STOUT
Bemar
More than 15 years
New build
About Stout
Bouwonderneming Stout has been in business since 1908. After 114 years of being based in Hardinxveld-Giessendam, the company is now headquartered in Sliedrecht. Stout builds homes, offices, schools and healthcare facilities. It focuses primarily on new-build projects – although its sister company, Lagendijk-Stout, does have a renovation division.
Our partnership in the spotlight
Stout originally specialised in non-residential construction, but around 2010 the focus shifted towards residential building. That is also when Bemar, part of Interduct, came into the picture. Jos looked it up in the records for this interview: a project in Schiedam in 2010 was the first job. That marked the start of a long-standing partnership.
In 2015, Stout also developed its own concept home: the Stout-HUISmerk. Interduct company Bemar became the partner for the ventilation component. “A good working relationship and a good match developed from previous projects,” says Jos. “That led to the co-makership for our concept.”
Photo: Paul (Bemar) and Jos (Stout Construction)
Building together on expertise and trust
Stout outsources a great deal of work to subcontractors. There’s a good reason for that. “In terms of expertise, I can see that Bemar is a true specialist in the field of ventilation. That’s what we rely on. During the tendering process and the engineering phase, the company offers real technical added value.”
Jos sees a similar ethos between the two companies. “Our motto is ‘People for Buildings’. That means we look at the human aspect of projects. We build buildings for people, but we also look at the people working on them and the people we are working for. That’s not a slogan devised by an advertising agency. We came up with it ourselves. So it’s our identity.”
He recognises that quality in Interduct: “I see it in the people who’ve been there a long time, who’ve progressed within the company. I myself have progressed from an intern to a work planner and project manager. The open way we interact with people is the foundation for the synergy we have with each other.”
Photo: Paul (Bemar)
The strenght of partnership
The collaboration between the two companies is perhaps best compared to a marriage, says Jos. “There are ups and downs – it’s not all plain sailing. But when there are downs, you talk things through with each other. That’s what I think is important in a partnership: that you stay connected with each other through both good times and bad.”
A telling example of what collaboration can lead to: Stout outsources the installation disciplines (plumbing, electrical, ventilation) separately. This requires a great deal of coordination in the technical room. That is why, a few years ago, the construction company asked: couldn’t we make that prefabricated or more compact? Interduct took up that challenge and, together with Stout and the M&E contractors, developed the Powertrain, an installation skid.
Photo: Jos (Bouwonderneming Stout)
A look into the future
Jos believes we can expect more from this Powertrain – and perhaps other prefabricated solutions – in the future. The same goes for the focus on healthy living and a good indoor climate. As a builder, Stout also aims to make progress with the concept home: the goal is for 25% of turnover to come from the Stout ConceptenHUIS concepts in the long term. “Interduct is part of that too. Above all, let’s stay in touch with the market and continue to optimise and improve. Collaboration is the key to tackling many challenges in the future.”
Photo: Jos (Stout Construction) and Paul (Bemar)