Tim Nederlof, with partner Robert-Jan Smid and project manager Olivier Wessing Jager, is plunging into the world of sanitaryware, kitchens and flooring under the name Maasstede Projects.

Tim Nederlof (centre), Robert-Jan Smid and Olivier Jager in Maasstede Projects' new showroom.

"We focus purely on construction projects, with no brokering. That didn't exist yet," Nederlof explains in the monumental reception room at 44 Lange Voorhout. A gap in the market, it turns out. "In a few months, our team grew explosively from three to nine people, and assignments and tenders are now outstanding in Marbella, Vienna and the Caribbean, among others."

Van der Valk

And to think that the deal with partner Sani-Kitchen Projects at Van der Valk in Curaçao was done within five minutes. Nederlof: "Because I wanted to sell our teak, I got in touch with owner Michael Grootjans.

He has over 20 years of experience in the industry, we have the network. After one beer on the beach, we decided to join forces."

The entire team at Maasstede Projects.

The gentlemen can count international hotel chains, developers of villa parks, as well as large builders of social housing among their customers. "They need a one-stop shop. In our showroom they can say 'yes' or 'no', we make sure everything is delivered straight from the factory - and at the right time," says Nederlof.

In the basement of the back house, which is Maasstede specially attached to the premises, brands such as Siemens, Hotbath, Geberit and Grohe are represented with baths, taps, tops, furniture and more. Pointing to the luxurious boardroom, "This is where we can sit for a while, have a drink..."

Maasstede Projects

Depending on the segment being built, Maasstede Projects recommends certain brands. "In this respect, the choice of materials is also very important," says Smid. "Thanks to the expertise of our partner Michael, we know, for example, that you should not use stainless steel in areas with salty air. And also a built-in refrigerator is not a good idea in a tropical climate."

Once the choices have been made, the work really begins for the gentlemen. "We stay in touch about delivery times, make sure everything arrives at the same time, arrange sea containers, settle guarantees and, especially with large projects, send extra materials free of charge in advance to make sure execution goes as smoothly as possible," Nederlof lists.

'We move with you'

However organically the new partnership came about, Nederlof says there is a strategy behind it. "For developers like ourselves, it is becoming increasingly difficult to build in the Netherlands. Land is scarce, there are more and more environmental issues, the tax climate is changing and the rules around buying up and renting are getting stricter. So we are moving with it."

He signals a trend of Dutch property developers moving abroad. "Instead of competing with those parties from our network there, we have actually decided to facilitate them around the world with our products and services. As far as I am concerned, that is where the future lies for Maasstede."

www.maasstedeprojects.com