Do we just

For a long time we were happy with an infrastructure that simply did what it was supposed to do and ensured that we could get from A to B in an efficient manner. In recent years, infrastructure has taken on an entirely different character. It's about sustainable mobility, about contributing to biodiversity and climate adaptation, about multifunctional use of space, and about so much more. A role that Joosten Group is happy to take on.

Whereas Joosten has traditionally been predominantly reactive in the market, responding to customer requests, we have now taken on a very different role when it comes to the design of outdoor space, says Youri Dirne, Director of Innovation, Sustainability & Consultancy at Joosten Group. "We no longer look at a project per component, but integrally as a whole. We are the spider in the web between producers who are working on sustainability, use of materials and circularity in their own way, and our clients. And we do that from an active market approach, in which we want to take our responsibility. For us, projects do not end when they are finished, but only when their entire life cycle is complete."

Demonstrable solutions

Joosten Group is increasingly involved in a project at the front end. "We assist in the design and not infrequently come up with optimizations," Youri knows. "For example, we also have strong ideas about climate-adaptive measures such as water storage or greenery in the neighborhood, and also supply those products. Since, for executing parties, these are often different working methods or new products that they are getting their hands on for the first time, we also provide a good kick-off on the shop floor. In addition, we do sensor measurements and data building so that we can prove almost scientifically that the innovative solutions also work and make a positive contribution to the climate adaptive goals. That too is Joosten Group."

Surrounded by specialists

Joosten Group has grown from a trading party to an all-rounder in the GWW. "In which we play a much more solid and connecting role between all market parties and make the translation to project-specific solutions, thus relieving the contractor," says Vince Snoeren, director of Business Intelligence & Procurement at Joosten Group. "We surround ourselves with specialists. And if new specialties are needed, we make sure we bring them into the group. We are still the very best trading house in the Netherlands, but complementary to that we have people in house who can take a request for proposal to a higher level with an emphasis on multifunctional use of space in infrastructure. We believe very strongly in this, and we are also prepared for it. Where infrastructure was often seen as the enemy of sustainability, we prove that it can perfectly go hand in hand." 

The level of living, working and recreation in the Netherlands is incredibly high, Youri rightly states. "We should embrace that and use that knowledge and expertise to set the right example, worldwide. We have been doing that for centuries, and we should be proud of that. Precisely by engaging in broad cooperation, we as Joosten Groep continue to make a difference in the future with innovative and sustainable total solutions for challenges in the areas of infrastructure, water management and greenery in the city."