This creates an equally light-rich environment inside as outside – both practical and pleasant. In addition, Vermako Cover Solutions offers spans of over 60 m and has even developed some movable structures such as its container and semi-modular canopies.
At Vermako, they had a lot of work each year until the agricultural season began. Because their workload fluctuated with the seasons, the company that develops greenhouses for the agricultural industry began looking for a company to handle the peaks and troughs. In 2014, Vermako Cover Solutions was born, a subsidiary that would bet on canopies for the industry. Meanwhile, its offerings include structures with foil and metal coverings mounted on concrete blocks or on-site poured concrete walls and foil conservatories, container, and semi-modular canopies. “With conservatories, the leg height can go up to 5.5 m, but with Covers we are unlimited in height and spans. We often apply a similar foil roof as in conservatory construction,” says Karl Maes of Vermako. “We believe that recycling, processing and storage companies benefit from a translucent roof.” So the canopy specialist frequently uses translucent foil roofs in projects. They provide a brighter working environment that traditional metal canopies often lack. As a result, there are fewer accidents and potential fires, which Maes says frequently occur in the recycling sector, can be detected and extinguished more quickly. “This is a significant advantage that is immeasurable in a price comparison,” said Frederik Wittevrongel of Vermako.
Large spans
“One of our strengths is large spans,” says Wittevrongel. In a foil canopy at a recycling site owned by Hector Van Moer & Zonen, the company spanned at least 50 m. To accommodate the large forces, it used trusses with box sections and concrete walls poured on site. This created larger and safer work areas. Still, concrete piles can also form a basis for structures. “In the Bluegate project in Hoboken, Deme wanted a temporary canopy,” Wittevrongel says. In it, the company is carrying out cleaning work on contaminated soil for four years. “Afterwards, we will dismantle and rebuild that canopy at another Deme site,” he continues. “So the canopies are also circular.”
Reclaimed canopies
Several years ago, Vermako was contacted by a company that wanted a removable canopy with robust walls. The solution turned out to be a canopy that rests on shipping containers. “The various components can be shipped in the containers, which also serve as walls, wind bracing and columns. In them we place enough ballast, according to the calculations of our stability engineers, so that it takes over the function of the foundations,” Wittevrongel assures. Currently, Vermako is building such a canopy for the WECANDANCE festival on the beach in Zeebrugge. “The canopy comes from a client nearby for whom the canopy became redundant,” Wittevrongel explains. “That was convenient because of time constraints. It was a good match.” Even with its semi-modular canopies, the company meets the customer’s needs if they want a movable canopy. The 10 m by 15 m modules can also be expanded at any time. Currently, Vermako Cover Solutions is dismantling a Renewi site in Houthalen, which will then be set up again in a different configuration in Puurs.
Not words, but deeds
At Vermako, they like to see results and own the process from production to assembly. “We think according to the principle not words, but deeds,” says Maes. “If we say we will be there tomorrow, we will make sure of it. Good agreements make good friends.” Extensive machinery and good organization ensure that promised delivery deadlines are met. Since starting up, the canopy specialist has already gained a lot of fame. “Now more and more larger companies are knocking on our door,” Wittevrongel says. “So we have fairly broken through in the canopy market for the industrial and recycling sector.” The company has already developed canopies for Dufour and De Meuter, among others, as well as for port companies such as DP World, Greenyard and BASF.
With Vermako’s industrial canopies, you choose durable and customized solutions that support your business operations, no matter what the circumstances. We deliver quality so you can focus on what really matters.
source: RecyclePro
