February began the start of another busy year at RORO Greenhouses. We were happy to return to Australia to work again for Costa via Van Der Hoeven on a nursery expansion consisting of 25,000 m2.
We last had visited this project a couple years ago, doing a 10 hectare foundation and an additional 2.5 hectare nursery foundation. After some difficult years of drought, fires and other challenges in food production and the onset of Covid-19, Australia was ready for another push in their horticultural sector.
For this expansion RORO Greenhouses was responsible for all aspects of the flooding floor including: connecting draining pits, mounting gutters, laying mesh, heating pipes, pouring concrete slabs and finishing the floors.
In practice, this is very straightforward [but heavy] work to complete. To be on time and on budget, the challenge is not in the physical work itself, but in the organization and management. A project this calibre requires substantial experience and diligent planning. You really need accurate oversight and meticulous attention to detail to ensure your planning lines up numerous working parts and people.
In addition to the challenges that may normally exist around a project of this size, Covid-19 forces additional requirements surrounding project planning. You must consistently adapt to evolving policies and procedures, to new Covid-19 safety standards of numerous countries, be self sufficient in knowing where to read, which information to trust, and be consistent with following news, governments (both regional, provincial, and national) and also to be effective at maintaining ongoing open communication with your clients to ensure no delays or dangers and to keep your deadlines in order. These are all key to ensure you are on top of potential issues that impact efficiency.
While a few members of our team are still in Australia, the others have headed to Canada to start the spring foundation season. Although this job is not yet complete, it is ahead of schedule with a tentative completion date of 3 months. - and we have yet to miss a deadline.
We are grateful for Van Der Hoeven for choosing RORO, to our strong international team and for our clients - we are looking forward to 2021!
Thank you!
Ronald and Robert Van Santen
Comments