100% sure of quality, who doesn't want that?

HOUT100% is the new name under which the best wood processing companies in the Netherlands have profiled themselves since last year. It should become the brand name associated with 100% quality, 100% circularity and above all 100% certainty.

Manager Anoushka Mulder: "Developers, housing associations, architects and contractors need watertight quality assurance, woningeigenaren also want assurance of quality and maintenance of their wooden window frames. Our companies can guarantee that."

HOUT100% originates from the Foundation for Guaranteed Carpentry (SGT). A broad survey of market participants revealed the need for a more modern profile for the timber industry. Mulder: "There needed to be better communication to the market. That's why we developed a new concept, with the brand name HOUT100%. This does not offer a guarantee after the fact, but 100% certainty in advance."

Quality Assurance Act

An important reason is the Building Quality Assurance Act (WKB) that was passed by the Senate in May. Goals of this law are "an improved (assurance of) building quality, an improved position of the consumer and the stimulation of quality improvement and failure cost reduction. Mulder: "The law will not take effect until 2021, but small-scale pilots are already being carried out in phases. The consequence of the WKB is That the contractor can no longer shift liability for errors to a carpentry factory, for example. Then it is nice if the contractor can expect one hundred percent assurance from his suppliers. All 78 companies affiliated with HOUT100% provide that assurance. Then we are talking about raw material that has been produced completely sustainably, the wooden products that have one hundred percent high quality and the complete security that end users bring with them."

Anoushka Mulder.

Surety Check

To provide that assurance, HOUT100% works with its own checking system. Mulder: "Via the website www.houthonderdprocent.nl you can do the assurance check. There, anyone can enter the unique assurance number linked to a product. You can then immediately see who the manufacturer is, what sustainability label it has, what wood species is processed - with tips for maintenance - and what securities and guarantees are part of it. Randomly we hold checks in factories and on construction sites and you can also follow that through that number. Just before the final delivery of a project, we do another delivery check. In this way, the whole process that the wooden products go through is completely transparent and we are able to offer security for up to 15 years."

Something for everyone

And what are the benefits for all involved? Mulder: "We offer added value for all parties. The tenant or homeowner can enjoy carefree and comfortable living without having to worry about problems with doors, windows and frames. And should an unexpected problem arise, a solution can be found quickly via the security number. The contractor now has final responsibility in the entire process, but with a top-notch product with completion check, he or she is assured of the correct dimensions, finish and delivery. And that makes the final delivery a lot easier. With HOUT100%, the architect also opts for security, durability and quality and, of course, still has all the design freedom that wood offers. Finally, the housing association retains control over the entire construction or renovation process with our system and can benefit from our assurances well into the management and operation phase."

100% durable

"From January 1, 2020, another hundred percent certainty will be added. Then you can assume that all member companies only process sustainably produced wood in their products. Wood is in any case a sustainable raw material: it is circular, it is an excellent way to produce CO₂ store the production process is more energy efficient. And be honest: wood is a wonderfully beautiful material to build with, isn't it? 

www.hout100procent.nl