Tata Steel Netherlands is one of Europe’s largest steel producers. The company site covers 750 hectares and is located directly on the North Sea. They produce around six million tonnes of steel per year, which is used in cars, housing, and machinery. According to Head of Engineering Frans Tillemans, the people from KH Engineering are indispensable for Tata Steel Netherlands.
Frans Tillemans studied Chemical Engineering at TU Delft and previously worked at the research centre ECN and various engineering firms. In 2018, he started as Head of Engineering Management at Tata Steel Netherlands. For the past two years, he has led eight departments with around 200 employees at this location. ‘In our engineering activities, we gratefully use the services of KH Engineering,’ says Frans. ‘I find them to be a special partner, in a positive sense. They have an enormous amount of knowledge about our company site, the installations, the way of working here, and the processes we have. I enjoy sparring with an external engineering firm. That is why, when I started as Head of Engineering, I strengthened the ties with KH Engineering, especially in the area of E&I and machine construction.’
Well-versed
‘At Tata Steel Netherlands, we find it helpful to define the scope of various projects together with an external party. This offers, for example, a slightly broader perspective. We like to engage with a company we trust. KH Engineering understands that process and has mastered it. They can make a good assessment of what we need and how best to approach the project.’
Working more effectively
Recently, Frans has made efforts to have KH Engineering execute not only small projects but also large and multidisciplinary ones. ‘With one party that has all the necessary disciplines in-house, you can simply work more effectively,’ he believes. ‘They listen well to what we need. Moreover, they are really at home here. Literally and figuratively: very often, KH Engineering people are permanently working at our site. And they must not leave, because they have so much knowledge about our installations.’
Great trust
Why does Frans continue to choose KH Engineering? ‘Engineering is people work,’ he states. ‘I have great trust in this company and a good connection with the people. When I call their Operations Manager, I know I will be assisted immediately. And if things go wrong, we tell each other the truth. Fortunately, it usually goes well, and they tackle our problem right away. They simply understand what we expect from them at that moment and do it well. We have an excellent relationship, and I personally value that highly. It doesn’t have to be so formal for me; I prefer a pragmatic approach.’
Sustainability projects
Besides the daily work, there is another aspect of KH Engineering that appeals to Frans: ‘they keep us sharp and challenge us to sometimes choose a different solution than we initially had in mind. They deal with many more companies and see how some things can be done differently or better. I notice that they also fulfil that role well. This is especially useful in sustainability projects. I hope to continue our relationship for a long time!’
For more information about Tata Steel: https://www.tatasteelnederland.com/en
Tata Steel Netherlands is a ‘first-hour client’ of KH Engineering. Ever since KH Engineering was established, 75 years ago this year, both companies have been working together. To make the Netherlands less dependent on steel imports from abroad, the first steel factory was built in 1918, then under the name Koninklijke Hoogovens en Staalfabrieken. IJmuiden was chosen because of the good sea connection via the North Sea Canal. Over time, the company grew into a large complex with a production of approximately six million tonnes of steel per year. In 2007, it was taken over by the Indian Tata Steel. Due to the company's climate impact, Tata Steel Netherlands wants to switch to producing CO2-neutral 'Green Steel'. Additionally, the company is investing millions to limit the impact (think of dust, odour, and noise) on the immediate environment of the company.