By rosebell
The process of acquiring Maidl Tunnelconsultants (MTC), which is a renowned specialist consultant in underground infrastructure, tunnel engineering, and tunnel boring technology, was done by Dutch consultancy and engineering firm Witteveen+Bos, whereas this acquisition strengthens Witteveen+Bos’s expertise and services in the infrastructure sector.
According to Witteveen+Bos business line director Leonie Koops: “The two companies had known each other for decades.Our collaboration dates back to the North-South Line, one of the most complex and prestigious infrastructure projects in the Netherlands. In recent years, we have regularly worked together. Both parties look back positively, for example, on a recent study for a bored tunnel to help bring energy from wind farms ashore. This acquisition allows us to intensify our collaboration and offer a wider range of expertise to our clients. It also allows us to further integrate our respective fields and take advantage together of the opportunities offered by digitalisation. That will create a lot of opportunities for us, including internationally.”
Koops said the company wanted to be less dependent on infrastructure developments in the Netherlands. “Also, our own expertise on bored tunnels primarily relates to soft soils with high groundwater levels, whereas MTC’s bored tunnel expertise covers all possible scenarios,” she said.
While Jeroen de Leeuw and Dr Ulrich Maidl are going to oversee the new unit, the name Maidl Tunnelconsultants will be retained for the new Witteveen+Bos business unit.
Ulrich Maidl said: “The chance now exists to exploit opportunities presented by digitalisation as well as, for example, 3D FEM calculations, which accurately predict the strength, stiffness and durability of structures. Further developing our real-time data management system, PROCON, also has a prominent place on our joint agenda.”
Also Jeroen de Leeuw added: “With the addition of high-end expertise on bored tunnels, the company now had demonstrable experience with all possible techniques for constructing any kind of tunnel.After all, clients often do not know whether an immersed or a bored tunnel would be most suitable for their project. The expertise, diverse portfolio, and network that Witteveen+Bos and MTC now jointly possess in this specific international market will be an important factor for ensuring stable returns in the coming years.”
