From steel construction company to systems integrator
Sustainable multidisciplinarity is the way to go. And with our known drivers in mind – passion, the power of innovation and know-how – we are making that happen in the Civil & Industry, Offshore Wind Foundations and Offshore Wind Substations markets. All of us together, because a lot of talent is on hand in our group. Engineering plays a major role as the department that helps us grow from a pure steel construction company to a systems integrator, with the mission of accelerating the energy transition. Manufacturing a sustainable world.
Offshore EPC contractor
For those who witnessed it decades ago... our engineering department started as a competent drawing and calculation office under the wings of our Technical Director Patrick Maes. The design & build approach proved to be the path to success for the most technically complex steel structures in Civil & Industry. A strategy we are now extending to Offshore Wind. We are presenting ourselves as a systems integrator and focus on EPC contracts (Engineering, Procurement, Construction). In recent years, we have invested heavily in electrical/mechanical engineering in order to develop and build offshore projects completely in-house (turnkey).
Electrical/mechanical engineering
In 2017, we created an initial team specialising in electrical/mechanical engineering, to install the electrical part in TPs (transition pieces). Remember, without a beating heart, there is no energy movement. Today, we are taking further, ambitious steps: developing OTMs (offshore transformer modules) and substations (HVAC) entirely in-house.
A key aspect of EPC contracts is the design according to applicable standards and Employer's Requirements. Our engineers are looking at how we can further optimise the process. After that, the focus shifts completely to feasibility: loads of design documentation, steel engineering studies and calculation notes, communication with suppliers and FATs (Factory Acceptance Tests).
“The work for our team starts during the tender phase, with a supporting role. Engineering tries to work out the high-level information in as much detail as possible. If Smulders is awarded the contract, the further detailed design will start. Lists are drawn up for procurement, and the electrical team makes the shift to production under the watchful eye of the project management. We are perfectly in tune with each other.” – Jean Charles Beauverger, Manager Electrical Engineering
Independent full-service provider
We are convinced, and the first projects are already proving it, that in-house electrical/mechanical engineering will allow us to switch more efficiently, in line with our steel projects.
Global solution with impact – We are in a position to offer customers the full package, without depending on design subcontractors.
Competences – We have the right competences in-house, and we are expanding them. All this to make faster and more decisive decisions.
Interfacing – Being able to perform the many interfaces involved in these turnkey projects completely in-house is an added value.
Cost efficiency – Standardisation and optimisation in design also has a positive effect on overall investment and operating costs. We can design, manufacture, integrate and install purposefully as a 'system team'.
Competence centre
Experience and competences are key to turning the integration scope into a reality. Challenging, but we commit to a continuous story. We focus for instance on knowledge in the preliminary stage so that our offshore projects are prepared to the maximum. We want to be a competence centre, with room for respectful meeting and knowledge sharing between our experienced engineers and new talent. A framework also to encourage our Smulders way of working, and where everyone has the opportunity to contribute to our growth as a systems integrator.
In doing so, we will remain true to our matrix structure, constructive partnerships and activities within steel construction, and we will expand existing departments with new competences, flows and processes. Realising our sustainable ambitions will definitely be a WE story.
