ABB Bouwgroep

“12Build helps us to work faster and more efficiently, and to do more work in less time,” says Wim. But that was not always the case. From 1999 to 2008, ABB Bouwgroep had all project drawings printed externally. “These drawings would arrive back in large boxes and be piled up in the long corridors,” explains Wim. “Each component of work had its own specific drawings, as it makes no sense to give the painter drawings that are meant for the plumber.”

Wim paints a picture of his colleagues filing behind each other in a procession carrying armfuls of drawings. Wim, laughing: “This was necessary to ensure it all went smoothly without losing the overview. Fortunately, we now work digitally and all invitations to tender go through 12Build.”

About ABB Bouwgroep: project developers and building contractors

ABB Bouwgroep has been a market leader in the development and construction of unique projects for almost 60 years. “It's a real family business and you can see that in everything we do,” says Wim. “It's a really pleasant environment with short lines of communication. The director's door is always open.”

“We've seen an enormous growth in just a few years,” he continues. ABB Bouwgroep now has 120 employees and most of these joined the company in the past five years, especially in the Project Development department. This is where his colleagues at ABB Bouwgroep develop projects that the company carries out from start to finish. “We develop projects and carry out the construction work. This can be anything, from concept housing to impressive transformations.”

Normally, a general contractor would carry out a project that has already been developed by an external party. But that is not how ABB Bouwgroep works. Wim: “We do everything in-house. We own the building plots, develop the plans ourselves and carry out the work. But at our own risk and expense.”

Wim: passionate about efficiency, in work and communication

Wim likes to work efficiently. He prefers not to mix things up, but likes to finish off tasks properly one by one. This makes him almost indispensable at the construction group. He has been with the company for 22 years and has always worked in the Procurement department. “I came here straight after finishing school,” he explains. “I then spent eight years or so working somewhere else, before ABB Bouwgroep and I met up again.” Old love never dies, you can say.

What Wim really likes about the company is the close bond with colleagues and the diversity of his work. “I talk to a lot of people here in the ‘club’,” he says in his own typical way. “We believe that promises must always be kept. We treat one another with respect and have a real eye for people.”

Wim talks about a colleague who worked at ABB Bouwgroep for 25 years. It was celebrated with a box of cream puffs, a speech from the manager and, as Wim calls it, “a nice envelope”. Only three more years and Wim will also be enjoying those cream puffs.

The challenge: before the 12Build era, a lot of time was spent doing things manually

Wim can tell the younger generation a thing or two about what the tender process looked like 15 years ago. “When I joined ABB Bouwgroep in 1999, we also submitted invitations to tender. We drafted them, printed them and copied them. We then looked at which drawings and documents should be sent to which subcontractor for each component of work. These were often large A1 sheets of paper that had to be copied numerous times. We then sent out all the documents with the invitation to tender. All by post of course.”

It took three colleagues at ABB Bouwgroep more than a week to put everything for the tender together. And that was considered relatively fast. Wim: “Now that we're working with 12Build, I can do it all in a day and a half if I really set about it. All by myself!” Once the invitations to tender had been sent out, they had to be clearly organised. Had a subcontractor already submitted a quote? Do we need to phone around for anything? Who intends to submit a quote and who does not?

“In the past, you had far less of an overview,” explains Wim. “The tenders were all bound in thick binders, structured as well as possible. When we received a tender, it was filed in the binder and registered in a spreadsheet. The whole process carried out manually.” But there is a different way to do it: using 12Build.

Efficiency grows exponentially at ABB Bouwgroep: from mail, to own system, to 12Build

Five years ago, Wim already consulted with colleagues at 12Build about the possibility of working together. “Back then, we didn't really see the added value of it.” However, the two companies met up again two years ago. This time resulting in a collaborative relationship.

Wim: “I spoke with a Solution Expert at 12Build. The previous tender-processing system of ABB Bouwgroep was unable to meet all of our demands.” In the meantime, 12Build had developed into the industry standard for Dutch construction and became increasingly more relevant for ABB Bouwgroep. “We were immediately won over by the up-to-date 12Build database with subcontractors,” admits Wim.

“For us, 12Build means that we no longer have to Google to find the right subcontractors for a job. Now we can simply find them in a single overview, filtered by specialisation. It all works considerably faster. Two years ago, we thought: let's have a look at it. Then we can try it out ourselves.”

“For us, 12Build means that we no longer have to Google to find the right subcontractors for a job. Now we can simply find them in a single overview, filtered by specialisation.”

Now, 70% of the invitations to tender of ABB Bouwgroep are submitted through 12Build. That is the same percentage as the whole of the Netherlands. Another major advantage that the company sees is that the 12Build platform enables you to simply select documents for each component of work and send the right documents to the right subcontractor. All with just a few mouse clicks.

For the subcontractors, this means that they no longer have to go digging through piles of documents trying to find what is necessary for the tender. This in turn reduces the response time and provides more immediate clarity and better tenders.

The 12Build database with subcontractors is up to date and the financial data of partners is transparent. “That makes it all a lot easier,” says Wim. “It provides insight into how stable the party in question is and whether the company can be trusted. Of course, it's of little use to us if someone doesn't fulfil their commitments.”

It is also useful to see how far the subcontractors are from the planned project. For a project in Groningen, Wim prefers not to ask someone who has to travel from Brabant. That is why the distance filters in 12Build are so handy for Wim. You enter a project in 12Build and indicate the radius you want to search for subcontractors. It is not only good for travel costs but also for the environment.

Quickly send summaries

Wim is keen to recite the benefits of 12Build. He is clearly talking from experience. “What I also like is the quick way in which a summary of additional information can be sent. The Costing department is particularly pleased about this, even if they were a bit hesitant about 12Build in the beginning.”

Now, ABB Bouwgroep can inform all parties involved about a change with just a single mouse click. That saves sending everyone e-mails and having to phone around. This takes place so quickly, because in 12Build all contact details and subcontractors who received an invitation to tender remain visible to general contractors. Before, during and after the project.

12Build helps Wim to work efficiently and ABB Bouwgroep to save a lot of time. 

“The Costing department is particularly pleased, even if they were a bit hesitant about 12Build in the beginning.”

“We get instant insight into the tenders we receive, about who is intending to submit a quote and who is not. If a certain party drops out and doesn't intend to submit a quote, we can quickly invite another party to submit a tender.” ABB Bouwgroep invites approximately three subcontractors to submit tenders for each component of work. Often the same specialists, because Wim likes to work with regular partners. By the way, Wim, did you know that you have the option of specifying your preferred partners in 12Build? This enables you to find your regular partners even quicker in the database. “Good tip! Thanks, we'll certainly use it,” says Wim in the interview.

Digitalisation of the construction industry

Wim believes that digitalisation has really taken off in the construction industry in recent years. “If you look at what is done digitally now and what is being developed, you can see how quickly it's all moving,” explains Wim. “There are now tools available that enable customers to select doors and frames themselves. The whole certification process is now recorded completely digitally.” 

According to Wim, 12Build has made a major contribution to the digitalisation of the construction industry. “I think that 12Build is a forerunner in the trend towards digitalisation and we followed this trend. In hindsight, a bit too late,” confesses Wim. “If we'd started working with 12Build earlier, we would have already benefited enormously from it. Those parties that are not yet active in 12Build don't know what they're missing.” And when Wim speaks, he speaks straight from the shoulder.

No mincing words at 12Build and we appreciate that

Wim is extremely happy with 12Build colleague Roy Welink, Customer Success Manager at 12Build. “He worked in the construction industry and knows what he's talking about,” says Wim enthusiastically. “I think Roy explains how your system works in a very clear way. There is no mincing words and he doesn't come with long-winded stories.” Again that efficiency that Wim is so keen about. 

The costing department was initially a bit sceptical about 12Build, but even they became enthusiastic after Roy's two training sessions. “My office is close to the Costing department and they would have made their views very clear if they didn't agree.” Without hesitation, we can now say at 12Build that we have gained a new fan. And his name is Wim Kwakkel.

Wim Kwakkel

Procurement manager at ABB Bouwgroep