HDPE (specials) for underground infrastructure

With a wide range of plastic materials in stock and a special Custom made Products branch that focuses exclusively on customization, Van Kaam is the supplier for underground infrastructure. "Unburdening the customer from A to Z. That is the ambition we try to fulfill every day," it sounds during a conversation with three enthusiastic employees.

"It is good to see that the choice we made a year ago to start serving the market with two separate companies was the right one," begins Xander Pronk, who has been working at Van Kaam as a field sales representative for the Custom made Products BV for 2.5 years. He is referring to the clear separation between the 'trading company' Van Kaam and the custom made products division. "Both companies complement each other perfectly and benefit from the good and strong relationships with customers and suppliers."

HDPE versus concrete

Over the past thirty years, Van Kaam has brought a large number of novelties to the market. According to Pronk, in underground infrastructure, HDPE is in many cases a more interesting alternative than concrete. "HDPE is resistant to almost all chemicals, lighter than concrete and universally applicable. A good example is our winding tube well, a large round well available up to a diameter of 3,200 mm and thus a worthy alternative to large pump pumping stations that are currently still constructed in concrete." Colleague Remon van Wolfswinkel, responsible for regular sales, adds: "The winding tube well is much easier to handle and does not need to be underpinned. This allows for substantial savings. The well requires no maintenance and also has a very long service life of up to more than 30 years."

Speed

Contractors, municipalities and other stakeholders have traditionally been very focused on concrete, according to Pronk. "They often lack a bit of knowledge of the possibilities in HDPE. A common argument is that in concrete you can make an extra connection much easier. We prove that in HDPE it is not a problem either and that it can perhaps be realized even faster. If desired, even on site with our mobile workshop." Speaking of speed; Van Kaam excels in speed of delivery. Van Wolfswinkel: "Thanks to our good relationships with suppliers, we can respond very quickly and deliver quickly from stock. Also for large quantities. That is what many of our customers count on. Van Kaam also has a wide range of 'specials'. For example, we are a partner of Georg Fischer (GF) and have a large range of multi/joints in stock. Also our Quick Twist and Quick Pig, a development of Custom made Products, are now enthusiastically received."

With more than 14 years of experience at Van Kaam, Rob Verlinde is responsible for producing the custom solutions. "We devise solutions to issues that cannot be met with our standard products. A recent development is the composite beam pulling head to pull horizontal directional (HDD) bores in one go. We also produce fully customized tees up to 315 and segment bends up to 400 with our mirror welding machine. Everything revolves around unburdening our customers. This starts with answering the question to, in case of emergency, providing support during assembly or breakdowns. 24 hours a day, seven days a week we can be reached via a special emergency number."