FROM CONSTRUCTION TO COMPOSITES

Two years ago, I took office as the new CEO of Prince Fibre. This meant for me the challenging step toward composites. Until then, my heart was in construction, something I inherited from the generations before me.

Sixty years ago, my grandfather started a contracting company from his passion for construction and engineering, which was expanded by my father and uncles. When I turned 21, the question came, “What are the plans for your future?” The company was growing and could use a young dog. Young dogs like to bite, and so one day after graduation I sat in the chair next to my uncle. Soon I was allowed to run the business with him and my father. Twenty years later, my niece, brother and nephew were the new young dogs of Groothuis Construction Group and I was able to make the jump to Prince Fibre.

The great thing is that I didn’t have to say goodbye: Prince Fibre also has many interfaces with construction. Because construction is always battling moisture and condensation at connections, fiberglass reinforced profiles are increasingly being chosen. Prince Fibre manufactures these sills that are mounted under plastic window frames. Super strong and insulating! Thus construction and composites, my past and present, come together again.