Security and accessibility: efficient access to buildings and grounds

ALCO Toegangstechniek Nederland (formerly: Slagbomen.nl) has been working with passion and love for years to provide innovative and reliable access technology for a broad customer base. We talk to Sandra Groeneveld, owner of ALCO. She takes us through the latest developments in the world of access technology.

ALCO Access Technology has a clear vision: "We strive to make access to buildings and grounds safe, efficient and simple. We believe that the right access technology not only increases security, but also comfort and user-friendliness," Groeneveld said. As a wholesaler, ALCO therefore supplies reliable and automated access systems to industry and installers, as well as to governments and owners' associations, for example. 

Something for everyone 

ALCO offers many different services and products: barriers, bollards, gate and door automation, garage and entrance doors, access control, turnstiles, safety devices and camera security. In doing so, the access system expert has a clear working method, Groeneveld explains. "Every situation is unique. Every home, office or industrial building has different characteristics. That's why we always check what the exact requirements are on site with the customer or installer. Sometimes we are also involved in a project from the very first drawings. In any case, we go through everything thoroughly so that customers know what to look out for during installation." 

"We have good contacts with companies in the installation service, so we can certainly help customers with the installation as well," Groeneveld continues. "After all, there are many things you have to pay attention to as an installer; in this we offer full guidance. Together with the customer, we take care of the placement, installation and, if desired, maintenance as well." 

License plate recognition and automation 

There are some great developments going on in access technology. One of them is automation. "And we are good at that!" emphasizes Groeneveld. For example, ALCO has specialized in the automation of heavy industrial access gates, barriers and barriers. "Think of swing gates of up to 12 meters per wing. This is where we are strong. We have a lot of knowledge about these products and their applications. Another example is the license plate recognition system. This is widely used in the transport sector, where trucks in particular drive. These can thus be safely and efficiently admitted to the fleet on their premises. And that gives many advantages: the access system automatically recognizes the registered license plates. So access passes or dialing in is no longer necessary."  

License plate recognition is installed in conjunction with a barrier or gate. Is the gate or barrier already in place? Then license plate recognition is an extension. If there is no gate or barrier yet, ALCO supplies the complete installation. This includes a new sliding gate or barrier with license plate recognition camera and possibly detection loops in the road surface. 

Automatic posts and proud dealer 

Automatic access poles are another specialty of ALCO. "You know them, those poles that sink into the ground," explains Groeneveld. "These are high-tech bollards that serve as object security. The poles are not called ram posts for nothing. We can supply these posts in different steel thicknesses and cross-sections, depending on the customer's requirements." 

"In addition to our own product portfolio, we are also proud dealers of great brands like Hörmann Netherlands," she concludes. "They also supply materials for heavy industry, such as road blockers. For example, these were installed in Germany during the European Championship 2024. And that was well received by many cities. That's why they are now also being rolled out in the Netherlands. So customers can also come to us for Hörmann's products. A great addition to our package!"