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Roofing company Gervalin of Dreumel and material manufacturer Soprema have been working together for decades. The relationship goes back to the previous generation. What began as a supplier relationship grew into a partnership in which knowledge and ambitions are shared.
Sebastiaan Gerritsen, director at Gervalin, is clear about why Soprema is a partner of the company. “First of all, we choose Soprema and its quality products so that our people can work with the best materials. Moreover, our standards and values are very similar. The people of Soprema always give a warm feeling and seek cooperation. As a processor of the waterproofing and insulation products, we are highly regarded and that also makes the cooperation very nice.”
Gervalin specializes in bituminous and plastic roofing structures for flat and pitched roofs. Soprema supplies the roofing systems that Gervalin incorporates on its construction projects. The partnership goes beyond ordering
and deliver.
Rowan Kütny, area sales manager south at Soprema, sees the interaction every day. “Gervalin makes a request for a work that is upcoming. As a producer, we look at that request. Sometimes we have ideas: if we do it this way or that way, it's better for everyone.” That knowledge works both ways. “We look from the production side, Gervalin from the processing side. We get more technical knowledge from the processing side through this cooperation,” adds Soprema commercial manager Roel Kreeft, referring to Gerritsen positively as an expert idiot in the field of plastics. “He goes so deep into the matter that we stock certain materials specifically for him. That goes down to the smallest details. He ‘pushes’ us to the limit, in a positive way, so that he can make better, more efficient roofs
can make.”
Soprema has its own CO2 calculator that shows the impact of different roof structures. Kütny: “Many clients believe that a product that has been around for years is also good. But when you look at sustainability, sometimes it turns out to be less than thought. From that information, we can provide Gervalin with data, which can be shared with the client.” Gerritsen recognizes that. “Together we tune systems. What can we improve? We also innovate together.”
Eric Swartjes, credit manager at Soprema, has been following the partnership for years. “Gervalin has grown tremendously. Then you have to think about financing and help each other. We talk about progress, how we can fix things and do things better.” According to Swartjes, that fits with a broader philosophy. “Our starting point is to build a relationship for life. That includes trust and working together.” Gerritsen sums up, “In good times and bad, we hold each other. That really makes working a lot more fun.”
