In the construction sector, technical complexity is increasing, and increasingly stringent standards are also in place. Reliable partners are therefore making more of a difference. For Tectum Dekkers, the Belgian reference in flat roofs, a strong collaboration with manufacturers of high-quality building materials is essential.
Björn Van Bergen, Business Unit Manager at Tectum Dekkers Brussels, knows from experience that success on the construction site starts with trust and technical support. His team – specializing in insulating and waterproofing flat roofs of large complex mixed-use buildings in central Brussels – relies on Recticel's expertise to complete each project with certainty and efficiency. A roof today is much more than before. It is a living space, a (intensive or extensive) green zone, a buffer basin for rainwater, or a technical zone. This requires knowledge, experience, and reliable partners who think with us.
What is your role at Tectum Dekkers?
“As Business Unit Manager, I am responsible for the daily management of Tectum Dekkers Brussels. This encompasses a broad range of tasks: from technical, commercial, and financial follow-up and coordination, to people management. I have frequent contact with our clients, such as builders and architects, but also with our suppliers.”
“It is very gratifying to see that our clients can rely on a partner who truly understands their project. We want their roofs to be technically sound, but also to meet the function they have in mind for it—whether it is a technical space, a rooftop garden, or an experience area. Today, a roof is much more than just a roof. This requires knowledge, experience, and reliable partners who think along with us.”
How important is the technical support of partners like Recticel in that process?
"Very important. More so: we expect our partners to actively help us, both in securing projects and during execution. Our partners must be innovative and think along with us: which efficient solutions fit within the available budget?
Price is increasingly decisive in securing a project. For me, the combination of the right technical solution at the best price is the ideal match."
What does your collaboration with Recticel concretely look like?
"We engage Recticel in various ways to share their technical expertise. They visit us to present new products and developments, and our project managers call upon their experts to ensure smooth site operations. When the builder or architect has doubts about the approach to a flat roof, we call in the technical assistance of Recticel. Their experts then come on-site to confirm the right approach. For the builder or architect, the confirmation from the manufacturer that the chosen approach is correct is crucial."
Are projects more complex today than in the past?
"Absolutely. Regulations have become stricter, especially in Brussels, where we lead in green roofs and water retention roofs. Additionally, technical requirements are more complex: a roof must often combine multiple functions today. This requires more technical expertise than before.
We are therefore receiving more and more questions about thicknesses, lambda values, and the choice between PIR or vacuum insulation. The range of products has expanded enormously. That is why it is important to have partners who help us choose the right solution tailored to the project."
What distinguishes a regular supplier from a genuine partner?
"The difference between calling the building materials dealer and calling a manufacturer lies in the support and expertise that you receive. A partner thinks along, follows up, and is ready when there are questions. We rely heavily on our partners. If there are questions from our customers, we find it important that our partner effectively comes to the site to provide answers and follow up."
What do you appreciate about the collaboration with Recticel?
"With Recticel, I have been working for years with a regular contact person. If he cannot answer himself, he ensures that we get the right answers very quickly. The follow-up is done well and quickly, and that is of course a must for a smooth progress of the site."
"They think solution-oriented and have a lot of internal expertise that helps us, even with challenging questions. Recently, we had a case that went beyond what we are used to, but after some searching, Recticel came up with the right answers."
What concrete benefits does this collaboration bring to your projects?
"Recticel has been our main partner for flat roof insulation for several years. They are involved in the majority of our projects in Brussels. For the entire Tectum Group, Recticel has historically been an important partner, and that's not by chance. I only earn the trust of my clients if I can rely on my partners. Our client is only satisfied when we propose the right technical solutions, deliver on time, and keep our promises. This is only possible if our partners also deliver that level of quality and follow-up. And so far, everything has always gone well with Recticel."
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