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Urk foundation company
For over thirty years, the Urk foundation company Ras Heiwerken has specialized in installing tubular steel piles in situations where space is at a premium. Ten years ago the service package was expanded to include screw injection piles, a foundation technique ideally suited for inner-city areas. Director Klaas Ras gives us a look behind the scenes.
With five piling rigs in different sizes (from very compact to medium-sized), we can handle almost any project, Ras says. Meanwhile, the company has two unique, extremely compact machines for installing screw injection piles. “They are the smallest of their kind on the market. Especially in environments where a traditional tubular steel pile is not desirable or not possible, this technique offers a solution.” Every day Ras Heiwerken, with some twenty professionals, is active throughout the country: from the Wadden Islands to Maastricht. “Work is done for individuals, companies and institutions. Whether it's a small addition, a complete foundation repair or a large-scale construction project, we deliver custom work for every client.”
A key differentiator, according to Ras, is the ability to work electrically as well as traditionally pile driving or screw driving. “The compact screw injection machine still delivers a particularly solid pile with relatively little force and power. That makes this method not only efficient, but also more sustainable than using large, heavy machinery to achieve the same result.” The ambition is to operate entirely electrically in the future. There is continuous investment in innovation. For example, the possible purchase of a new zero-emission truck is now being considered, in order to continue working as sustainably as possible.
The strength of our company lies not only in the equipment, but especially in our people, Ras emphasizes. ‘The typical Urk working mentality, down-to-earth, decisive and reliable forms the basis. Many employees joined the company at a young age and stay with us for years. This continuity also provides a wealth of experience, which comes in handy in complex inner-city projects.“ That kind of project, by the way, requires more than just technical knowledge. ”We know our way around municipalities, are familiar with environmental zones, weight restrictions and local regulations. Arranging permits and coordinating with relevant agencies is daily business for us. That is also where our strength lies.“
A recent highlight of Ras Heiwerken is its contribution to a complex project on the Stadhouderskade in Amsterdam. “Here we installed screw injection piles through existing steel casings. A technically challenging operation in a busy inner-city area. We are currently at work on the Amstel River drilling 95 screw injection piles for foundation repair.” As a regular partner of several contractors, the Ras Heiwerken team thus travels all over the country. “Our Urker work mentality is appreciated throughout the Netherlands,” he said.”
