Maréchal Elektro makes miles with Draka Profit

The former Einstein office building on the Kabelweg in Amsterdam has been completely gutted. At the end of 2024, the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) will move in here with offices and a maximum of 650 refugees in 106 housing units. The hull is an ideal starting situation for Maréchal Elektro to completely renew the electrical installation. The ET installation company from Den Bosch is therefore happy to take care of transformations: "Everything is known at the front end and we do not have to deal with an interim change in user wishes," says project leader Toine van Osch. "With the exception of five types of homes, this project is a lot of repetitive work, so we can make production."

Like a well-oiled machine

Despite the repetitive work, there is also plenty of challenge for the mechanics. "Everything is covered, from new LS distributors of 630A and 1000A to meter boxes per home and distribution boards, the complete lighting and pipes for access control. And it runs like a well-oiled machine," says the project manager the day after the top three of eleven floors have been completed. Mainly thanks to experience on other projects, short lines of communication and a flexible shell of favorite professionals from Curaçao, he explains. "Time pressure doesn't bother us."

Pre-wired tube favorite

Efficiency is a common thread running through the project planning of the Brabant-based family business, which is best known for thinking in terms of solutions, clarity and keeping agreements. That is why the company uses pre-wired conduit (Profit) from Draka where possible. "That takes less time than traditional cable laying. And even at a length of 10 meters, if you have laid decent bends, you can still replace a wire. For example, if it has been damaged by construction work. You can't do that with other pre-wired tubes."

Draka Profit on reel works 'super fine'

The entire building will be equipped with power cables and pre-wired conduit from Draka Profit. Also

the office spaces for the COA on the ground floor and the first floor. Initially, Maréchal wanted to use 100 m Profit electrical rings. But because of the bulk of cabling (200 m per residential unit alone), Draka's account manager (Roger van Bracht) advised to process reels with 300 meters of Profit. "At first, we didn't want to, out of habit. Still, we started with it and it works great. You put down a reel and can pull cable right away. And you only have one piece of waste per 300 meters. That's super nice." After the construction holidays, the company will start transforming an office into 226 student apartments in Rotterdam, again with Draka Profit.

Environmentally conscious choice

Maréchal Elektro has the Profit cables supplied on plastic reels. An environmentally conscious choice, because she can return it after use via Draka's Reel Return Service and the ET wholesaler. And Draka Profit has even more environmental benefits. For example, Draka produces the entire range (more than 35 combinations) entirely in-house and at one location (Emmen). In this way, it not only saves on transport, but also guarantees top quality (KEMA KEUR, ICTA 3342 standard) and short delivery times. In addition, the flexible tube, which remains flexible even under extreme temperatures (-25 to +90 ºC), is 100 percent halogen-free.

To the fullest

With Draka's unsolicited advice, the installation company saves time, material (less cutting waste) and therefore money. Van Osch: "Draka offers very good feedback and support and always calls back. The employees are highly skilled and their products are top-notch. That's why Draka is always our first choice."