English |Dutch en | nl
The diversity of drawing Iv-Consult

The diversity of drawing

They are the solid factor of Iv-Consult and have helped build the company from the very beginning: drafters, otherwise known as designers. In collaboration with the engineers/structural engineers, they produce the first design consisting of a 3D model and design drawings. The team then further elaborates the workshop drawings down to the minutest detail. Iv-Consult’s team consists of highly experienced colleagues, all with diverse experience in projects. Jan Steehouwer, Senior Designer, and Ron Verwolf, Lead Structural Designer, tell us about their experiences at Iv-Consult.

From lock gates to port cranes

Iv-Consult’s team of designers has a broad, multidisciplinary background and extensive knowledge. For example, they have specialist knowledge of the many different software packages used within the various divisions and departments. In addition, the team is customer-oriented and can be incorporated well into other teams, meaning that Jan, Ron, and their colleagues can regularly be found in places other than their own department. Designers are often seconded to customers or offer their specialist knowledge in other Iv projects. But on which types of projects do they work? “The project I am most proud of is the Panama project,” says Jan. “That was such a huge project! Those enormous lock gates are just more impressive than a factory hall. Among other things, I modelled the A-Frames for the gates. These support the lock gates during maintenance. The Botlek Bridge was also a nice project and was entirely about optimising the design. It was nice because we were not only sitting at the drawing board, we also regularly visited the bridge to view and examine it. By doing this, you actually get to see what you have been busy with all this time.” Ron adds: “If I had to name only one project, it would be the work we performed for the framework contract with Kalmar. I think port cranes are really interesting, probably because of my mechanical engineering background - the convergence of static and moving parts. I have also been in one of those cranes. It’s so nice to see the real-life version of what you have drawn. For the Panama project, I worked on the mechanical part and the interface of the mechanical and structural components.”
 

Rolling into technology

“When I came to work here, a technical education wasn’t necessary,” says Jan. “If you had a pre-vocational secondary education or senior general secondary education (MAVO or HAVO) diploma, you were trained internally. I began at the MTS (Secondary Technical School), but it wasn’t really my thing apart from drawing. So, when I saw a vacancy at an engineering company, I immediately applied, and that’s how I ended up at Engineering and Architects firm, H. Veth. Only later did the company change its name to Iv-Groep. Drawing was always what I liked doing the most. So, after about 30 years of producing workshop drawings, I switched to the design department. Then, because I wanted to know more about strength analysis calculations, I enrolled in a part-time construction course in steel, concrete and wood. My father was in the technical world; he did metalwork,” explains Ron. “He did everything himself at home. Repairs, figuring out how to put something together, that sort of thing. I just got into it from an early age. For me, it began with small things like repairing tires, but by the time I was sixteen, I was taking entire mopeds apart and overhauling them. I still do this to this day, though now it’s motorcycles. I deliberately chose mechanical engineering at the MTS and followed an additional training in Motor Vehicle Technology. I really liked drawing at the MTS. Just as Jan, I began at Iv in the detailing (workshop drawings) department and then ended up in design.”
 

Forty years of service

Colleagues that have been working at Iv for a long time consider their long service quite normal. But what does it take to work for the same employer for twenty, thirty or even forty years? Ron takes a few moments to consider: “I’ve been working here for around twenty-five years, although I have been away for a year during this time. After the first five years, I left and did something else for a year and then I came back to work in our Malaysian office. After those first two years in Malaysia, I returned several times and would replace project leaders on holiday, for example. I was usually there for roughly six weeks. A big advantage was that it was year-round. Not only have I worked in Malaysia, but I have also been deployed many times for clients or at our sister companies. In this way, you work on a wide range of projects, but you also get to visit many different places, making the work very appealing! Of course, it helps that Iv is a healthy company and provides security. And remember, the grass isn’t always greener elsewhere. When I started at Iv, there was minimal staff turnover; everyone stayed for the first ten years. This trend has now changed. The range of jobs available is huge, but for me, Iv is the right place.”

Jan continues: “Almost two years ago, I celebrated my 40th anniversary with Iv. It was nice to be able to celebrate this landmark. In addition to my direct colleagues, Rob van de Waal was also present at the dinner. We reminisced about the past. By the way, did you know that I drew comics for the very first Ivormatie magazines about thirty years ago? We called it En….generen. Yes, the magazine looked very different then than it does now. I also took care of the Personalia for about ten years, a folded A4 with personalia and other news. During the anniversary dinner, Rob fished out some passages and shared them with those present. But those forty years fly by if you are enjoying it. I’ve done so many different projects and been to so many places. That never makes for boring work. Besides my work at Iv, I also had an advertising agency for a long time, which I did on Fridays. I made logos, websites, and lettering, for example. It was fun to do this alongside my work, but it was too much all together in the end. Now I only do that sort of thing as a hobby, like drawing cartoons (JAS Cartoons). My other hobby is music. I used to play in a band with two former colleagues, and later, another band with a different colleague. I remember we were looking for a place to practice. The then caretaker, Henk Ketting, said to me, ‘Do you want to practice? You can do that here in the cellar!’. Henk stayed at his post all evening until we had left the building. A proper Iv-band was never really born, though.”

Diversity in work activities

When asked what they find essential in their work, Jan and Ron unanimously answer diversity. Jan explains why: “Diversity ensures the work is varied. I can’t imagine only drawing bridges. If that were the case, the work would become ‘very’ specialised. Diversity can also be observed in our multidisciplinary deployability,” adds Ron. “With our detailing background, we are highly deployable. We step directly into projects and hit the gas to get projects running smoothly. We are quickly thought of when there is suddenly work somewhere.” Jan: “That means that we have to keep up with all the software packages and various activities to sustain the profession. It is noticeable that the average age in our profession is increasing; a little rejuvenation wouldn’t do any harm. You often see more young people among those who make the calculations, but that lags behind somewhat with drafters. While it’s such a fun job!”
 

Drawing platforms

“The project I worked on lately is the Sofia HVDC platform for the Sofia Offshore Wind Farm,” says Ron. “I did this at Iv-Offshore & Energy; it’s a very diverse project for me. One day you are working with the coarsest steel and a week later with the smallest elements. It’s nice to not only be busy with just one thing on the platform. We deliver the project per deck, so you are always busy with something different. I’m enjoying being part of a different team at the moment. Switching teams and projects helps you to get to know a lot of people.” Jan: “I am now working on various decommissioning projects, which revolves around removing old oil and gas platforms from the sea. We mainly work on grillage and sea fastening, a proper modelling and drawing job, exactly what I like to do!”