Rotterdam opts for West Frisian sobriety in building City of the Future

In conversation with Rudy Schipper, owner of Intal, it quickly becomes clear what makes the Opmeer-based company so successful in the world of façade construction and urban high-rise buildings. "We once started small, but always with a clear vision," he explains. "With our down-to-earth, West Frisian mentality and the will to continuously innovate, we have grown into a player of stature. Our working method, combined with innovation, makes us a sought-after partner in cities such as Rotterdam, among others."

From West Friesland to Rotterdam skyline

Intal has grown from a local systems house and facade builder to a prominent player in the facade construction market. "Our strength lies in our self-developed aluminum profile systems and the way we have complete control over all our processes," Schipper explains. This independence allows Intal to respond quickly to market demands, which is essential in inner-city construction projects where speed and precision are key. "In projects such as Blaak 16, OurDomain, Downtown and the recently completed Kop van Noord, we bring our down-to-earth approach to Rotterdam. This city appreciates our practical, no-nonsense way of working and we enjoy the challenging opportunities we get here."

Smart building for complex projects

Inner-city construction presents major challenges, especially with the limited space on building sites. "You have to be able to move quickly," says Schipper. "Many construction sites are no larger than the building itself, there are often narrow access roads and limited storage space." Intal responds to this with smart solutions such as the Intal CLIX system, which delivers fully glazed window frames ready-to-use to the construction site. "This allows us to work at lightning speed. The frames can be assembled almost immediately on site, reducing lead times and minimizing inconvenience. For contractors, this saves time and costs, while local residents are less inconvenienced by the construction work."

Innovation and efficiency at the base

Intal's innovative production methods are the basis of its success. "Our fully automated production line enables us to produce large volumes quickly," says Schipper. "Especially the increasing demand for repetitive work in urban high-rise buildings requires this efficiency. Thanks to our automation, we can meet this and remain competitive."

Ready for the future: doubling capacity

The Intal Group has made strategic acquisitions to maintain complete control over the entire process, from powder coating to thermal insulation of its own aluminum profiles. "This offers our customers the predictability they are looking for: consistent quality, fast production and reliable delivery," Schipper said. "We want to double our production volume, and with the current growth and our fully automated production line, this is achievable without compromising on quality or delivery reliability." Urban high-rise buildings therefore remain an attractive market for Intal, alongside sectors such as recreation, healthcare centers, commercial real estate, distribution centers and sports facilities.

The sky is the limit

Rotterdam remains an interesting development area for Intal. "Although we are from West Friesland, we feel at home in Rotterdam. Our down-to-earth approach fits well with the city's pragmatic mentality," Schipper said. "We are proud that Rotterdam is increasingly choosing our innovative and efficient aluminum facade solutions. The challenges and dynamics of this city give us energy and we look forward to the challenging projects ahead." He concludes, "As down-to-earth West Frisians, we keep both feet on the ground, but continue to build up to the clouds. Or as they would say in Rotterdam: no words but deeds - the sky is the limit."