Foundation specialist Franki Grondtechnieken increasingly a construction partner in complex projects 

Franki Grondtechnieken is known (inter)nationally as a specialist in deep foundation techniques. From foundations for wind farms and residential towers to vibration-free installation of foundation piles for highways and dike reinforcements. Today, however, the company is also proving to be a good construction partner that coordinates such construction projects from a to z. A win-win situation for all concerned. Jan Wim Verhoeff, Managing Director, gives an insight into a number of special projects.

In the city center of Breda, in just a few square meters of space, the foundation specialists of Franki Grondtechnieken are drilling a pile wall with piles 80 centimeters in diameter. Not just any piles, but piles that can also drill through rocks. "This is because at this spot in the city center we are working right in front of the monumental building the Botanist," explains Jan-Wim. "This means, first of all, that we have to drill vibration-free, but we also have to drill through an existing foundation. And this simply requires a specialist approach, exactly what we are good at. The technique and pile types we use here are much more common in France, for example." As small as the work area in Breda is, it is so large on Maasvlakte 2 where Franki Grondtechnieken was commissioned by SIF Netherlands to lay the foundations for the trial installation of the world's largest wind turbine, the Haliade-X. Both the work in Breda and on the Maasvlakte show nicely how versatile the company is, but also how it delivers specialist work thanks to its international cooperation.

Construction partner in complex projects

Speaking of this international cooperation, Franki Grondtechnieken is part of Franki Foundations, with offices in Belgium, France and the United Kingdom. And since 2008, as the foundation specialist, Franki Foundations has been a member of the BESIX Group. Being part of an international group offers important opportunities, according to Jan-Wim. "For example, in Belgium we have our own engineering department. This allows us to think along with the client at an early stage and come up with the best possible solutions." The latter comes in handy as the foundation specialist increasingly acts as a construction partner instead of just a contractor. In practice, this means that Franki Grondtechnieken takes on the full coordination of complex projects. "In the past, for example, we completely took on the new construction of the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) in Utrecht. Another example is the construction of the new biofuel plant on the Maasvlakte. Here, in addition to the foundations, we also provided complete project management." In addition to these great projects, The Groene Boog A16, the complete construction pit for the nuclear power plant at Petten and the Thamesweg route in Rotterdam are also concrete examples where Franki not only contributes its deep foundation expertise, but also takes on overall project coordination.

Collaboration increasingly important

Another interesting development within Franki is the growing cooperation with partners and fellow contractors. Something that will only become more important in the coming years, according to Jan-Wim. "Each company has its own specialty. It is precisely by working together that you strengthen each other and can do what you are good at. In my view, this is crucial for taking on and successfully executing large and complex projects."