Week of 24 February
1. Progress at the Deep Maintenance and Modification Facility project (Australia)
The BESIX Watpac team working on the DMMF project (maintenance hangars for the military aircraft of the Australian Air Force) has made significant progress since construction began in August 2024. The structural steel for the first of four hangars is now complete, with the second hangar set to follow later this month. Precast works are also moving ahead, with installations for the first and second hangars successfully finished.
Furthermore, the team has started work at the adjacent Defence RAAF Base. They have also completed displacement works, and the line marking to shorten the runway will be carried out outside operational hours, allowing the civil team to work safely next to and on the active runway during the day. Keep up the good work, team DMMF!
2. Dutch King visits A16 highway project (the Netherlands)
Last week, His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and the Dutch Minister of Water Management, Barry Madlener, visited the A16 motorway project in Rotterdam! They were given a tour of some of the project’s key highlights, including the energy-neutral Rottemer Tunnel and the impressive 400-metre flyover across Terbregseplein.
The A16 project involves the design, build, financing and 20-year maintenance of an 11-kilometre stretch of motorway in the north of Rotterdam, which is is set to open at the end of this year. Best of luck with this last sprint, BESIX NL!
3. BESIX praised for its LEAN efforts (Belgium)
Our Methods & Planning colleagues had a proud moment last week as BESIX became the first contractor to take part in the LEAN Diamonds Awards. Even more impressively, we were one of just 13 finalists for our Lean Transformation Programme! This recognition highlights our commitment to implementing LEAN methodology, ensuring that all stakeholders—including subcontractors and suppliers—are actively involved in planning logistical and operational tasks. It was this collaborative approach that caught the attention of the Lean Analytics Association and earned us a finalist spot. A big congratulations to our LEAN team!
4. Major strides and safety moment at KevlinX data center project (Belgium)
In Neder-Over-Heembeek, near Brussels (Belgium), BESIX is building a new cutting-edge 32MW+ data center on behalf of KevlinX. Over the past two months, the team has made great strides: the first section of the steel roof structure for the equipment lift is up, and the initial sections of the substation have been handed over to our partner Equans, allowing them to kick off equipment installations. Together with BESIX Unitec, the team has installed the first section of fibre ducts, which paves the way for the next phase of electrical cable ducts.
In addition, BESIX and EQUANS took a moment to recognise the team’s hard work and reinforce HSE awareness, especially given the high-risk activities on-site, like heavy equipment lifting. Afterwards, a multilingual toolbox talk was held in French, Dutch, English, and even Portuguese. Well done, team KevlinX!
And then this... BESIX Young Community gathers in Belgium and the UAE!
Every year, BESIX Foundation volunteers take part in Operation Thermos, preparing and serving hot meals to the homeless in Brussels during the colder months. Last Thursday, the BESIX Young Community (BYC) in Belgium stepped up to contribute to this meaningful initiative!
That’s not all! The BYC in the Middle East also gathered last week for a site visit of the Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Museum in Abu Dhabi (UAE). BESIX Middle East is building these two world-class museums in Saadiyat Island, which is emerging as the cultural hub of the region. It’s amazing to see our young colleagues across the world come together!
The BESIX Young Community, or BYC, brings together BESIX employees under the age of 36, in particular through the organisation of activities aimed at creating a network and a community. Such communities exist in several countries where the Group is active.
