Construction and foundation company with specialized machinery and smart working methods

'A suitable solution for every foundation challenge'

It all started in 1978: in an old garage box near the home of Arie and Ria Kandt there was plenty of tinkering and welding on machines. Today, Kandt BV is a medium-sized player in civil engineering, infra and rail and is run by son Marco. "As a contracting and foundation specialist, rebuilding and modifying machines is still one of our unique areas of expertise," says Marco. "As a result, we offer a suitable solution for every project."

Each project is unique

"Every project is unique in terms of situation, complexity and challenges, so then it's nice when you can build on the years of expertise and know-how of our people," says Marco. "On that basis, as a subcontractor you think along with the (im)possibilities of each specific project." He emphasizes that good preparation and constructive cooperation with other parties on the project is essential in this regard. "By providing technical support for execution at an early stage, sometimes doing things slightly differently and by deploying the right equipment, you make a project feasible and doable." 

We never stand still

Clearly, machine development has not stood still over the past forty-five years. "So Kandt never stands still either," says Marco. "We have all the modern techniques as well as skilled people in house to realize the most diverse foundation works. We also build machines ourselves that are specifically needed to carry out complex projects properly. For example, we have been focusing for years on vibration-free foundations, even at locations that are difficult to reach."

Welding in-house

Kandt was recently NEN-EN 1090-2 certified and can therefore now also perform all desired welding work up to execution class 4 in-house. "As part of this, we are also developing a new welding hall on our own premises so that we can roll this out even further. Furthermore, additional solar panels and heat pumps are being installed on the premises, in order to be completely self-sufficient in terms of energy."

Sustainable investments

"All the investments we make, we try to do them as responsibly and sustainably as possible. Both business-wise and in terms of equipment. We certainly feel that responsibility and have sustainability high on our agenda." For example, Kandt recently purchased an 80-ton all-electric crawler crane that will be deployed starting in early 2024.

Specialist work

That Kandt can be engaged for all kinds of retaining and load-bearing structures, such as placing sheet piling, creating (temporary) cofferdams and realizing pile foundations for tunnels, bridges, viaducts, quay walls and also high-voltage pylons is evident from the projects the company has already done. "In addition to standard project work, we can also be deployed for specialized issues," says Marco. "For example, in inner-city projects with little space, places where vibration-free or from the water has to be worked on, or when drilling has to be done under difficult conditions." Not to mention projects on and around the railroad. For that too, Kandt has various (rail-related) machines, developed in-house and approved for rail and/or foundation work.

Challenging projects

Marco mentions some nice challenging projects Kandt is involved in. "At the Zuidas in Amsterdam, we are already providing the foundation work for the widening and raising of two underpasses by the railroad: the Minervapassage and the Brittenpassage. It is one of the larger infrastructure works currently underway in the Netherlands. We are also providing various pile foundations and sheet piling constructions at several structures, including the Schiphol Bridge, which is part of the widening of the A9 Badhoevedorp-Holendrecht motorway." Finally, Marco mentions a fun, special project Kandt is working on: RiF010. "In the center of Rotterdam, near the market hall, a kind of wave pool is being created on which people can go surfing. On behalf of Mobilis, we installed shoring walls there for the construction pit and the pile foundation that holds the underwater concrete floor in place."

Reliable and specialized

Whether it's standard or complex foundation work, at the most diverse locations and under various conditions, Kandt is the reliable and specialized partner that doesn't shy away from any challenge.