SPECIAL
‘Thinking outside the box helps turn possibilities into projects’ In January, engineering and consultancy firm ARCADIS celebrated its 125th anniversary. From the modest beginnings of what was originally called the Nederlandse Heidemaatschappij, ARCADIS became an international player with a 22,000-strong workforce spread around the globe. The company headquarters are located in Zuidas. On December 4, ARCADIS presented its new strategy that is aimed at closer cooperation between European countries. Hello Zuidas talked to Erik Blokhuis, head of the company’s building division. Why is it important to have an international outlook?
well. You need to be able to find each other quickly, in different
‘If we are to offer the best expertise possible, we will have to
countries as well as in different sectors.’
look beyond our own borders. An ARCADIS office situated abroad may well have a specific kind of expertise we lack at
How do you go about this?
home. This goes for all the sectors that make up the company,
‘It is essential to let our networks run through the quickest
from finance, environment and development to water, mobility
possible means of communication. We are also planning a
and buildings. The requirements of many of our clients are not
management reshuffle, which means that many of the
limited to one specific sector. They cut through business lines as
managers will end up in new positions within the company.
The headquarters of ARCADIS is in the Symphony building in Zuidas
46.
Erik Blokhuis, head of ARCADIS building division.