What Van den Herik does

Van den Herik is a family-owned Dutch hydraulic engineering contractor founded circa 1945 in Sliedrecht, Netherlands, employing 101–250 people and operating primarily across the Netherlands with additional work in Germany, France, the UK, Ireland and Poland via its German subsidiary Van den Herik GmbH and French subsidiary Eco Systèmes de Dragage. The company delivers flood protection (notably dike reinforcement under the national HWBP program covering ~2,000 km), dredging and beach replenishment, soil and bank protection, hydraulic structures (locks, weirs, harbors), port infrastructure, nature development in floodplains, and explosive remnants of war (UXO) detection ahead of construction work. Technical differentiation rests on proprietary methods including Piping Control (vertical geotextile installation against piping), the UXOscope (combining horizontal directional drilling with UXO detection), the Secure Sieve System, modular Xstream-block flexible groynes, a glass flood barrier tested at Deltares, and the Prins ZEs — the first Dutch fully battery-electric wire crane ship recharged via a hydrogen fuel cell generator. Since 2025 the firm also operates an EN 1090 certified in-house civil steel construction division.

Van den Herik generates revenue almost entirely through competitive public tendering with Dutch central government (Rijkswaterstaat), water boards, provinces and municipalities, supplemented by international port maintenance contracts. Projects are one-time engagements that flow from a continuous pipeline of tenders and frameworks, often delivered through joint ventures with BAM, Mobilis, Van Gelder, Strukton and FL BV. The company holds the highest CO2-Prestatieladder certification (Level 5 since 2016) and the Green Award Gold plus dual Platinum Labels for the Prins ZEs, which increasingly function as competitive differentiators and qualify it for SEB (Clean and Emission-free Building) funding.

The customer base is concentrated among Dutch government and public-sector entities — Rijkswaterstaat, multiple waterschappen, provinces (Flevoland, Gelderland) and municipalities (Rotterdam, Reimerswaal) — with a small set of enterprise subcontractor relationships (Van Hattum en Blankevoort, Mobilis, Van Gelder, BAM) on the largest programs. Geographic reach extends from Dutch inland waterways and coast to Normandy seaports, UK/Ireland/Poland dredging and German subsidiary operations. Capital intensity is high: a diverse owned fleet of dredgers, crane ships and pontoons, a large Sliedrecht warehouse/loods facility, and the EN 1090 steel workshop together form a substantial barrier to entry for new hydraulic engineering competitors.

Name

Van den Herik

Legal name

Van den Herik Sliedrecht

Website

https://herik.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1945

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Van den Herik is a family-owned Dutch hydraulic engineering contractor (founded 1945, Sliedrecht) that delivers dike reinforcement, dredging, port infrastructure, UXO detection and nature development for Rijkswaterstaat, water boards, provinces and municipalities via public tenders and joint ventures, with international work in Germany, France, the UK, Ireland and Poland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Amsterdam

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Public Infrastructure Projects: Van den Herik generates revenue through competitive public tendering for hydraulic engineering projects commissioned by Dutch government entities (Rijkswaterstaat, provincial authorities, municipalities, water boards) and private port operators. Projects include dike reinforcement, dredging, soil and bank protection, hydraulic structures, explosive detection, and steel construction. Projects are one-time engagements but the company maintains a continuous stream of new tenders and frameworks.
2. International Projects: The company carries out dredging and beach replenishment projects in France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Poland and Germany through its French subsidiary Eco Systëmes de Dragage and directly, both on inland waters and at sea.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Van den Herik is a hydraulic engineering contractor that delivers dredging, dike reinforcement, soil and bank protection, hydraulic structures (locks, bridges, weirs, fenders, jetties), civil steel construction, and underwater explosive remnants of war (UXO) detection services for Dutch and European government clients. Projects are acquired through competitive public tendering, often executed via joint ventures, and supported by the company's proprietary methods (Piping Control, UXOscope) and its owned fleet including the zero-emission Prins ZEs wire crane ship.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Piping Control: Internally developed innovative method for vertical application of geotextile in dikes to prevent piping.
• UXOscope

Products and services

• Dike Reinforcement and Construction Engineering, design, and construction of new dikes and reinforcement of existing flood defenses including green dike improvements, hard retaining structures, and innovative glass flood barriers. Delivered primarily to waterschappen and Rijkswaterstaat as part of the Hoogwaterbeschermingsprogramma (HWBP), often via consortiums such as Dijkgenoten and Combinatie Herik/Strukton.
• Dredging and Beach Replenishment Mechanical and hydraulic dredging of waterways, port basins, and harbor approaches, plus sand replenishment along coastlines. Includes large-volume works such as selective withdrawal salt dam construction at IJmuiden Lock Complex and beach nourishment along the Zeeland coast.
• Soil and Bank Protection Installation of bank, bottom, and shoreline protection including sinker pieces, corbels, mattresses, and revetments for rivers, canals, and waterways. Backed by 80+ years of accumulated expertise in zinc piece and sinker installation techniques.
• Groynes and Harbor Dams Construction of traditional and modular flexible river groynes and harbor dams, including the proprietary Xstream Blocks system approximately 60% water-permeable for adaptive river management.
• Hydraulic Structures and Civil Works Design and construction of bridges, locks, weirs, fenders, jetties, and sluice renovations (e.g., Koninginnensluis Nieuwegein), as well as harbor developments such as Prins Willem-Alexanderhaven and Prinses Beatrixhaven in Yerseke.
• Explosive Remnants of War (UXO) Detection Pre-construction detection and safe securing of unexploded WWII ordnance at urban, infrastructure, and waterway sites, including the proprietary UXOscope system. Localized and secures UXO in cooperation with EODD for controlled disposal. Projects include the Claes de Vrieselaan Rotterdam UXO investigation (May 2024).
• EN 1090 Civil Steel Construction In-house design, fabrication, and installation of civil steel structures for hydraulic infrastructure including bridges, locks, weirs, fenders, and jetties, delivered under EN 1090-1 and Eurocode 3 (NEN-EN 1993) certification with full material traceability and weld process control.
• Nature Development and Floodplain Optimization Ecological optimization of floodplains and nature reserves including creek and gully deepening, longitudinal dam construction with repurposed materials (e.g., 4 km of sewer-pipe longitudinal dams in Nieuwe Waterweg), and Natura2000 habitat restoration.
• Piping Control Erosion Prevention Method Vertically installed geotextile-based levee toe reinforcement method that prevents piping and internal erosion under hydraulic structures, with reduced construction footprint compared to traditional techniques.
• Prins ZEs Zero-Emission Wire Crane Ship Charter/Services Deployment of the first hydrogen-powered zero-emission wire crane ship for hydraulic works including coastline care and fairway maintenance, supporting emission-free project execution and SEB (Clean and Emission-free Building) requirements.

Quantifiable outcome

• CO2 reduction targets: 13% scope 1 emissions per year and 1.5% scope 3 emissions per year (Energy Action Plan 2025-2027)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Strukton (Combinatie Herik/Strukton vof)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture (Combinatie Herik/Strukton vof) for the Dijkring 74 Neer dike reinforcement project with Waterschap Limburg, including design and construction of an innovative glass flood barrier tested at Deltares.
• MobiliscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of Combinatie Roggebot joint venture (along with Van Gelder and Van den Herik) for the N307 Roggebot-Kampen project, the final piece of the Room for the River IJssel Delta program. Responsible for new bridge, lock demolition, infrastructure improvements, and flood defense reinforcement.
• Van GeldercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of Combinatie Roggebot joint venture (along with Mobilis and Van den Herik) for the N307 Roggebot-Kampen infrastructure project.
• BAM Infra NederlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of Dijkgenoten combination (with Van den Herik and FL BV) awarded the ~21 km dike improvement along the Meuse River between Cuijk and Ravenstein for Waterschap Aa en Maas, part of the HWBP. BAM provides infrastructure expertise alongside Van den Herik's hydraulic engineering capabilities.
• FL BVcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of Dijkgenoten combination (with BAM Infra Nederland and Van den Herik) for the ~21 km dike improvement Cuijk-Ravenstein project for Waterschap Aa en Maas.
• Witteveen+BoscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVan den Herik and Witteveen+Bos jointly won the tender for implementing the Boschplaat vision on Terschelling, a Natura2000 nature reserve. Van den Herik executes the 'Dynamism in the Zeereep' program line involving passages and washover in the Stuifdijk, in collaboration with Staatsbosbeheer, Rijkswaterstaat, and the Wadden Academy.
• DeltarescoreTechnology or IntegrationKnowledge institute partnering on flexible groyne pilots in the IJssel (Self Supporting River System program) and testing of the glass flood barrier at full scale in the Deltagoot facility.
• RijkswaterstaatcoreTechnology or IntegrationMain government client and innovation partner. Rijkswaterstaat collaborates on pilot programs (flexible groynes SSRS, Leader projects), provides SEB (Clean and Emission-free Building) funds for sustainable choices, and supports frontrunner innovations like the Prins ZEs vessel. Also partner in Boschplaat vision and De Groene Poort project.
• Eco Systëmes de DragagecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench subsidiary of Van den Herik, jointly maintaining multiple seaports in Normandy (Dieppe, Ouistreham, Fécamps, Deauville-Trouville, Port-en-Bessin-Huppain, Grandcamp-Maisy, Le Tréport) at depth using hopper dredger and crane pontoon.
• BAM Infra NederlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on flexible groyne pilots in the IJssel near Kampen, part of the Self Supporting River System (SSRS) innovation program with Rijkswaterstaat, Deltares, and others. BAM focuses on Xstream block application in river conditions.
• WWF-NetherlandsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the 'De Groene Poort' (The Green Gate) project alongside Rijkswaterstaat, Havenbedrijf Rotterdam N.V., Gemeente Rotterdam, and ARK Natuurontwikkeling, which inspired the sewer pipe longitudinal dam project in the Nieuwe Waterweg.
• ARK NatuurontwikkelingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the 'De Groene Poort' project contributing to the conceptual foundation for the sewer pipe dam circular economy project.
• StaatsbosbeheercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Boschplaat program alongside Rijkswaterstaat, municipality of Terschelling, and province of Fryslan, with Wadden Academy in an expert role, working to restore and strengthen the Natura2000 nature reserve.
• SariconcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPerformed extensive historical research to identify approximately 200 locations in Rotterdam at increased risk of unexploded WWII aerial bombs. Van den Herik's explosive detection department subsequently conducted detection work at sites including Claes de Vrieselaan.
• Explosieven Opruimingsdienst Defensie (EODD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDutch Ministry of Defense unit responsible for safe disposal and destruction of explosive remnants of war. Van den Herik locates and secures UXO, then transfers to EODD for controlled detonation. Excellent cooperation exemplified in the Claes de Vrieselaan Rotterdam UXO project (May 2024).
• De Vries Werkendam B.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in tidal park construction project in Keilehaven Rotterdam alongside Gemeente Rotterdam and Van den Herik, contributing to nature and recreation development.
• Wadden AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExpert role in the Boschplaat program alongside Staatsbosbeheer, Rijkswaterstaat, municipality of Terschelling, and province of Fryslan for restoring and strengthening the Natura2000 nature reserve on Terschelling.
• Sweco Nederland BVminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitectural and engineering firm completing the permit design for the Cuijk-Ravenstein dike improvement project. Dijkgenoten combination (BAM, Van den Herik, FL BV) is developing this into the final design with Waterschap Aa en Maas.
• Van VulpenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation on restoration of the Hemelbeek culvert under the Juliana Canal near Elsloo, modifying and reinforcing the 1930s concrete structure in connection with canal widening.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Royal Boskalis Westminster: Dutch global dredging and marine contractor headquartered in Papendrecht,Sliedrecht-adjacent. Boskalis directly competes in dredging, coastal protection, and hydraulic engineering — the same core services Van den Herik delivers, but at vastly greater scale and international reach.
• Jan De Nul: Belgian dredging and marine contractor active in ports, waterways, and coastal protection. Direct peer in hydraulic infrastructure and dredging services, often competing with Van den Herik in cross-border European tenders.
• DEME Group: Belgian dredging, marine, and environmental contractor with strong European footprint. Direct peer in dredging, port maintenance, and offshore/civil marine works, competing for the same EU government hydraulic-engineering tenders.
• Van Oord: Dutch marine contractor specializing in dredging, land reclamation, and offshore wind. Direct peer in hydraulic engineering, dike reinforcement, and coastal protection; competes for the same Dutch and European public tenders as Van den Herik.

Broad incumbents

• BAM Infra Nederland: Large Dutch construction group with significant civil and infrastructure capabilities. A direct JV partner of Van den Herik in the Dijkgenoten combination (Cuijk-Ravenstein dike) and a competitor for the same public tenders, though at a much broader portfolio level.
• Strukton: Dutch civil infrastructure contractor offering broader construction services. A direct JV partner of Van den Herik in the Combinatie Herik/Strukton Neer dike project, and a competitor in non-specialist civil tenders where the lines blur.
• VolkerWessels: Large Dutch construction group with civil, infrastructure, and energy divisions. Competes for the same Dutch public water-and-civil tenders as Van den Herik, though typically as a prime contractor in larger, multi-disciplinary projects.

Others

• Witteveen+Bos: Dutch engineering and consulting firm in water, infrastructure, and environment. Joint winner with Van den Herik of the Terschelling Boschplaat tender; adjacent as a design/consulting partner that often sits across the table from the firm in tendering.

Regional players

• Koninklijke Oosterhof-Holman: Mid-sized Dutch regional contractor with civil and water infrastructure work. Regional peer overlapping with Van den Herik in northern-Netherlands dike and hydraulic engineering tenders, but with a smaller fleet and narrower geographic reach.
• De Vries Werkendam: Dutch marine and harbor construction contractor based in Werkendam. Partner of Van den Herik on the Keilehaven Rotterdam tidal park and a regional peer in port, harbor, and hydraulic works across the Netherlands.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Van den Herik