The early installation of utility connections and the use of the prefabricated meter cabinet make it possible to realise house connections at an earlier stage in the construction process. The connection can then be used immediately for electricity and water during the remainder of the build, so that upon completion work such as wallpapering and laying floors can start right away. In addition to the many benefits for the end customer, utility companies and construction firms are also positive about this new approach. The main advantage for all parties in the chain is that connections are installed in an early phase of the construction process rather than during the finishing stage. This prevents mutual disruption and makes the entire process more predictable, safer, and therefore more efficient.

By now, several construction companies and utility providers have used this approach in pilot projects. This has led to improvements in both the cabinet design and the process that needs to be followed. Mijn Aansluiting engaged Masters In Lean to support the nationwide (pre-)implementation of this working method, guiding the process towards establishing an NTA (Netherlands Technical Agreement). A key part of this assignment was to demonstrate the benefits to the construction chain, so that they would also adopt the prefabricated meter cabinet in their building projects.

Masters in Lean developed a communication plan describing the implementation and wider rollout of the working method to interested partner organisations. This plan was highly detailed and included target groups, planning, cost overview, action points, and the setup of a roadshow. Creating broad stakeholder support was central to the approach.

In addition, the communication plan was executed by Masters In Lean. In this phase, relevant stakeholders were informed and engaged in order to build support, with the ultimate goal of obtaining approval from grid operators and partner organisations to adopt the new construction method using the prefabricated meter cabinet. After approval, a structured implementation handover was carried out with grid operators in the Netherlands, ensuring they were fully informed about all aspects of the prefabricated meter cabinet and able to independently apply the method in practice.

Two pilot environments were used in the Netherlands: in Eastern Netherlands with Van Wijnen Bouw and in Western Netherlands with Dura Vermeer. Regularly, groups of stakeholders visited these locations, guided by Mijn Aansluiting and Masters In Lean, allowing them to see the product and process in practice with their own eyes. This approach steadily increased support and led to the prefabricated meter cabinet being increasingly adopted by construction companies and utility providers.

On 23 June 2020, eighteen parties, initiated by Mijn Aansluiting, delivered a Dutch Technical Agreement (NTA) for connecting a prefabricated meter cabinet in the shell construction phase. Through early and intensive alignment across the entire construction chain, a more predictable delivery of homes and utility infrastructure can now be achieved.

The parties involved in establishing this NTA included: Alliander, Beutech, CEHEtech, Dura Vermeer, Eaton, Enexis, Hager, Koopmans, Mijn Aansluiting, Nijhuis, Stedin, Van Wijnen, Vitens, VW Telecom, Waterbedrijf Groningen, Waternet, and NEN.

Read also: Article MAG 1010 – Prefabricated Meter Cabinet