Temporary Works Design

By Susanne den Hoed, HR Department at Temporary Works Design

Temporary Works Design (TWD) is an ambitious and innovative engineering firm, working with major on- and offshore contractors to assist them with practical solutions for their wide variety of constructions and installation challenges.

Specialized in the structural and mechanical design of custom installation equipment, TWD’s engineering and design consultants develop tailored methods, structures and tools which are key to the realization of some highly iconic offshore projects. Because every project is unique, we work from concept to detail, with flexibility, practicality and most importantly creativity as the driving forces behind each of our designs. Together with the client we find the best solution for his or her project.

Examples are giant “robot arms” for installing the biggest wind turbine foundations offshore; installing 250 caissons of 9000 ton each for a new harbour in North-Africa; and the design of the jacking constructions that supported the Rijksmuseum during its renovation.

Development

Development is one of the pillars of TWD. According to our vision the professional and personal growth of employees is very important. Not only to ensure that all projects are engineered on a high level, but also to broaden each person’s knowledge.

When an employee starts his or her career at TWD, they quickly enrol in new employee workshops. These workshops focus on TWD’s working methods and basic knowledge that is useful to get all new employees up to speed.

Next to technical topics, such as practical and structural design, we also focus on project management and soft skills with workshops about coaching, project management, presentations and communication. After a workshop, employees are encouraged to use their new skills immediately in their work.

Besides workshops, employees learn quickly on the job ensuring a steep learning curve. This is a by-product of working on many diverse projects and working in teams with different backgrounds and specialties. This learning curve is also developed by regular coaching meetings between the employee and the supervisor.

TWD is an innovative company which is always open to new methods, solutions and thus designs. This means developing continuously is important.

An example on how quick an employee can develop and have a steep learning curve is Simon Lembrechts; currently Commercial Manager at TWD.

A Career at TWD

As a Civil Engineering graduate, Simon Lembrechts started at TWD in 2013. During his first 1.5 year at the company, he was a (Project) Engineer responsible for the structural and mechanical design of installation equipment of two offshore wind farms pictures (Northwind in Bel­gium and Gemini in The Netherlands) and the installation equipment of a floating submerged fresh-water pipeline between Turkey and Cyprus.

After this fast-paced and demanding but rewarding peri­od, Simon became TWD’s first Business Developer. In charge of the development and market introduction of TWD’s in-house innovations, he became familiar with the main market players, trends and challenges. It’s in this entrepreneurial roll that the possibility of TWD’s first international branch was established.

Five months after, in September 2016, Simon moved to London with the initial ambition to take a year to explore TWD’s opportunities in the UK market.

After an exploration period of 4 months, the first UK pro­ject was a fact: the design of an innovative tool to in­stall over 700 tubular piles for the construction of Port of Dover Expansion. Now, 2.5 years later, TWD operates a UK branch with 14 employees and is TWD involved in a broad range of UK construction works!

Work environment

Working at TWD means working in a friendly environment amongst creative, talented and ambitious people. We work in a young, yet professional team where employees are offered possibilities to develop themselves. The job is varied, and employees are involved from design to mobilization, in major installation projects of diverse leading (offshore) contractors.  We work hard to deliver quality and finish projects in time, but there is also time to have coffee and lunch together and to enjoy fun group activities on a regular basis.

Note: The opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Offshore WIND.