FUNDEX on DFI-EFFC Brugge: "No problems, but challenges"

From May 21 to 23, 2025, the world's top foundation industry gathered in Bruges. During the DFI-EFFC International Conference - with the theme Geotechnics Reimagined - FUNDEX was present as a Diamond Sponsor. And that did not go unnoticed.

"For us it's something of a home match," explains Oscar van Beest of FUNDEX. "But at the same time also a unique opportunity to link visions of academics with practical experience. Here we speak with professors and PhDs, but equally with colleagues from other countries who are facing similar challenges: safety, timing, and especially the translation from theory to site."

The conference brought together foundation specialists, suppliers, clients, and researchers around current topics such as soil stabilization, carbon reduction, and digital monitoring of subsoils. The atmosphere? Open, sharp and interactive. "What we especially appreciate here is that it's not a classic one-way street," says van Beest. "You get insights, but you're also allowed something in return. That conversation makes us stronger as a sector."

Davy Maes, managing director at FUNDEX, also spoke out at the event about the need for transparency in the industry:

"Some providers today still don't take safety ratings or execution quality very seriously. We deliberately choose a different path: transparent, reliable and long-term. That sometimes takes more time and explanation, but it pays off - in trust and quality."

In addition to technical lectures, the emphasis was on networking and cross-pollination. "You learn from each other's approaches and discover that you are not alone," says Oscar van Beest. "This is just as true for the youngest engineers as it is for seasoned project managers. In essence: you go home with more than you brought with you."