Specialist in horizontal and vertical transport

As a total provider of horizontal and vertical transport, combined with its own engineering department, Sarens has a solution for every logistical challenge. Especially in a complex environment like Schiphol Airport, with its many height restrictions, this proves to be of added value.

Originally a Belgian family business, Sarens has been active in the Dutch market since 1986. "After taking over an existing crane company in the Netherlands, we have now been physically represented in the Netherlands for over thirty years," says Hildo Boelsma of Sarens Netherlands. "We now operate in the Netherlands from three branches (Dordrecht, Amsterdam and Europoort) for a wide variety of clients. Heijmans is a regular customer and after completion of the widening of the Wilhelminasluis in Zaandam, we 'moved' with part of the Heijmans team to Schiphol to meet the challenges regarding horizontal and vertical transport."     

Oiled machine

Initially, Sarens was called in to (re)place the pillar formwork from the pre-construction site to the final location. "This required special transport, albeit over a limited distance," Boelsma knows. "In addition, we are responsible for placing the precast concrete girders of the viaduct. Surely this is where our own engineering department was able to prove its added value. Especially when spanning the A4." His colleague Wesley van Gameren adds: "In about four short, but intensive nighttime road closures, we put forty girders across the A4 each time. It is therefore imperative that the process runs like a well-oiled machine. Running over is not done and has consequences for accessibility. The remaining girders of the viaduct are 'just' being installed during the day."

Limited working height

All lifting operations are subject to a limited 'working height' due to the approach routes of the aircraft and the lines of sight from the tower, and the fact that the airport is always operational. Boelsma: "That means that, depending on the maximum height, we sometimes have to use several cranes to make the intended 'flight'. This also takes into account the aircraft landing, taking off and taxiing around the cranes. The deployment of equipment is extremely diverse, ranging from mobile cranes and counterweight trucks with a capacity of up to 400 tons. We have all this in-house, as well as a specialized crew that also picks up the beams from the transport, positions them and places them on the future artwork. Finally, we take care of the necessary 'small' lifting work for, for example, contributing reinforcement, placing platforms, closing the formwork, etc."