FoundOcean Group has acquired a majority stake in CAPE Holland Group, the vibro-piling specialist based in The Netherlands.

Jim Bell, Managing Director at FoundOcean, explains the reasoning behind the acquisition: “The board of the FoundOcean Group aims to assemble businesses which are adjacent to FoundOcean’s existing activities and contribute innovative and exceptional technologies to the offshore construction industry. Cape Holland, with their vibro-piling technology, are seen as fitting these requirements perfectly.”

Laurens de Neef, Managing Director at CAPE Holland Group, agrees: “Bringing together likeminded innovative companies, who are also the leaders in their fields, is a fundamental step towards being able to offer the global offshore construction industry a more progressive and competitive option.”

The benefits of vibro-piling far outweigh those of impact hammered or drilled piles. “Putting aside the considerable reduction in noise pollution,” continued de Neef. “Our technology offers improved handling efficiency, rapid penetration speeds, which can exceed six metres per minute, more accurate verticality during the installation process as well as the advantage of pile extraction and repositioning in the event of a refusal.”

Bell concluded: “Expanding FoundOcean’s range of solutions for offshore clients is a natural step in the Group’s ambitious growth plans. The whole team strives to continually set the standard in securing the foundations for future energy.”

The two entities will continue to operate as separate businesses under the newly formed parent company, FoundOcean Group.

Press Release, October 14, 2014