Engineering firm Boorsma, a multidisciplinary engineering firm that thinks integrally in smart solutions

Thanks to its multidisciplinary set-up, the firm can think along integrally in smart solutions to its clients' challenges and problems. For over fifty years, the family business Boorsma has worked for both private clients and the government. An interview with director Jan Wessels about expertise, decisiveness and proactive thinking.

"Especially in the GWW it is greatly appreciated if you can think along integrally. Ingenieursbureau Boorsma not only provides the calculations and drawings, but our added value also lies in proactively thinking along in smart solutions in the field of rapid (de)assembly to minimize disruption. For example, during decommissioning in railroad projects." Boorsma has been working for ProRail for 25 years and has its own accreditation. The company also works within the framework agreement (SO3) for Rijkswaterstaat. 

Small but big

"We may be a relatively small agency (55 employees), but big on approach and expertise. Our professionals are very practically oriented and very decisive. As a result, we feel like an extension of the organization that hires us." Wessels explains that the company is experiencing organic growth within the civil engineering part of the GWW. "Real structural design, that's where our strength lies. We are quite broad in structural consultancy, both within geotechnical engineering and foundations and in the field of concrete and steel structures. In addition, we specialize in mechanical engineering and propulsion in combination with civil engineering. Wessels is referring to movable parts of dams, locks and bridges. "It is often the reason that clients come to us specifically: we have everything under one roof, you only see that otherwise with the larger agencies so in that we are quite unique."

Wooden floodgate 2.0

"We see a greater interest, also in the GWW, in wooden applications. Therefore, under the leadership of Ingenieursbureau Boorsma, commissioned by Rijkswaterstaat and in cooperation with Wijma Kampen, Agrodome, TUDelft and Centrum Hout, a new lock gate has been designed and developed: Wooden lock gate 2.0. Based on craftsmanship from the past but supplemented with the latest knowledge, data, research results and manufacturing techniques. Thus, a widely supported bio-based standard has been established that meets the requirements of the Department of Public Works. The conclusion is also that wooden lock gates are cost-effective and sustainable and will remain so in the future. The use of wood for lock gates is therefore guaranteed for the next 100 years," concludes Wessels.