Sustainability is already an integral part of our work process

We’re dealing with EPCM contracts more and more often. It’s still Engineering, but now it also includes Procurement and Construction Management. These days, we’re also meeting with clients much earlier in the process to help them think through their plans, and we stay involved until construction is complete. Previously, the client had its own project team. Now, that client focuses on its core business and outsources the necessary services for a project.’

Almost all projects these days are under time pressure. That’s why Vicoma discusses the procurement strategy with the client in advance and formalizes it, as this often determines the schedule. As a result, René is also seeing an increase in procurement activities. “It’s not just a matter of saying, ‘Oh, I’ll just buy a pump or a compressor’; it often involves large systems or parts thereof. These are complex processes. Do you base your purchase on price, delivery time, or a combination of both? And procurement alone isn’t enough. Is the documentation ready on time? Is everything delivered on time? Does it meet the specified quality requirements, and is everything complete and undamaged? Of course, this also includes construction contracts with contractors. All of this falls under procurement, and we’re hiring more and more people for this purpose.”

Project Management Competencies

“A different kind of person,” says René. “People who have the skills needed for project management. Who take the burden off a client from start to finish, with a deep commitment to that client’s process. Who also proactively identify when something isn’t going well and take action to correct it. All of this places a heavy demand on the independence and organizational skills of our project managers. But when you really think about it, it applies to all of our people.”

3D Software

The drafters have long since disappeared from the Vicoma offices. René: “These days, it’s all 3D software and other databases that are used to create many of our documents. As a result, we need fewer and fewer people to do the drafting.”

Sustainability

Is sustainability an issue in Vicoma’s market? René: “Absolutely. We’re seeing these kinds of projects more and more often. For example, neighboring companies that are starting to engage in energy exchange. We also oversaw the entire process leading up to the completion of Ioniqa, the plastics recycling plant in Geleen that can recycle PET indefinitely. Thanks to this innovative process, Ioniqa was recently named a National Icon. Naturally, we’re proud that Vicoma played a part in making this happen.”

Here in Hoogvliet, we do a lot of work in the process industry. Sustainability is a top priority for our clients. They have no choice but to make it one. If not because the government requires it, then certainly to keep costs down through energy savings. I wouldn’t say that sustainability is second nature to us, but it’s actually already an integral part of our work process. What else can we do to ensure maximum energy efficiency? That’s something you’re always thinking about, regardless of the nature of the project.’