'We have guaranteed safe traffic flow for 20 years'

We don't supply materials, we don't build, but without our presence the safety situation can be seriously compromised on certain facets. On the A1 project, our professional traffic controllers guarantee safe traffic flow for road workers, road users and bystanders alike. So says Kees van Opdorp, Managing Partner of Brink Verkeer, a multidisciplinary player in the traffic market with a philosophy all its own. 

Twenty years ago, founder Rudi van den Brink literally started from the kitchen table in Putten, and Brink Verkeer has grown into a well-established player in the traffic market with now three branches spread across the country. "From our branch in Amersfoort we are literally on top of the A1," says Kees. "We are known in the infra for providing professional traffic controllers, but can also install traffic equipment with our own BRL mechanics and even have a division that provides traffic signs. Although the latter is not a core activity, but more of an additional service product. In addition, our people are regularly deployed at events throughout the country, as traffic controllers, event organizers or hosts. In this way we offer our staff a nice variety."

Active and Reliable

From A to Better at Brink Traffic stands for Active and Reliable. "Our clients do not expect brain surgeons, but rather proactive, reliable and correct people who are pleasant to deal with," Kees believes. "Our people have not only received the best possible training to become national traffic controllers, but regularly attend the necessary training courses on manners. We think that is important and appreciated." Brink Verkeer is therefore a regular relationship of Heijmans. "We have had a good relationship with Heijmans for many years and are very proud that we get to work for such a leading player. That also radiates to our motivated staff." Kees's ambition is not to become the biggest, but to remain the best in terms of quality and to offer staff a promising future.

Monitor import and export logistics

Brink Verkeer guarantees safe traffic flow on and around the A1. "We like to be well informed in the preliminary stages, so that we know what is expected of us and we can respond appropriately," Kees explains. "Our traffic controllers are mainly busy monitoring the entrance and exit ramps for the safe flow of entry and exit logistics between the construction site and the regional roads. And that dynamic has only increased in recent years with the popularity of electric scooters and bicycles popping up 'out of nowhere' at relatively high speed in a truck's blind spot. Our people monitor that safety."

Fast switching

Brink Verkeer has more than 70 employees on payroll with full-time employment contracts in addition to a large flexible shell. "We are organized in such a way that we have an executive cadre with team leaders above it. Clients always have a fixed point of contact. And that is also necessary, because our schedule is a living document. We can switch quickly and supply people immediately if, for example, a barrier is driven out somewhere. We also do 'pre-thinking', where we fill fixed shifts with employees who learn each other on a project, so that in this case Heijmans is always guaranteed a safe traffic flow."