Material depots are decisive for the implementation of large projects

Railway section De Wadden. This section, which lies between Friesland and Groningen in the North of the Netherlands, at stations Hurdegaryp and Buitenpost to be exact, needed some regular maintenance work done. Strukton Rail came to us since we are a supplier of many different railway materials. The Supply Chain department of Strukton Rail not only focused on the lowest possible price of each supplier individually. They also looked at the advantages of integrating the work in a partnership with just one supplier. The question rose: how can we jointly ensure that this project is carried out quickly and efficiently?
The answer was found in logistics services. Strukton Rail asked if we could set up two of the 15 temporary work depots to ensure that the necessary material was continuously in stock. These work depots contain stock for the duration of the project. Such as large volumes of ballast for renewal or sleepers.
These depots have been very crucial for the duration of this project. Surroundings manager Nathalja van Kasteel explains:

We chose for multiple, smaller depots, because there was a lot of maintenance work that needed to be done in a short period of time. With thanks to these depots, all the permanent way materials were in stock, we didn’t need any mega storage space, the cleaning could start quicker, and we were able to reload within the out-of-service time.

The biggest challenge was deciding the location of the depots along the 15km long railway in a fairly short amount of time.

A lot of ground was not directly accessible to the tracks. Think in terms of meadows and roads. We had to clearly and openly communicate with all parties involved in order to come to a suitable solution. That worked out really well,

according to Nathalja. A big relief for Strukton Rail. Because without these depots, this project could have possibly been delayed.

As so often happens in maintenance areas, there is less time than the size of the project. The period of line inactivity at train stations Hurdegaryp and Buitenpost began on July 11. The job had to be finished within 9 days. And time is money. However, the result is to full satisfaction. We positively look back with ProRail and Strukton at this finished project. The trains ride as never before between Friesland and Groningen. Would you like more information regarding logistics solutions for projects? Feel free to contact international sales executive Dominique Martens or key accountmanager Herbert Bokkers.