“ C.A. de Groot is far ahead of the construction industry”—that’s the motto of the Alkmaar-based family business. And that’s exactly right; prior to construction, C.A. de Groot performs demolition and dismantling work, among other things. But the motto also highlights the family’s innovative spirit. The C.A. de Groot Group has been making its mark since 1954. Today, the family business has expanded significantly and is now run by the third generation of the De Groot family.

From asbestos removal to waste collection

The C.A. de Groot Group started out in 1954 in the demolition business. In the 1990s, the family business added asbestos removal to its services. Pieter Kesselaar: “In addition, we started soil remediation about ten years ago, and we also collect waste. These activities complement each other well and align with a circular economy.

Long-Term Relationship

C.A. de Groot works for a wide range of companies in the construction sector, as well as for government agencies and insurance companies, for example. Kesselaar: “We carry out ‘normal’ scheduled demolition work, but we’re also available to respond to emergencies. Think of major industrial fires, where asbestos must be removed quickly. Quality is always central to our work. So we actively collaborate with the client and manage a project from start to finish. We want a client to know in advance what they’re getting into—and not have a project suddenly involve much more than expected. That’s why we’re truly committed to building long-term relationships.”

Stability

It is precisely this focus on long-term relationships that ensures stability at C.A. de Groot. Kesselaar: “Even in economically challenging times. Attracting new clients might be more difficult then, especially if a price-war market emerges. But existing clients know our quality and aren’t quick to switch. Still, we feel the impact when the construction industry is struggling. Simpler projects, for example, may dry up, but the more complex assignments keep coming.” De Groot adds: “Right now, the market looks good for us. In fact, finding good staff is one of our challenges at the moment. Fortunately, staff turnover is very low, so we don’t feel the effects of this shortage as much.”

Reusing Complete Elements

Another challenge for C.A. de Groot is reusing elements from existing buildings. Kesselaar: “Vacant buildings in the Netherlands generate a massive flow of materials. ‘Regular’ recycling results in energy loss and a heavy CO2 footprint, since raw materials have to be reprocessed. From this perspective, we participate in various initiatives in the field of circular demolition. The goal is to reuse more complete elements in the new construction process. Think, for example, of glass that gets a second life. This reuse is a wonderful concept, and we’re happy to be a part of it.”

All certifications under one roof

Sustainability is high on C.A. de Groot’s agenda. Kesselaar: “This is one of the reasons why we obtained certification for the CO2 Performance Ladder. This allows us to demonstrate that the environment is important to us. Safety is another area where VCA certification has driven a change in behavior; safety is our top priority, and it’s also a top priority for our clients. We have consolidated all our certifications with Normec Certification. These include ISO 9001, ISO 14001, the CO2 Performance Ladder (Level 3), VCA, SVMS 007 (demolition), SC 530 (asbestos removal), and BRL SIKB 7000 (soil remediation). We chose Normec Certification when our former certifying body stopped issuing the demolition certificate. We’d heard positive feedback about Normec Certification from the market. We were then able to make the switch easily. Normec Certification works with auditors who know our business inside and out. They listen carefully and respond quickly.” De Groot adds: “It’s nice to have all our certifications managed by a single provider. It allows for open communication with the auditor. That way, a single word is enough.”

"It’s nice to have all our certifications managed by a single provider. It allows for open communication with the auditor. That way, a single word is all it takes."

- Kees de Groot, Managing Director of ‘C.A. de Groot’