'We make sure residents can live warm and shower'

Team ERAflats - a partnership between ERA Contour and Smits Vastgoedzorg - is working with a permanent team of its own employees and specialized chain partners to improve the maintenance and sustainability of ERAflats homes. One of these chain partners is Mampaey Installatietechniek, which ensures that residents can live and shower warmly.

The cooperation between ERA Contour and Mampaey Installatietechniek dates back to 2009. "In that year we were asked to present ourselves as co-makers for the construction of new homes," says Alex Hallatu, Commercial Director of Mampaey Installation Companies. "As a pilot project, we provided the central heating/mv installations in project De Vloot in Maassluis, which provides space for 96 care and rental apartments and various social and educational functions. From then on, the ball started rolling. Between 2009 and 2015, we developed various concept homes, such as beterBASIShuis and lekkerEIGENhuis, from the WOONlab partnership (with TBI companies ERA Contour, Koopmans Bouwgroep and Hazenberg Bouw) and together with the other co-makers. The same period also saw the expansion of ERA Contour's Renovation & Replacement department; a discipline in which our roots lie. Renovation and replacement in occupied condition have been our core business for more than a hundred years. So for this too, we were the partner of choice."

Treasure of knowledge and experience

Since 2014, ERA Contour and Smits Vastgoedzorg have been jointly responsible for the improvement maintenance and sustainability of ERAflat homes. In 2018, this collaboration was further professionalized with the creation of Team ERAflats. "We recently completed two major projects for this joint venture, with 504 homes at Purmerhoek in Capelle aan den IJssel and 390 homes at P.J. Oudplein and Gerbrandyplein in Zwijndrecht," Hallatu said. "Just like the previous projects for ERA Contour, we have gained a wealth of knowledge and experience in these flats, which we are applying one-on-one to current and new projects. We are getting better and better at working together. This shortens lead times, increases efficiency and job satisfaction and reduces failure costs to a minimum. We are currently involved in the improvement maintenance and preservation of the last of three 'High ERAs' in Rotterdam Ommoord, which were built in a similar way. We return to Capelle aan den IJssel at the end of the year, for the renovation of the Schermerhoek."

Sustainable and natural gas-free future

In Rotterdam Ommoord, three flats with a total of 525 homes are being prepared for a sustainable and natural gas-free future in a year and a half. Mampaey Installatietechniek is replacing the complete heating installation. "Per strang and from top to bottom we are realizing a completely new installation with new radiators and central heating pipes, which are neatly concealed in a plinth channel," says Cees Jongkoen, Project Manager at Mampaey Installatietechniek. "In addition, we provide the connection to the district heating units and the water-side adjustment, so that all radiators receive exactly the right amount of hot water." Hallatu: "On behalf of energy supplier Eneco, we also realize the transport pipes from the substation to the district heating units in the apartments. This is where our experience in utility projects (thick-walled piping) comes in very handy. Meanwhile, we also perform this work for other energy suppliers and contractor parties."

Renovation in occupied state

Basically, Mampaey Installation Technology starts up two homes every day. The total renovation per home will take 12 days. "Most residents use a guest house during the work," Jongkoen says. "In other homes, the residents are simply at home. No problem for us, because we are used to renovations in occupied condition. Together with the housing coaches of Team ERAflats, we try to inform residents as well as possible." To prevent them from sitting out in the cold during the work, electric heaters will be provided.

One challenge during operations is particularly the uncertain availability of materials such as radiators, thermostats and other components, Hallatu concludes. "To overcome problems in this area, we maintain close and direct contact with the manufacturers, i.c.w. the wholesalers. We also actively seek equivalent alternatives, so that a comfortable and sustainable home is guaranteed at all times."

Meanwhile, 75 percent of the project has been completed. In mid-June, Mampaey Installatietechniek will deliver the final home installations.