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Boundless craftsmanship in aluminum and steel. Rahe Buigwerken, headed by Raoul Henderickx, has developed over nearly three decades into an indispensable player in the world of bent aluminum and steel profiles in every conceivable shape. “From round windows and doors to complete facade constructions: you can't think of a shape or we can make it,” emphasizes Henderickx, who highlights some telling examples in this article. From a skyscraper in the desert near Qatar to an apartment complex on Cruquiusweg in Amsterdam and the prestigious Meir Corner in Antwerp.
Rahe Buigwerken bends aluminum profiles for the facade industry, automotive sector, lighting industry, Boeing aircraft and public transport, among others. “We work for a variety of companies at home and abroad,” says Henderickx, citing major facade builders as examples. “We are by far the only specialist in the Netherlands that offers high-quality bending techniques for aluminum window frames. Moreover, we take the complete package off your hands. From bending the profiles to finishing and complete delivery. Short lines and a direct, customer-oriented approach make the difference. Customers do not get a telephone operator on the line, but have direct contact with me.”
Innovation is a constant factor within the company. “Each new profile requires new techniques, and we often experiment until we find the perfect bend,” Henderickx says. “And the finishing techniques, such as anodizing and powder coating, are also constantly being developed and refined.” For powder coating, Rahe Bending works with a major local powder coater. For the heavy curtain wall profiles, Henderickx also joined forces with Kersten Group in Wanssum.
Because Rahe Buigwerken can bend all brands of frame profiles, its craftsmanship can be found in numerous projects. From large to small, Henderickx says. The nicest projects? “Those are projects with just a little bit more challenge. For example, when we had to bend some 535 window frames for an apartment complex on Cruquiusweg in Amsterdam. But also project De Walvis in Amsterdam, where 295 small round window frames only 560 mm in diameter and with an opening sash not only had to fit perfectly, but also had to be able to open and close functionally. We love doing projects like that.”
Rahe Buigwerken is currently involved in the realization of 48 loft apartments in building ‘De Belgen’ at the Sphinxcour in Maastricht, which is part of the old Sphinx factories. “In total, we make about ninety curved window frames, including rotating parts,” Henderickx says. “That brings the total number of curved elements to 270. Impressive was also a project in the desert near Qatar, where we collaborated on a 78-story skyscraper. In addition, we realized the curved window frames for the Central Bank of Aruba.”
In Antwerp, Rahe Buigwerken is working on behalf of Kersten Group on the prestigious Meir Corner, where retail chain Zara will open its largest store in the world. Here Rahe Buigwerken is responsible for bending the approximately eighty elements, which will then be anodized. “Kersten Group is then responsible for milling the elements, which are built in by the facade builder. In this way, we create a suitable solution for every project.”
