BAM Belgium plants forest
BAM Belgium plants forest
Press Release: 26-11-2023
The construction group Kairos/BAM Interbuild/BAM FM is today, November 26, planting its own company forest in Grasheide, Putte. In doing so, the construction group is laying just about one of the last pieces of the puzzle of the newly created Shopbos. A large part of the trees were planted last year, including by companies such as DELA Insurance and Cegeka. Together with three surrounding groves, this gives the municipality a contiguous forest area of 11 hectares.
'Only by acting sustainably can we remain assured of our future,' says Kairos, BAM Interbuild and BAM FM. The Group aspires to a leading position in sustainability. Its motto 'Building a sustainable future' was complemented by a thoroughly developed sustainability charter, and that is significant. Its own forest, locally anchored and public, could therefore not be missing. So today, the company is rolling up its sleeves together with its employees. On half an acre, Kairos, BAM Interbuild and Bam FM are planting a thousand trees in Grasheide, Putte.
In fact, the construction group is doing more than just planting trees, as they are literally participating in the apotheosis of a great forest story. The piece that will be wooded today is as good as the last piece and thus the finale of a new contiguous forest of 11 hectares. And all on land belonging to Natuurpunt De Putter. Last year, the first trees were planted there and this planting season the last series will follow. Meanwhile, anyone driving along the field roads on Zandweg can already see it: where once was an open plain, a large, majestic community forest is slowly but surely growing.
"Sustainability for us includes caring for people. And people flourish in a greener environment with more diversity of fauna and flora. In addition, we watch over our employees by optimizing the conditions in which they work," says Wim Straetmans, managing director at Kairos/BAM Interbuild/Bam FM. "Attention to sustainability, for us it is synonymous with creating a healthier living environment for this and future generations. We are therefore looking forward to shaping our own forest, greening the neighborhood and making a valuable impact together."
Objectives more than met
Together with three surrounding groves, an area of forest totaling some 16 acres - at least 11 of which are contiguous - is quietly growing in Grass Heath, comparable in area to 24 soccer fields. Part of the new forest was planted this year and last year with the help of Forest Fwd, an organization that involves companies in nature creation.
Over the past three years, Forest Fwd has succeeded in creating 80 hectares of nature throughout Flanders, a significant part of which is in Putte. Last year, companies including Azull - the Belgian market leader in Spanish real estate -, ICT company Cegeka and funeral specialist DELA Insurance already planted several thousand trees there. Kairos, BAM Interbuild and Bam FM are now providing the finishing touches.
"The goal of providing 10,000 additional trees between 2019 and 2024 has been amply achieved thanks to this collaboration. The realization of the company forest fits perfectly within our commitments to the Tree Charter, the Covenant of Mayors 2030 and the Local Energy and Climate Pact," sounded the satisfied mayor Peter Gysbrechts and alderman for the Environment Jeroen De Cuyper.
Win-win
Sustainable enterprise and creating ecological and social added value from a business perspective - that is what Kairos, BAM Interbuild and Bam FM have been doing for years. In the coming years, the new company forest will serve as a kind of outdoor office where employees can work, hold meetings or even engage in team building. In time, walking paths will also be drawn through the area, so that both the employees of the participating companies and local residents can fully enjoy the forest.
"This construction group is already proving that the business community can get on board to tackle societal challenges," say Dajo Hermans and Frank Missoul of Forest Fwd. "A sustainable mindset and the realization that social impact is also possible from entrepreneurship is growing in more and more companies. By creating nature, players like Kairos, BAM Interbuild and Bam FM realize an absolute win-win: for every local resident, for the municipality and Natuurpunt, and for the business community itself."
