Total supplier for underground infrastructure bets on flexibility and safety

With a wide range of plastic materials (standard and custom made), Van Kaam of Zaandam is a total supplier for underground infrastructure. Since this summer, the family business has even been able to perform mirror welding on site up to a diameter of 630 millimeters with a fully equipped mobile welding station. In addition, safety and the environment are of paramount importance.

Van Kaam is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and has had the pleasure of supplying many projects over all these years. The family business is known for its strong focus on value added services. "We are strong in customization, also on location," says Robbert-Jan Dielemans, 1st mechanic and active as a mirror welder for sixteen years, the last six months of which for Van Kaam. "I really like it here. It really is a warm nest." Dielemans masters all facets in plastic techniques, including mirror welding, extrusion welding and socket welding. "Everything we sell, we can also assemble in the field if required."

Mirror welding in the field

Most of the plastic products are prefabricated under conditioned conditions in the workshop in Zaandam. Dielemans: "In the field, it is often a matter of 'connecting' products. This is then done with our mobile welding station with which we can mirror weld up to 630 millimeters in accordance with NEN 7200. With the mobile welding station, we are completely self-sufficient. Incidentally, we can mirror weld up to diameters of 1200 millimeters on site according to DVS, but for that we deploy other equipment again." Dielemans operates throughout the country with the mobile welding station and is not averse to a trip abroad. "At the end of this year, we are contributing to a project in Denmark where we are welding four PE pipes to our beam puller head on site to pull a horizontal directional (HDD) bore in one go. And so each time we try to respond to market demands in our own way."

Extrusion welding in the workshop

Henk Schone, 1st mechanic and KAM officer at Van Kaam also feels right at home in Zaandam. "I have been with Van Kaam for fourteen years now. It really is a company that is ready for its customers and staff 24/7. Every day is different. "The customer asks, we produce," is our motto. And that is appreciated. In the workshop, a team of mechanics is responsible for building wells and other extrusion welding projects. Showpieces are the Shoreliner, a collection system for floating plastic in harbors and rivers, and large winding tube wells. We also build special products," says Schone enthusiastically. "Examples include the Sewer Pipe for the World Port Days and the Tinyhouse for a campsite. Those are the creative cherry picks, though." 

Environment and safety

As KAM officer, Schone is responsible for VCA and ISO certifications. Environment, recycling of residual materials and safety are an important part of the work at Van Kaam.