Polygum Sales office Holland opens a branch in North Holland.

waterProof
Professional Journal for the bituminous flat roof - A Polygym Roofing Systems publication/Atab - published twice yearly - Nr. 3 August 1999 1
Editorial
Polygum World-
Wide Waterproofing
The topics included in this edition of Waterproof are of a very
international flavour, which reflects ATAB’s position as an
export-based organization. The company has entered
strategic alliances with important partners in growth
markets, some examples of which can be found in this
newsletter: Isotop from the Czech Republic and Canam
Sales from the Netherlands. Our sales organization has now
become an international network consisting of very close
partnerships spread over all the continents. Our export
managers and their partners are currently supervising megaprojects
in Algeria, the Middle-East, the Czech Republic,
Poland, the Baltic States, China, Vietnam, Thailand, the
Philippines, Madagascar … no wonder that we are proud to
announce in this edition of Waterproof the launch of our new
export brochure.
This remarkable success has not been unnoticed by the
Flemish public authorities, as demonstrated by their request
to Atab to accept the godfathership over some fifteen
exporting SMBs, in regard to the Plato project of the
Antwerp Chamber of Commerce. See below for more details.
We take a look at a roofing contractor from the North of the
Netherlands, who is a shining example of an Authorized
Polygum Roofing Contractor.
To ATAB, the waterproofing of a roof is not just providing a
roofing membrane regardless of types of buildings and
applications, weather conditions and climatic zones.
To ATAB the roof is a system. Each roof has its specific
functions and needs, which determine the roofing system
and application method to be used.
This edition focuses in on the new brochure of Polygum
Hi-Tec Roofing Systems, which serves as an illustrated
manual that can help you select the most appropriate
application method for your roof.
Finally, we would like to invite you to our stand at Batimat in
Paris, which takes place from 8th to 13th November 1999.
The ATAB group stand is located in Hall1 W36.
Partners
Polygum Sales office Holland
opens a branch in
North Holland.
On 1st January 1999 Canam
Sales (Eindhoven) became the
Polygum Sales office for the
Netherlands. Previously, Canam
Sales was operating only in the
South of the Netherlands. Their
total range approach was
apparently a huge success and
Polygum
Sales Office
The Netherlands
caught on well. "We always
have everything for the flat roof
in stock, from screws to roofing
membranes. This enables us to
be very flexible and to deliver
quickly. More and more we
source from the same suppliers
because the customer expects
Polygum World Wide Waterproofing:
Over the last few years, ATAB has seen a dramatic increase in its exports
worldwide. New markets and cultures are open to us for marketing our membranes
and systems. Our new export brochure was conceived with the needs
of these customers in mind and it is intended to be of guidance and support
both to our export sales team and to our customers all over the world.
ROOFING SYSTEMS
continuity and familiarity" says
A. Haans, Manager Canam
Sales.
"I've been active in the waterproofing
sector for over 20
years and can say that I have a
good understanding of what
the market offers. The new
The beginning of June heralded the opening of
Canam North, near Groningen which provides a
complete range of products for the roof professional.
Contents
Editorial
WorldWide Waterproofing 1
Roof techniques and systems
Polygum introduces a new
generation of Hi-Tec roofing
systems. 2
ATAB and partners
• Polygum Sales office
Holland opens a branch
in North Holland:
Canam Noord. 1 & 2
• Plato Export project
ATAB accepts the
godfathership over a
number of small and
medium-sized exporting
companies 2
• Koerts Dakwerken from
North Holland 3
• Atab takeover of Czech
distributor 4
The beginning of this year
saw the launch of the new
ATAB company video.
As a dynamic company
evolves and changes over
the years, a new company
showcase had become
necessary. It is not easy
to give in a short time a
general overview of such
a complex and diversified
organization, with all its
departments, its products
and its services.
However, in less than 10
minutes the film will transfer
you into the world of
ATAB: from production,
over the different commercial
departments and services,
to the ATAB Art
Gallery, but it is impossible
to show every item in-depth.
Besides this corporate
video, there are other documentary
films which elaborate
in more detail each
department: production,
laboratory and quality
control; contracting;
Polygum Roof Engineering;
our Aquaplan Do-It-
Yourself range; and our
Aqualine bituminous corrugated
sheets. All films
are available in 4 languages
(Dutch, French,
English and German).
waterProof - August 1999

2
waterProof - August 1999
generation of Polygum Hi-Tec
membranes are top notch. In
the Netherlands, we can still
sharply increase our market
presence and therefore there is
still a lot of potential for us. We
intend to increase the market
penetration of the Polygum Hi-
Tec systems, by further expanding
our network of Authorized
Polygum distributors and in
harmony with other existing
distributors such as Koekoek,
De Hoop, Schriever, and de
Roermondse bouwhandel. The
Polygum Sales office Holland
is responsible for the expansion
of this distributor network,
while the main office in Antwerp
provides a complete back-up.
In collaboration with Canam
Sales, project managers will
ensure that the Polygum systems
are recommended by
major building owners, house
building unions, architects and
study bureaus. This projectbased
approach has proven its
worth both on our home market
as well as export markets, and
we are therefore convinced
that this new organization can
already be considered to be
one of the central pillars of the
Polygum network worldwide.
Antoon Haans, Manager of Sales Canam, and
Dirk Theuns, Marketing and Sales Manager ATAB,
worked closely together enabling collaboration
between the two organizations.
The Canam Sales Team
A classic example of working in partnership,
and of a bright and dynamic organization...
Technology and Roofing Systems
Hi-Tec
Roofing
Systems
The Polygum Hi-Tec Roofing Systems consist of a unique Hoechst
polyester composite reinforcement, coated with high quality polymermodified
bitumen. The trilaminate reinforcement stands out thanks to
its exceptional dimension stability and delamination resistance, in
addition to its remarkable mechanical values.
TORCH WELDING
Polygum Turbo Hi-Tec:
Average low temperature flexibility: -25 °C
Optimum welding capacity thanks to the circular profiles on the underside
that increase the flame contact surface by more than 10%
Time saving thanks to easy application
Long life expectancy
SINGLE LAYER
Polygum Turbo Hi-Tec
DOUBLE LAYER
Polygum Turbo Hi-Tec
Turbo Rock
COLD GLUEING
Polygum Cool:
Average low temperature flexibility: -18 °C
Specifically designed for bonding in cold adhesive
Follows the roof surface like a second skin which ensures homogenous adhesion
Completely torch free application possible
High resistance to wind because of the homogeneous adhesion given by the
quartz finishing layer
SINGLE LAYER
Polygum Cool
DOUBLE LAYER
Polygum Cool
Cool Rock
PARTIAL TORCH WELDING
Polygum Quadra: Average low temperature flexibility:-18 °C
Self-adhesive APP profile: 40% surface adhesion
Built-in vapour pressure diffusion (2 in 1 membrane system)
Large field of vapour pressure diffusion thanks to diagonally shaped, wide
channels (60%) - Radical anti-blister formation
Homogeneous APP overlaps.
Time and cost saving system, very suitable for refurbishment projects.
SINGLE LAYER
Polygum Quadra
DOUBLE LAYER
Polygum Turbo Hi-Tec
Quadra Rock
MECHANICAL FIXING
Polygum Tecno:
Average low temperature flexibility: -18 °C
Large overlap of 12 cm
Underlay of anti-adhesive oil on both sides of the membrane
Flexible and easily applied regardless of weather conditions
System with very high wind resistance load
Economically and environmentally friendly system
SINGLE LAYER
Polygum Tecno
Hi-Tec
Roofing Systems
DOUBLE LAYER
Polygum Turbo Hi-Tec
Tecno Rock
ATAB
and partners
PLATO
Coaching dynamic export-oriented
SMBs in conjunction with the Antwerp
Chamber of Commerce.
ATAB accepts the godfathership of
companies based in the Antwerp area.
PLATO is a support
program for SMBs
(small and medium
sized businesses)
with growth potential.
In all Flemish regions, several
managers of Flemish
SMBs gather regularly,
under the godfathership of
executives of larger companies,
with whom they exchange
know-how and
share experiences, with the
intention of achieving a more
professional management.
This unique interaction between
big and small companies,
which carries the
name PLATO, has already
proven to be of great value.
The participating companies
very often appear to
become the growth companies
of tomorrow and are
obtaining significant increases
in terms of turnover,
added value, investments,
export and employment.
The SMB manager
and the executives
from larger
companies.
Managers from SMBs very
often find themselves isolated
within their company
from people with specialist
expertise. PLATO allows
them to get into regular contact
with colleagues in other
companies who face similar
problems. In addition, the
executives make the experiences
of a larger company
accessible. Not all knowledge
of a large company is
useful for an SMB but the
basic principles of efficient
management are similar.
Outside specialists are also
invited. Essential to success
is the transfer of
knowledge, which occurs
easily because a PLATO
meeting is an interactive
event. Businesses is very
often a question of building
and maintaining relationships.
The executives of the big
companies assume the role
of godfather for a group of
fifteen SMB managers. This
exchange helps managers
reflect on the way their own
companies operate.
ATAB as godfather
ATAB as one of the 15 godfather
companies participating
in this international network
of contacts and exchanges
is benefitting from
the success of the PLATO
project.
Here ATAB finds itself
among other godfather
companies such as BASF,
Esso, Fina, Solvay. Agfa-
Gevaert, and Seghers Better
Technology Group.
ATAB doesn't shrink from its
social responsibilities and
contributes through PLATO
to the development of the
region.
PLATO has proved an ideal
forum to make contacts and
creates the possibility to
work more effectively by forging
new relationships. Consequently,
PLATO is often
referred to as the engine of
the Flemish economy.
PLA TO
ANTWERPEN

ATAB and Partners
Koerts Dakwerken
from North Holland
Profile of a Polygum Authorized Roofing Contractor
For more than 10 years
Koerts Dakwerken
from Nieuwe Pekela,
North Holland, has
been devoting its
expertise and professionalism
to providing
roofs on both
domestic and commercial
properties.
Managers Geert
Koerts and Willem
van der Sluis have
seen their company
grow substantially in
just a few years
thanks to their integral
quality approach and
active acquisition
policy.
It all started in '88, operating
from the garage of Free
Koerts which was packed
with roofing membranes and
insulation materials. The two
brothers Koerts then started
a roofing company in Oude
Pekela, North Holland. In the
beginning they worked as
subcontractors for larger
roofers and contractors. They
managed to survive but the
real growth in the business
took longer to materialise.
Three years later they started
positioning themselves as an
independent roofing company
that aims at quality and
service. Willem van der Sluis
joined Geert Koerts and
together they built Koerts
Dakwerken. It proves to be a
very strong and complementary
team: Willem is best at
organising whereas Geert is
the technical specialist of the
practice. In just a few years,
Koerts started to outgrow its
premises and therefore decided
to invest in a new company
building, located at
Holland Marsh, an industrial
area in Nieuwe Pekela.
Choosing a contractor to build
the new premises was not
easy, as they had at that time
26 contractors as customers !
"We wanted to give all of our
customers a fair chance to
tender for our new building.
First we held a lottery where
the contractors could pick a
number. With help from acting
mayor Kaldijk, we selected
six of them. Only these six
were allowed to tender",
explains Willem van der Sluis.
The company now employs
more than 20 people.
One can build on expertise.
This is essential, as the decision
to build and renovate
property is not taken lightly.
The roof, the 5fth facade,
protects the building and all
that it contains.
As an owner or architect you
Houses type Trebbio in Groningen
De Wiekezoom, City Channel. Roof and Terraces
New company building
must therefore choose the
best in materials and installation.
Success story of
a Polygum Authorized
Roofing
Contractor
Willem van der Sluis: We are
ambitious and therefore very
selective in choosing who we
work with. In the quality market
sector of roofing membranes
we chose Polygum as
our partner. The Polygum
team was perfect in meeting
our criteria, as they in their
turn demand the same high
standards. The quality of their
membranes, their service,
their commercial approach,
marketing support and creative
concepts are all factors
which help us position
ourselves as being special
and of high quality in North
Holland.
Geert Koerts: "We really
wanted to become a Polygum
Authorized Roofing Contractors
as fast as possible so
that we could fully enjoy the
support and guarantees
offered by our partner. Their
Polygum Roof Engineering
concept offers more than just
roofing. It is a total approach
of integral quality assurance.
It is exactly what we had in
mind for the further expansion
of our business because we
needed this kind of back-up.
Willem van der Sluis: "Now,
four years later, we are completely
immersed in the world
of Polygum. Before being
admitted to this select group,
we were thoroughly vetted.
Firstly our organization in
general and our quality control
in particular was audited.
Our financial reliability, our
image, market position in our
region was checked. Then a
selection of our roofing projects
were inspected.
Geerts Koerts: In the same
vein, we and all our employees,
followed the theoretical
and practical training programmes
in the Polygum
Dakinfo training centre in
Antwerp. Every year we are
re-evaluated and invited to
take further training courses.
Only Polygum Authorized
Roofing Contractors partici-
pate in the insurance backed
guarantee scheme, which
provides the best cover for
the building owner.
The Koerts
approach:
Whether it is a private individual,
a company or an architect,
every customer will
always experience the Koerts
approach: Quality.
Before a refurbishment takes
place, an in-depth roof survey
and inspection is undertaken.
All roof details are checked
and risk zones are illustrated
and described. Their recommendations
for maintenance
and refurbishment are described
in a very clearly structured
roof inspection report.
Very accurate calculations
will determine the type of
roofing materials and systems
to be used. As a result
of the care taken in preparation,
regardless of whether
on a new building or a refurbishment,
a perfect roof will
be the outcome. But this is
not all. The roof remains their
concern. For example, there
is the Koerts DakPlan, which
is a comprehensive maintenance
programme that keeps
the roof in perfect condition.
Expertise is always on hand.
Koerts
Dakwerken bv
Geert Koerts and Willem van der Sluis at the
opening of the new building in Nieuwe Pekela.
Car fleet
Project Advice Reply Coupon
✓
■
■
■
■
■
Name:
Yes, please send me more information on
the project-oriented approach of Polygum Roof
Engineering.
I would like a visit from a Polygum representative to tell me about
Polygum Roof Engineering.
I would like to get advice on roof designs and details.
Send me the FREE easy-to-use CD Rom containing specification
documents, technical data sheets, technical drawings of roof details
I want to receive an information pack on Polygum Roof Engineering,
on the new Hi-Tec Roofing Systems and the bituminous corrugated
sheets Aqualine.
I would like to get more information regarding the new 10 year
comprehensive insurance backed guarantee of ATAB.
Christian/First name:
Company:
Function:
Address: Nr.: Box:
Postal code:
Tel.:
Fax:
E-mail:
City:
Please fax to Atab on (+32) (3) 248 37 77
or send this reply coupon to
Atab nv•Dep. Project Advice
d’Herbouvillekaai, 80
B-2020 Antwerp (Belgium).
Dach & Wand Booth
The top 100 masterroofers
from Germany paid
a visit to the ATAB stand at
the Dach & Wand show in
Stuttgart.
High praise to Manfred
Koppers, Polygum Sales
Manager - Germany, and
his sales team for their
unflagging zeal and
successful expansion of
Polygum roofing systems
in Germany.
DACH+WAND
I n t e r n a t i o n a l
Trade Fair and Congress
f o r R o o f i n g , W a l l a n d
I n s u l a t i o n T e c h n o l o g y
In our next edition,
WaterProof 4, we will
introduce you to our floor
systems and our refurbishment
systems for terraces
and facades developed by
Asphaltco, a subsidiary of
ATAB, and you will read
more about Polygum
Prevent on French roofs.
3
waterProof - August 1999
✂

ATAB and Partners
4
waterProof - August 1999
ATAB takeover
of Czech dealer
As recently as 1994 Isotop
started to develop its network
of customers around
Prague. Previously they
worked on 28,000 sq.m. of
flat roofs and employed 3
people.
The technical staff was increased,
roofing companies
were contacted, and by the
second year Isotop Moravia
was founded.
The most significant advance
happened when they
started positioning themselves
at the higher end of
the market with the Polygum
range, particularly on one
very specific roofing system:
the single ply mechanically
fixed roofing system Polygum
Tecno.
Isotop has subsequently
grown from a distributor into
a very close partner.
"By tying us so exclusively to
ATAB and its Polygum Roof
Engineering concept we
widened our scope on the
Before
Before
Cover of the new
Aqualine brochure
In less than two years,
Aqualine has become a
leading brand and has conquered
the international
markets in the world of
bituminous corrugated
sheets. The new Aqualine
brochure is available in
15 languages.
THE NEWEST
GENERATION HI-TEC
BITUMINOUS
CORRUGATED SHEETS
HI-TEC BITUMINOUS CORRUGATED SHEETS
market. Their marketing and
sales support, their training
courses in the roof school
and most of all the consistent
quality of their membranes
have in recent years made
Isotop one of the leading
companies in the field of
roofing systems," says
Dusan Pospichal, Isotop’s
General Manager.
Thanks to this very significant
growth, positive attitudes
and the potential of the
Isotop team, the partnership
has become even closer.
ATAB increasingly focuses
on export markets with the
most potential. From there,
the step towards a takeover
was only to be expected.
From May 1999, Isotop has
been part of the ATAB Group
and will be responsible for
the expansion of the
Polygum Roofing Systems in
the Czech Republic and
Slovakia.
After
After
Aqualine Party
Elkro
Reason to celebrate in the
Czech Republic.
Elkro, exclusive dealer of
the corrugated sheet
Aqualine pays tribute to its
top roofers and contractors
during a major event.
Prize-winner
HI-TEC BITUMINOUS CORRUGATED SHEETS
The Isotop-
Project Approach
Dusan Pospichal says
"Isotop keeps in close touch
with its direct customers:
roofing contractors. They can
always call on our technical
support and guidance. The
sales team gives advice to
architects and follows a project
from the initial concept
phase to final installation.
The Polygum Roof Engineering
concept of ATAB is our
philosophy. The customer
has confidence in our
approach and we, for our
part, can rely on the support
from ATAB.
A case history
This project involves the roof
of an apartment building to
be renovated and was
assigned to the study bureau
Hamann Projekt s.r.o. A
dossier was made by Eng.
Petr Hamann and Eng.
Gabriela Krajcarova, in
which they worked out the
renovation specification. For
example, the insulation value
necessary for this roof
design was determined and
calculations was made to
avoid internal condensation.
After these calculations, a
call was made through
Isotop, on Mr. Lubos Kupec,
of the roofing company
Balance.
A cut was made on the existing
roof and the underlying
materials were examined.
Based on this information,
the details of the new roofing
system could be determined.
Because of the application
method (mechanical fixing),
Polygum Tecno:
single ply fixing.
a static pull test was done to
determine the adhesion to
the existing deck. Next, the
appropriate fixing was chosen
and the number per
square metre was calculated,
in respect of the wind
load.
With regard to the installation,
Isotop produced a file
defining the specific method
of installing the single ply
mechanically fixed Polygum
Tecno. This document also
included the more important
roof details. Nothing was
overlooked to ensure the
renovation work was completed
according to plan.
Only a well organised project-oriented
approach in all
stages of the building
process, materials, systems,
installation, can guarantee
the desired outcome:
a sound roof. Isotop has
internalized this mission of
quality.
The Polygum
Tecno concept
in the Czech
Republic
Polygum Techno is a roofing
membrane that is manufactured
using SBS modified
bitumen. This is a very specific
requirement for the
Czech market because with
a single ply system the sealing
of the overlap is critical. A
homogeneous SBS overlap
yields extremely good resistance
to peel and slide
forces.
The life expectancy of the
membrane and therefore of
the roof system is determined
by the stresses that
the membrane will have to
endure after installation. The
nature of these stresses can
be external, such as movements
of the substrate, blister
formation etc. or internal,
such as polyester shrinkage
or quality of the bitumen mix.
The internal stresses have
been eliminated because
Polygum Tecno is equipped
with a dimensionally stable
Hi-Tec polyester composite
reinforcement. This carrier
is outstanding due to its high
mechanical values, extreme
dimension stability and
delamination resistance. In
combination with the modified
bitumen coating, the trilaminate
will ensure that
Polygum Tecno is very stable
on the roof and can
endure mechanical stress
without jeopardizing the life
expectancy.
Dusan Pospichal: "The membrane
is remarkably flexible
and is easily applied regardless
of the weather conditions.
As testimony to this the
renovation of the apartment
building was done at temperatures
of minus 15° C. The
fact that the membrane is not
very sensitive to the weather
conditions is a very important
advantage, as we only have
to weld the joints. This single
ply system can definitely
compete as to mechanical
properties and performance
characteristics. A number of
roofing layers on top of each
other immediately guarantees
a longer life expectancy.
The projects that we have
undertaken in the last years
using the Tecno-concept
remain excellent examples.
Eng. Petr Hamann: "We must
dare to look beyond. The single
ply mechanical fixing
method offers a very important
advantage for the future
when recycling and disposal
are bound to become an
issue".
Lubos Kupec of the roofing
company Balance: "For a
roofer it is not unimportant to
Roof of the renovation project
in Prague
be able to work fast and in
almost all weather conditions.
Therefore this system
is the most obvious choice."
water
Proof
August 1999
Waterproof is the
professional journal from
Atab for our construction
partners and more
specifically in the sector of
the flat roof and of
waterproofing in general.
Editor
Atab nv
d'Herbouvillekaai, 80
2020 Antwerpen-Belgium
Tel. (+32)(3)248.30.00
Fax. (+32)(3)248.37.77
E-Mail: polygum.sales@atab.be
Internet: www.atab.com
Core editor
Publisher responsible:
Dirk Theuns
Editor in chief:
Marc Poppe
Technical responsible:
Dirk Vermeulen
Realisation: M.A.D.
Multimedia Advertising & Direct
Marketing
Waterproof is published
twice yearly in 4 languages.
All rights reserved,
including those relating to
translation.
Waterproofing systems
ATAB n.v. - d’Herbouvillekaai 80 - B-2020 Antwerpen - Belgium- Tel: (+32)(3)248.30.00 - Fax: (+32)(3)248.37.77 - E-mail: polygum.sales@atab.be - Internet: www.atab.com
E/99/WP3/01/AUG 99 A126