New lab for Eurofins in the works

Tightly planned, smartly built

Building a laboratory in a time frame that would make most contractors sweat? For Burgland Bouw, it's a challenge rather than a problem. A new modern laboratory for Eurofins Analytico B.V. is currently being built in Amersfoort, marking a huge leap forward in automation. The construction is complex and the planning tight, but project leader Teus Verhoef is not letting himself get crazy. "We are on schedule and we will keep it that way."

Burgland Bouw is a medium-sized contractor with about eighty permanent employees and an impressively broad portfolio. From schools and distribution centers to apartment complexes, sports centers with swimming pools and thus even laboratories: the diversity is great, and that is precisely what keeps the work interesting, according to Verhoef. "We build projects from 0 to 50 million. What typifies us? Short lines, just doing it and not shying away from a challenge." That approach is made possible by the flat organizational structure. "Our director simply comes to the construction site among the carpenters. Everyone has the same DNA here: we are real builders with decisiveness."

Moving quickly in Amersfoort

Construction of the new building with offices, meeting and conference rooms, laboratories, a warehouse and cold storage is progressing at a rapid pace. Since January, the structure has been erected and the building is now wind and watertight. The finishing work is in full swing. "To realize a fully functional laboratory in the shortest possible time: that is our mission. And that requires a tight schedule," says Verhoef.

Coordinating, aligning, through

What is special about this project is not only the end goal, but especially the process. "Because the processes in the laboratory require complex installations and these are at least as important as the architectural jacket," says Verhoef. "We therefore work closely with installation partner Van Dorp. Everything revolves around coordination between the various disciplines, the client and the users who will soon be working in the building."

Sustainability also plays an important role. The facade will be fitted with some 700 m² of solar panels, there will be solar carports on the parking lots, and the entire building will be smartly connected to the grid. "From the beginning, we looked closely at how we could build with grid congestion, rather than suffering from it," says Dr. K. K., who is also the owner of the building.

Satisfied customer is the real goal

If it is up to Verhoef, soon not only the building will be impressive, but especially the construction process. "We want Eurofins to soon look back with pleasure. Financially it has to be right, but satisfied clients, that's what we really do it for."