THE HISTORY OF HIGHCARE
The company grew out of an installation company that worked mostly for Philips in the 1960s. Philips was the first purchaser of low-dust spaces. The upgrading of the assembly workshops took place at the Volt factories in Tilburg.
In the early 1970s, under the inspired leadership of Koos Nolte, the company developed in different directions. In addition to the familiar installation technology, areas of work such as infrastructure for traffic, airports, parking garages, telephone booths, lampposts and… high-quality, low-dust areas were tapped. For the company, the 1970s were the ideal climate for these new developments. HIGHCARE’s predecessor grew into one of the largest manufacturers at that time.
PHILIPS
In the late 1980s, the parent company, the NIG Group, was sold to Stork. At that time Philips, the largest customer, began reorganization with the powerful name “Centurion. Stork responded by privatizing all non-core activities and stipulated from the takeover candidates that they would no longer use the old company name.
As the largest customer reorganized, the need arose to change the strategy and the company was continued in a new company under the name “HIGHCARE. With international aspirations. During this period, HIGHCARE developed an innovative building technology: IFD.
<IFD modern building technology>
STAND-ALONE SYSTEM
Another advantage of the IFD concept is that the cleanroom can be placed standalone in an industrial hall. As a box within a box. ‘That is particularly attractive for young entrepreneurs. If they move to larger premises after a few years, they can move the cleanroom with them without any problems,’ says De Bruijn.
SALE LEASEBACK
Should a client opt for a “sale leaseback,” it is important that this cleanroom is not nail-bound to the building, except for the flooring.
HIGHCARE INSTALLS, MANUFACTURES, DESIGNS
The cost of an average cleanroom is project-dependent and ranges from €150,000 to €1.5 million. HIGHCARE’s clients include DSM, VDL, Arion, BasicPharma, Pranapharm Russia, Louwers Hanique, Weener Plastics and Antwerp Space. Next year, De Bruijn will set his sights abroad. ‘We are already active in Belgium, Germany, Russia and Bulgaria. We want to expand further into Brazil and the Middle East.’