United force in concrete construction and masonry support

Leviat is a world leader in lifting, connection and anchoring technology for construction and industry. "From ground-level housing to high-rise projects and from masonry support to concrete and precast construction: we devise, model and make technical solutions as well as innovative products that enable contractors and concrete manufacturers to build safer, faster, stronger and more sustainable," says Meerten Siertsema, Sales Manager Concrete at Leviat Borne. "By thinking along with us from an early stage in terms of technology and assembly, clients are completely relieved of their concerns. That this is appreciated is proven by many long and close customer relationships."

Siertsema is the point of contact for contractors in the concrete industry who value fast, reliable and economical anchoring of their structural components. "We advise and supply a wide range of solutions for lifting, supporting and connecting concrete," he says. "The housing shortage in the Netherlands is high. More and more contractors are responding to this by building complete prefab houses in one day. We are happy to go along with this, with an extensive range of assembly connections and lifting equipment (in accordance with NEN-EN 13155). But also by actively thinking along in the prefab process: from the preparation in the factory to the assembly of the elements on the building site." In addition, Leviat offers an extensive range of solutions for high-rise projects. From apartment buildings to office towers. "Popular in this context are our sandwich anchors, with which inner and outer leaves can be coupled quickly, efficiently and safely. And concrete facade elements and balconies can also be easily suspended from the structure with Leviat, cleverly and effectively eliminating thermal bridges."

Masonry support

Leviat's masonry support department advises, designs, calculates and manufactures, among other things, facade supports, lintels, roller brackets, parapet supports, floor strips and sill supports. "We support contractors in the complete anchoring of their buildings," summarizes Mark Lammertink, Sales Engineer Facade at Leviat Borne. "Regardless of whether it's a simple lintel above a sliding door or a complex dilatation to accommodate the (thermal) expansion of masonry in high-rise projects: our engineers are happy to translate the contractor's architectural details into structural details. Exactly according to the applicable requirements and quality marks, such as KOMO and Eurocode. But also in close consultation with the structural engineer and brick industry. We model the complete solution in BIM, select and recommend the best-suited products and remain involved until delivery and assembly, thus completely relieving the contractor."

New name, familiar service

"Until the end of 2020, we were called Halfen and sold Halfen products," Lammertink emphasizes. "Halfen, based in Borne, was a supplier to the construction industry and part of CRH. However, the CRH 'construction materials' division had several companies, selling both different and overlapping products for the construction industry. Ancon, Aschwanden, Connolly, Helifix, Isedio, MeadowBurke, Moment, Plaka and Thermomass. At the end of 2020, these companies merged under one new name: Leviat. The old company names have become our product brands." At the end of 2021, Leviat acquired the company Scaldex in Deventer. "This also made Scaldex one of our product brands in the Netherlands. Moreover, this created two local Leviat branches, in Borne and in Deventer. From Borne, mainly Halfen products are currently sold, while the focus in Deventer is on Scaldex products (gable supports and parapet supports)."

Even more knowledge and expertise

Leviat brings together the expertise, skills and resources of the CRH companies into one global organization, with 3,000 employees in 60 locations in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. But also into an organization in which each brand and department contributes its own knowledge and expertise. "In our Borne and Deventer locations, there is a lot of knowledge and expertise available," Lammertink emphasizes. "Moreover, we can exchange information across departments and even countries, from which contractors and concrete manufacturers reap the sweet fruits. They also benefit from an even more extensive product range. Because we develop our design and calculation software in-house, we can guarantee optimal integration and cooperation in the chain. Customers who wish to do so can also use our software to perform their own strength calculations. Many of our products are included in BIM libraries."

Safer, faster, stronger and more durable

Leviat's main objective is to increase efficiency and safety on construction sites worldwide. "We also help contractors and concrete manufacturers to build faster," Siertsema said. "Among other things, our precast anchors and lifting equipment make an important contribution to this. Included in our product range are various anchoring techniques that enable contractors to build loosely (and thus more sustainably) without sacrificing strength, rigidity and stability. And our gable supports also take these properties to the highest level."

The name Leviat was chosen quite deliberately, Siertsema and Lammertink conclude. "'Lev' is Latin for lightweight, agile and lifting/lifting, while 'Levi' stands for joining together in harmony. Moreover, 'Levia' refers to the combined forces, with which we confidently face the future."