Chain integration in underground infrastructure

The Dutch underground is becoming increasingly crowded. Especially in urban areas, it is an increasing challenge to build new 'networks', maintain existing ones and replace them where necessary. According to Johan van Otterdijk of Hurkmans Groep, there is an increasing need for a new form of collaboration between contractor and client. Cooperation in the chain is the future; the Someren-based company has gained a lot of experience in this in recent years and has made great strides. 

"We are moving further and further up the chain as a contractor in underground infrastructure," Johan begins. "This means that we are increasingly acting as an advisory and designing party. We also take on environmental management in a project, including coordination with the competent authority and local residents. We have even adapted our organizational structure for this purpose. As a family business, we have undergone an enormous transition in recent years to prepare for the (near) future. We are already reaping the benefits of this, by the way. For example, we are one of the three contractors within the innovative Cooperation in the Chain (SIDK) contract commissioned by drinking water company Brabant Water."

Room for innovation

Hurkmans Group has long been a contractor for Brabant Water. "SIDK is a new way of cooperation between drinking water company and contractor," Johan continues. "It is an example of chain integration where we take care of the complete design, realization, delivery and quality assurance. The network design and coordination with competent authorities was initially always done by the utility company itself. Now, as a contractor, we take care of that from A to Z. Within the UAV-GC framework contract there is a lot of room for the contractor to do things differently. So we get complete freedom in the choice of construction methods and have more opportunities to apply innovative solutions." 

Replacing a kilometer of water pipe in one day

"A great reference within the innovative partnership with Brabant Water was the renewal of a water main in Neerkant," says Johan. "The big challenge in this project was in the fact that it was a terminal main, this meant that residents had to be disconnected from the water for a very long time. Ever thought that 1,000 meters of water main can be renewed in one day? Sounds like an almost impossible task. But through the technique of relining, a perfect project organization and hard work, we completed this job in cooperation with Holland Drilling in just 12 hours. A top performance."

"We are regularly invited by parties to explain this innovative way of cooperation. A way of cooperation that is essential to meet future challenges," Johan concludes.