New 'Model Facility' for Technische Unie

Since the start of the partnership between BruscheElektrotechniek and Wepro, we are 8 years and 8 projects further. We spoke with Senad Piric, project manager at BruscheElektrotechniek, and Wepro colleague Erik Nieuwenhuis. Erik has been active as work planner since 2022, and together with Senad he recently completed a successful project in the development of a new facility for TechnischeUnie.

Leading in electrical engineering

Technical innovations are more relevant than ever. BruscheElektrotechniek knows all about that. Since its founding in 1957, the company has become essential to the electrical engineering world (https://wepro.nl/elektrotechniek) in eastern Netherlands. The Twente family business has grown over time into a company with more than 110 permanent employees and a flexible workforce about half that size.

As BruscheElektrotechniek's size has grown, so has its range of expertise. In addition to the original electrical engineering branch, Brusche now also has a business unit focused on process technology.

About the partnership

BruscheElektrotechniek provides technical innovations across various work areas, such as commercial construction, industrial automation, and security technology. BruscheElektrotechniek relies on Wepro as a permanent partner for flexible deployment of knowledge and capacity when needed. "Because of the diverse projects we do, we look at each case to determine what kind of professionals with what specific knowledge and skills we need," Senad explains.

Senad is 45 years old and lives with his wife and 2 children in Nijverdal. He knows BruscheElektrotechniek like no other, having started there almost 30 years ago as an apprentice electrician. Through various positions within BruscheElektrotechniek, he has now progressed to project manager, a role Senad thoroughly enjoys: "I was approached in the past to become a project manager and initially declined, but when that question came again a few years later, I seized the opportunity with both hands.

Maximum results

The project manager role is great, but at the same time demanding. I'm 'on' 24/7 and there are always multiple balls to keep in the air. I've learned that it's difficult to keep everyone happy at all times. But when I know at the end of the day that I've done everything to achieve maximum results, I drive home satisfied."

In his role, Senad is ultimately responsible for managing and successfully completing projects. Wepro has provided continuous support over the past 5 years through project-based deployment of various technical professionals.

"Wepro supports us by providing the right colleague for the right job, and that exchange works well," says Senad. "It's good to work with a partner who understands the client's question, a party that grasps the need and keeps agreements. You must be able to build on each other. That's essential."

'TechnischeUnie Project'

A recent project where Wepro provided support is the construction of one of TechnischeUnie's newest facilities in Borne. TechnischeUnie is a wholesaler of technical installation materials for construction, installation, and industry. Together with Senad, colleague Erik Nieuwenhuis from Wepro was closely involved in that project. Erik explains:

"The project we did for TechnischeUnie, I managed from start to finish. We started in May 2023, construction began in August, and delivery was early December. It was number 7 of a total of 14 new facilities to be built for TechnischeUnie. In this case, an office building with a shop and transfer point on the ground floor, briefly called 'O.P.' The transfer point is essentially a space for temporary storage where trucks dock and products arrive before being distributed to TechnischeUnie's end clients."

Key role

As work planner, Erik had an important and multifaceted role during the project. "In my function, I'm responsible for the electrical engineering part of the engineering. That mainly involves designing the power distribution, cable distribution, and ordering the right materials. I'm also the point of contact for the electricians. I enjoy work planning and see myself doing this for a while longer," he concludes.

'TechnischeUnie Project' was a success. "The advisor indicated that 'facility number 7' is now the new model facility, and that's the biggest compliment you can get," Erik says with a slight smile. He continues: "An important part of the success lies in the excellent cooperation with the advisor and the fact that a very comprehensive specification was written beforehand. That specification was so detailed that even the wiring in the distribution cabinet had a number. You rarely see something like that in commercial construction."

Let's connect: Erik Nieuwenhuis

From Amsterdam to Almelo. Erik (55) was born and raised in the capital but moved to Twente in the 1980s to pursue his education in Electrical Installation Technology at the MTS. Now, almost 40 years later, he still lives in the east with great pleasure.

Erik is one of our veterans: he has worked at Wepro since 2013 and says he still enjoys it. "I'm in a good place here and happy with my work. Thanks to the project-based way of working, I've gained a lot of experience over the years and got to know different companies."

Perfect match

His current project at BruscheElektrotechniek turned out to be a perfect match. What makes it such a success? "It's close by," Erik laughs. "Seriously though: there's a pleasant, open culture and I appreciate that. People look each other straight in the eye and dare to be honest. That's important to me, and I value it extra because I know this isn't common at every company." The fact that he enjoys BruscheElektrotechniek so much is no surprise, as Erik knew the company from before: "We have to go back in time for that, haha. During MTS, in 1988, I did my first internship there as a draftsman."