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In complex projects, such as the construction of a wastewater treatment plant, choosing a specialized supplier adds significant value. Not only because of the supplier’s technical expertise and broad product portfolio, but also—and especially—because of its ability to contribute ideas early on. AVK Nederland fulfilled that role with great enthusiasm during the expansion of AWS Zwanenburg.
The first discussions with RWB Water—which was commissioned by Mobilis to handle all mechanical engineering work at AWS Zwanenburg—took place as early as 2022, says Sinan Topalak, account manager at AVK Nederland. “This was preceded, incidentally, by earlier discussions with the Rijnland Water Board, which had the ambition to modernize the wastewater treatment plant and make it future-proof. In this early phase, the focus was on exploration: what is needed, and what role can a specialized supplier play in this?”
From the very beginning, the goal was clear: to contribute ideas during the preliminary phase and advise on suitable solutions, Topalak continues. “At this stage, nothing had been finalized yet. Ideas were explored, products were discussed, and options were weighed. Ultimately, a project is put out to tender and carried out by one or more contractors. In this case, RWB Water was one of the contractors, and they, in turn, worked directly with us. That’s what makes this project so special. From the initial discussions through to completion, we remained in close contact with both the water authority and the contractor.”
A characteristic aspect of these types of projects is that the initial request often marks only the beginning, as Albert van Leeuwen, a project manager at AVK Nederland, knows from experience. “It’s common for clients to ask for a single specific product early on. However, by asking the right questions and thinking along with the client, it often turns out that much more is possible. In this case as well, the project evolved from a basic request—for example, for a few gate valves—into a multifaceted project. In the world of wastewater treatment, AWS Zwanenburg has been one of our larger projects in recent years.”
AVK supplied a wide range of products for this project. These included gate valves in various sizes, with passage diameters of up to 800 mm. In addition, large butterfly valves with a passage diameter of up to 1,600 mm were supplied. “These are impressive components that even exceed 5 meters in size,” says Van Leeuwen. The delivery also included beam check valves, swing check valves, butterfly valves, and various spindle and overflow gates. The actuators were not only supplied but also fully assembled onto the valves, calibrated, and functionally tested before they arrived on site. “We took Rijnland’s specific requirements into account. For example, all valves were finished in a white RAL color,” adds Topalak.
The strength behind this broad product portfolio and the flexibility to provide custom solutions lies within the organization itself. “As a Danish family-owned company with more than 5,500 employees and over 100 companies in the group worldwide, everything is produced in-house,” says Topalak. “This means short lines of communication with the factories and the ability to respond quickly to special requests.”.
”AVK is not a trading organization, but a manufacturer with in-house expertise and specialization.“ Some of the products are even manufactured in the Netherlands, such as the butterfly valves, while other components come from various European production sites. ”This international reach, combined with centralized coordination, makes it possible to efficiently carry out even complex projects.”
Still, projects of this scale also present challenges. “Delivering the large butterfly valves required careful planning,” according to Van Leeuwen. “Due to their size and weight, they could only be transported and delivered to the project site at specific times. We take that into account as well.” Another important aspect was that not everything is fully specified in advance. “In large and complex projects, we often work with general specifications, after which detailed decisions are made in collaboration with the contractor. We’re trusted to handle that.”
AVK’s involvement doesn’t end with delivery. The supplier remains actively involved during and after installation as well. Topalak: “Our service technicians handled the commissioning of the electric drives on-site and provided support where necessary. Regular visits to the project site ensured that any questions were resolved quickly. That’s the advantage of involving a specialized supplier with such a broad product range early on. The project was not only large-scale but also unique in its coordination and execution, from the initial sketches to the final completion.”
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AVK Nederland is part of the AVK Group, one of the leading manufacturers of fittings in the following sectors: water, gas, wastewater, irrigation, fire protection, and industry. For more than 40 years, we have been committed every day to quality, reliability, and sustainability within the water supply and distribution infrastructure. Our product range consists of a wide variety of […]
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