Daan Swart, coordinator at Lommers Welding Services. For many years, he has been a key figure in complex infrastructure projects.
Lommers Welding Services is the only welding company working on site within this complex project. Everything related to steel and welding comes our way, ranging from simple connections to structures that meet the highest execution classes and Design Guidelines for Civil Engineering Structures (ROK) requirements. “But we do much more than just welding here,” says Swart. “We solve problems that sometimes aren't even on the drawings yet.” Where other companies simply carry out what is specified, his team thinks ahead. That means working closely with engineers, draughtsmen and work planners to come up with practical solutions and prevent mistakes before they happen.
A significant part of the work does not begin outside, but in the workshop. There, the Lommers Welding Services team manufactures prefabricated components that will later be installed in a few days, for example, during a weekend closure. “For us, prefab is not lighter work, but rather more heavily controlled work,” explains Swart. “Everything has to be exactly right, because there is no time for improvisation outside. This preparation saves time on site and keeps the schedule achievable, even under high pressure.”
What sets Lommers Welding Services apart is the way in which the welders and engineers work together. “At our company, the welder talks to the engineer. And they understand each other too,” says Swart with a smile. That sounds obvious, but in practice it is unique. “It prevents misunderstandings and ensures that solutions really work. We also involve our young welders in this: they not only learn how to weld, but also learn to understand why a particular solution is technically necessary.”
In a world where many subcontractors accept everything, Lommers consciously chooses a different approach. “We sometimes say no,” says Gerda Lommers. “Not to be difficult, but because we know that something won't work in practice. Then we work together to find a better alternative.” According to Lommers, clients appreciate this: “It inspires confidence that you don't just approve everything, but put quality and safety first.”
Daan sees it as his job to ensure that the work runs smoothly under considerable time pressure. “Problems must be solved proactively, often before they even become apparent,” he says. What he enjoys most is the collaboration. “From the office to the field, we really do it together. And no matter how hard the work is, it always goes better with a smile.” With projects such as this one on the A10 South, Lommers shows where it belongs: in places where the bar is set high and teamwork makes the difference.
