Dutch timber pioneer De Groot Vroomshoop leads sustainable construction revolution
Discover how De Groot Vroomshoop, a 99-year-old Dutch company, is transforming construction with sustainable timber solutions. Their prefab homes and buildings are helping housing associations build greener, faster, and more efficiently—impacting communities across the Netherlands.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Company Name | De Groot Vroomshoop |
| Location | Vroomshoop, Overijssel, Netherlands |
| Founded | 1927 |
| Site Size | 10 hectares |
| Operating Companies | Bouwsystemen, Houtbouw, Gelijmde Houtconstructies |
| Specialization | Prefab timber elements, residential buildings, schools, offices |
| Parent Company | VolkerWessels |
| Sustainability Focus | Circular, innovative, and sustainable timber construction |
| Notable Projects | Residential construction, care institutions, education, business sector |
| Mayor’s Quote | "Many housing associations consciously choose timber construction." |
De Groot Vroomshoop operates under VolkerWessels, a major Dutch construction and infrastructure company, positioning it as a key player in sustainable building practices. The local government of Twenterand collaborates with such companies to promote innovative and eco-friendly housing solutions in the region.
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Behind the scenes at timber builder De Groot Vroomshoop
During the visit of the mayor and aldermen to timber specialist De Groot Vroomshoop in the eponymous town, it quickly became clear how impressive the company is. The site covers no less than 10 hectares. Walking through the halls, one sees that everything revolves around wood. Directors Wim Sturris and Gerard Beltman took the administrators and the company contact officer through the company’s history and explained how De Groot Vroomshoop has developed into a leading player in timber construction.
The company’s origins date back to 1927. Founder Jan Jacob de Groot started a timber trade at the time. In those days, the company mainly built chicken coops and simple holiday homes. Remarkably, the chicken coops already had windows, so the animals received sufficient light. “Actually, we were already working on what we now call prefab back then,” Sturris explains. Products were made in the factory at an early stage, which was unique for the time. Beltman adds: “We were also working on circularity in 1927, although we obviously didn’t call it that back then. To this day, we build in a circular, innovative and sustainable way.”
Timber construction specialist
Within VolkerWessels, De Groot Vroomshoop is the timber construction specialist. The company in Vroomshoop consists of three operating companies: Bouwsystemen, Houtbouw and Gelijmde Houtconstructies. Together, they serve the entire timber market. The factories produce prefab elements for, among other things, residential construction, care institutions, education and the business sector. De Groot Vroomshoop aptly calls the factory in Enschede, where ready-made homes are built, “the Factory of Timber Buildings,” as founder Jan Jacob de Groot already referred to his factory on postcards and promotional material.
Excellent craftsmanship
According to Sturris, the continuous development of De Groot Vroomshoop is due to more than just excellent craftsmanship. “We don’t just produce and build; we also come up with smart solutions. This is why contractors recognize us as a leading supplier of prefab timber elements and timber structures. Clients are happy to do business with us as a design-build contractor for complete timber residential buildings, schools and offices,” Sturris says. The administrators of Twenterand were impressed by the wide range of products and the many residential construction projects. Mayor Gerrit Jan Gorter says about this: “It’s remarkable to see that, through collaboration with De Groot Vroomshoop, many housing associations consciously choose timber construction.”