“I always call on Cebeo for this type of project,” says Erik Verding, Manager of VG Elec in Diepenbeek. This installation company specializes in store lighting projects.
Sonepar: What did the owners of the garden center ask for?
Erik Verding: “It is a family-owned company that is currently run by second-generation family members. They demolished the existing building and had a new, much larger complex built in its place. I handled the electrical and lighting work. For the lighting, special controls were needed to automatically adjust it in proportion to the amount of natural daylight and to allow it to operate according to business hours. This type of operation results in efficient energy use and means that the lights are off when not needed.”
Sonepar: Did you handle the lighting yourself?
E.V.: “No, for that I called on Cebeo’s specialist. I do that most of the time for this type of project and my experience has been good. I inform Cebeo of the architect’s and/or end customer’s requirements. If necessary, changes are again made to Cebeo’s proposal.”
Sonepar: Did you select the same lighting throughout the building?
E.V.: “No, there is a difference between the sales area and the greenhouse itself. In the sales area, the client wanted to create the atmosphere of an old railway concourse. The building was constructed along those lines and the open, bell-shaped mounts further enhance this style. In the greenhouses, we installed closed bell-shaped mounts. The goal was not to create a particular atmosphere; the lighting mainly needed to be functional. The light must be directed right onto the plants and flowers. The lighting was slightly oversized so that attention would also be drawn to the plants in the evening. The diffusing panels on the mounts also help prevent the watering system from spraying the mounts.”
Sonepar: Didn’t time play an important role in this project?
E.V.: “You could say that. There were only about two months between the demolition of the old building and the opening of the new complex. For our part, we had only three weeks to do our work. Given this short time span, there were always many people at the construction site, but that wasn’t really a problem because we are used to such situations.”
Sonepar: When working under time constraints, I imagine everything needs to be delivered right on time.
E.V.: “It is certainly important to ensure that planned delivery times are adhered to. In this respect as well, I know that Cebeo complies with its agreements. This is also true of other projects.”
