Niko VerboomKH Engineering is developing a new operational strategy for delivering EPCm services. These services are deployed to execute projects after investment approval. This approach responds to the growing demand from clients for unburdening and predictability, and at the same time offers their own employees more engagement and job satisfaction. ‘We want to make a structural and visible shift from design to realisation’, says project manager Niko Verboom.
EPCm is a contract model in which KH Engineering not only provides the design (engineering), but also supports the procurement process and carries out construction management. This means KH Engineering is involved throughout the entire process following the client’s investment decision. ‘We don’t just deliver designs – we also guide the realisation of the project, all the way through to commissioning and handover’, Niko explains. ‘That involvement makes the difference: you get to see exactly how the design comes to life.’
a strategic choice
Many industrial companies have downsized their internal project organisations. They lack the capacity and experience to independently manage large investment projects. ‘Our clients want to be unburdened’, says commercial manager Kees Vonk. ‘That’s where we step in. KH Engineering brings a wealth of experience in engineering and project supervision. By also taking on construction management, we help clients achieve their goals more quickly and efficiently.’ KH Engineering has already successfully supported various construction projects on site. They have done so previously at Neste, and we are currently supporting site operations at AVR and Cosun Beet Company. We also expect to be involved in future projects with Vesta Terminals.
Opportunities for employees
For engineers and project managers, EPCm offers the opportunity to follow a project from start to finish. ‘You begin at your desk and then accompany the project to the construction site. It makes the work more tangible and varied’, Niko notes. ‘Moreover, working closely with contractors and suppliers creates a valuable exchange of knowledge and experience. A more stable flow of EPCm projects allows us to build a more robust internal project organisation, so that eventually we can manage the full scope ourselves.’
benefits for clients
EPCm offers clients three key benefits: predictability, quality and continuity. Niko: ‘Because we are involved from the study phase, we can identify risks early on and organise the project efficiently. We take responsibility for integrating the design, planning and execution, and solving issues in the field. This builds trust and prevents surprises during construction.’ An additional advantage is that clients are less dependent on their own project teams. ‘Especially for one-off projects, we can take a lot of work off their hands as a dedicated partner’, Kees adds. ‘At Cosun Beet Company in Vierverlaten, for instance, KH Engineering is closely involved in the design and construction planning of a complex project. And at a (petro)chemical company in Belgium, KH Engineering is carrying out EPCm work under a framework agreement for modification projects.’
Van projectpartner naar realisatiepartner
With its renewed focus on EPCm, KH Engineering is clearly positioning itself as a company that not only engineers projects but also delivers them from start to finish. This fits with our ambition to build long-term relationships with clients. ‘We consciously choose collaboration’, Niko says. ‘With EPCm, we remain jointly responsible with the client. This ensures better alignment, faster decision-making and higher quality. And for our employees, it offers the chance to help build something that truly comes to life.’
For more information about EPCm within projects, please contact Kees Vonk or Niko Verboom.