Week of 19 February
1. Update on Pallas foundation works (The Netherlands)
At the Pallas project site in Petten (The Netherlands), the BESIX - Franki Foundations team is currently boring five test piles to 50.5 metre-depth. The test is carried out to prepare for the actual work in the construction pit. If you want to learn more about this pile-boring process, have a look at the video! Eddy Huisman, Drilling Operator, is telling you all about it.
BESIX was chosen by Pallas as the contractor to build the construction pit and carry out the foundation works for the new PALLAS reactor. PALLAS is building this reactor in North Holland for the 30,000 patients who are dependent on the production of medical radioisotopes daily.
More information on this project in issue # 117 of our INSIDE magazine.
2. GNB Béton on the future of concrete (Belgium)
Last Monday, GNB Béton, part of Socogetra, organised a conference on the future of concrete for its major stakeholders. Representatives of construction companies, project managers, site superintendents, and material buyers received valuable information on several topics such as the future of cement and its impact on CO2 emissions, the BENOR certification for ready-mix concrete, how to optimize reinforced concrete, the potential of their GN Blocks, and many more.
Based in the province of Namur, GNB Béton is a producer of ready-mixed concrete and GN-Blocks (concrete blocks that can be stacked, eliminating the need for mortar).
3. Top Management visit at Te Kaha (Australia)
Jean-Pol Bouharmont, Executive Chairman of BESIX Watpac, recently visited the Te Kaha stadium project site with BESIX Watpac CEO Mark Baker. They both had the opportunity to witness the progress of the works for Canterbury’s new Multi-Use Arena for Christchurch City Council. In the background of the photos, you can see how this complex structure is taking shape. The team in Canterbury recently started putting into place the forty radial trusses that will support the building’s roof.
4. Tower crane is up at Karel de Grote site (Belgium)
A huge tower crane has just made its appearance in the busy neighbourhood of the Meir, the major shopping street in the heart of Antwerp, ready to be used on the Karel de Grote Hogeschool site.
The higher education institution Karel de Grote Hogeschool and project developer Meir Corner awarded BESIX and Wycor the contract for a new campus and retail space last Spring. The project comprises the transformation (combination new build and renovation) of a building complex including the former site of Belgian telecommunications company Belgacom (now: Proximus) and its two adjacent buildings.
And then this... Ivory Coast winner of the Coupe d’Afrique des Nations
On 11 February, our colleagues working on the Tour F project celebrated the victory of Ivory Coast at the Coupe d’Afrique des Nations, a football competition between Africa's top men's national teams. This is the Ivory Coast’s third victory so far!
