Lost time and failure costs due to frequently reinventing the wheel in construction

Jasper Sluimer has a clear vision of construction and how he wants to work in it. So when BIK bouw was founded in 2015, its ambitions were crystal clear: "We not only want to be the nicest company to work with and at, but we want to cooperate better and smarter throughout the chain."

BIK construction. It sounds so good that you would almost forget that BIK is an abbreviation. It stands for Building in Chains, and that is exactly what BIK bouw is all about. Sluimer: "We not only involve subcontractors in our projects from the beginning, but also suppliers. And we actively cooperate with knowledge partners. After all, combining all available knowledge creates the best solutions." That approach is paying off. "We are increasingly being found by clients," Sluimer says six years after the company was founded. His company's turnover has grown to some 30 million, and its distinctive approach to working together in an integrated way is catching the eye in the often still traditional construction industry.

BUILDING MORE EFFICIENTLY AND BETTER

Sluimer: "In construction, we still often reinvent the wheel on projects. The result is lost time and failure costs. By standardizing and automating in advance, we can build much more efficiently and better." An example of that conceptual and industrial approach is the innovative renovation concept 2ND skin, which BIK bouw launched. This involves providing the shell of existing homes with a new, high-quality insulated "second skin" in a short period of time. With this concept, developed with partners such as TU Delft and Climate-kic, more than 300 homes have already been successfully preserved.

"Combining all available knowledge creates the best solutions."

CIRCULAR

At 2ND skin, chain cooperation coincides with another of the company's spearheads: circularity. BIK bouw aims to have its operations energy-neutral by 2030 and to realize all its products energy-neutral. In that regard, the circular transformation of Rotterdam's iconic Tropicana swimming pool was a wonderful reference project for BIK bouw. "Parties increasingly know how to find us, for tenders or to think along without any obligation. We also like to share our knowledge and experience with the market," Sluimer says.

MAKING CONSTRUCTION MORE FUN

In a tight labor market, BIK bouw makes a difference by paying close attention to a good match with new employees. Sluimer: "It is important that people fit well with our values and our approach and then to put those people in their strengths." For temporary reinforcement, we work closely with Velox: "In addition to the quality of the people, the added value of Velox lies in thinking along with us. For example, about what all the developments mean for the competencies of employees, now and in the future. Or about how to remain attractive in the market with a strategic personnel policy," says Sluimer. "The vision of Velox therefore fits well with our chain idea. Because only together can we make construction even more fun!"