Coveted techniques as Dutch soil becomes more crowded

Pipes and cables must go precisely where the obstacles are numerous. Trenchless techniques then offer a solution. This allows the underground infrastructure to be modified with minimal encroachment on the roads, dikes and traffic junctions above. 

One party that has specialized in trenchless techniques since its founding in 2007 is Kouwenberg Infra in Schaijk. Precisely because it operates exclusively in this specific area, it has built up extensive experience in this. "All problems have passed before," says Stefan Kouwenberg, founder of Kouwenberg Infra. "And for all the problems we have come up with a solution before. That has made us strong in trenchless techniques." Kouwenberg Infra performs all trenchless techniques with its own equipment and its own trained employees.

Complete unburdening

For the expansion of the district heating network in Amsterdam, Kouwenberg Infra laid a main pipeline for the supply of hot water in 2019. "This required four closed front boreholes and one open front borehole," says Kouwenberg. "This is a nice project to show the extent to which we can unburden the customer. Here we maintained the contacts with the many stakeholders, arranged the permit process, worked out the planning, made the wells, drilled the boreholes and assisted in pulling in the pipes. And all in a complex situation."

Full and partial packages

Incidentally, the customer determines what he expects from Kouwenberg Infra. "One customer just indicates that he wants a pipeline from A to B and puts the entire package in our hands," says Jacob Verhoeve, director of Kouwenberg Infra. "In that case, we take full responsibility for the project and the customer really has nothing to worry about. We then create the complete design and contact the other parties involved ourselves to coordinate the work. But we can also perform only the drilling."

Ambition for growth and innovation

Kouwenberg Infra is growing rapidly and expects this growth to continue. With Dutch soil becoming more and more crowded, the need for trenchless and other innovative drilling techniques is growing. Verhoeve: "That does make us happy. Of course we like to be busy, but if we can also develop new techniques in the process, then our heart really beats faster!"