Press Coverage

42 Under 42 Members North West

[Extract from insidermedia.com article - click on this link and browse to Evert de Graaf to see full article]

42 Under 42 Members North West Evert De Graaf came to Britain ten years ago from the Netherlands with a van and a plan to sell damp-proofing. Thanks to a singleminded belief in his product, Holland Damp Proofing now has four branches in Britain and a multimillion-pound turnover. “British consumers were getting into green products. Then the housing market crashed in 2008. We saw it coming,” he says.

“In the boom years, a lot of work was being done in buying and selling properties, which all of a sudden stopped but we saw it as our chance to grow the business. Our product has a unique selling point. It’s green. It’s tried and tested. We have been here for ten years but people still think of it as new. It’s a British thing.”

Fighting Damp

[Extract from athomemagazine.co.uk article - click on this link to see full article]

The UK is no stranger to rain which is why efficient damp-proofing is essential.
Depending on your age, the words ‘rising damp’ may conjure up images of Rigsby and Miss Jones in the hit TV series of the same name or, more likely, will have you fretting about ruined walls and another expensive household problem that needs fixing.
A green solution
Holland Damp Proofing offers an environmentally friendly way of damp- proofing your home.
How does it work? ‘It uses airflow to dry out walls, rather than toxic chemicals, which are used to install traditional damp proofing systems. It is a permanent solution, guaranteed for 20 years, so it won’t need replacing like normal damp-proofing often does after five to eight years.’
Why is it effective?
‘The system uses specially designed bricks to channel airflow, drying out the walls and removing the damp instead of trying to block it, which is how traditional damp-proofing works. Our system removes the damp so it won’t return. It also has the added effect of preventing wet and dry rot.’’

Another brick in the wall for Evert

[Extract from the Manchester Evening News article - click on this link to see full article]

Another brick in the wall for Evert The region’s wet weather is not one of its most popular attractions, but for one Dutch entrepreneur it was a positive boon for his business. Evert de Graaf came to Britain 10 years ago and settled in Pickmere, near Knutsford, to establish Holland Damp Proofing. It now has four branches across Britain and a multi-million pound turnover after he adopted a damp proofing technique from the Continent, which doesn’t use traditional chemical treatments.

Evert chose Cheshire after considering a number of factors. He said: “You get the most problems with damp in older properties in a damp climate, and the north west has both of those. “After London, it is also the second largest conglomeration of people in the UK and it has excellent transport links.”

10 green years of breathing homes

[Extract from the Knutsford Times article - click on this link to see full article]

10 green years of breathing homes It is a well known fact that amongst other health problems, serious respiratory illnesses are known to stem from damp houses. Evert's system can solve this problem ecologically with minimal fuss or disruption. It can be installed from outside the property without creating any mess and the system is completely chemical free.

Damp proofing company scoops top prize

Environmentally-friendly damp proofing company, Holland Damp Proofing, has been crowned ‘Business of the Year’ at a glittering awards ceremony. Holland Damp Proofing Business of the Year 2008 The company scooped the prestigious accolade at the Vale Royal Business Awards, in recognition of their unique damp proofing system.

Judges at the black-tie dinner and awards ceremony, held at the Macdonald Portal Hotel, Golf & Spa in Tarporley, praised the company for their ability to introduce a ‘green’ product into the mainstream market and make it both successful and profitable.

“This is a fantastic achievement and huge honour for Holland Damp Proofing,” commented Managing Director Evert de Graaf. “Our system is completely different from UK methods because we do not contain the damp using chemical injections and waterproof coatings – we remove it. This award is confirmation that the Holland Damp Proof System® is an innovative solution that really works.”

Holland Damp Proofing has treated thousands of homes across the country, from terraced houses to barn conversions, as people opt for the system as ‘THE’ eco-friendly way to treat damp. Not only is the system often cheaper than traditional methods, one of the biggest benefits to customers is that all the work is completed from the outside meaning there is no need to redecorate or replaster. By using specially designed bricks, the Holland Damp Proof System® dries out moisture in the walls using airflow, allowing the property to ‘breathe’ and creating better insulating walls.

The system, which comes with a lifetime guarantee, works on all types of walls to tackle problems such as rising damp, penetrating damp, condensation and mould – that can lead to structural damage and health problems if left untouched.

Donation to Wildlife Sanctuary

Staff at Holland Damp Proofing thought they were going quackers when two baby ducklings wandered into their Pickmere offices last week. The ducklings, thought to be just one day old, got lost and separated from their mother while on their way to a nearby pond... wandering into the offices by mistake. But caring staff at the leading damp proofing company didn't duck their responsibilities - safely transporting the two babies to nearby wildlife sanctuary Lower Moss Wood, near Knutsford.

"The little ducklings just wandered in," explained Andrea Mountney, for Holland Damp Proofing. "They were making such a racket we thought it was next door doing some repairs. When I found them in the downstairs loo I couldn't believe what I was seeing, they looked so bewildered."

Holland Damp Proofing, which has installed a revolutionary damp proofing system across thousands of homes, has a history of looking after the environment. And the company's director Evert De Graaf was so bowled over by the work at Lower Moss Farm, that he has made a £300 donation to the sanctuary.

"We were delighted to give a donation to such a worthwhile cause - Ray does tremendous work at Lower Moss Wood and this is our way of putting something back into the community," said Evert. "As a company we place a top priority on environmental issues - our product is 100% environmentally friendly."

Ray Jackson MBE, who runs Lower Moss Wood, added: "It is quite common for some ducklings to get lost when they are following their mum, but Holland Damp Proofing did the right thing bringing the ducklings here. We have a special incubator to help support them when they are tiny, and they usually stay with us for a couple of months until they are strong enough to be released back in to the wild."

Federation of Business British Champions 2007

Area Runner Up Innovation Award 2007

British Small Business Champions 2007

Holland Damp Proofing took the Innovation Runner up Trophy for tile Central Area. 1997 Evert de Graaf brought to the UK a method of curing damp in buildings which had been successfully used in his homeland of Holland for over 29 years.

Unlike the methods of curing damp already available in the UK, Holland Damp Proofing does not use any chemicals. Instead, it fits damp-regulating bricks into specially prepared niches in external wails to evaporate moisture and dry out walls. Holland Damp Proofing works on rising and penetrating damp, condensation and mould without having to re-plaster or decorate.

The greatest struggle for the business was to prove that the system worked, once Evert had some successful examples his business took off and his team have treated thousands of buildings across the UK. As well as his Knutsford base he has offices in London and Bristol.

The increase of people's concerns about the environment attracts them to using this chemical-free method. It is also attractive because the work is done from the outside so that the residents lives are not disrupted.

Small Business of the Year 2005

Dutch company celebrates as it is crowned Small Business of the Year.

Holland Damp Proofing has won the Small Business of the Year Award 2005 from Trinity Mirror Newspaper Group. The company won the prestigious accolade in recognition of their unique damp proofing system used to treat thousands of homes across the UK and Europe.

It is different to traditional methods of treating damp, which usually involve knocking down walls and replastering. With the Holland Damp Proofing System® work is undertaken from the outside of the property. Damp-regulating bricks are fitted into specially prepared niches in the external walls to evaporate moisture and dry out the walls. The environmentally-friendly system does not create mess and there is no need to replaster. It can be used on rising and penetrating damp, mould and condensation.

Since the product was bought to the UK by Evert de Graaf in 1997, the business has seen phenomenal growth, with successful offices in the South East, along with a second company in the North West.

The company was praised by judges at a black-tie dinner and awards ceremony held at Chester Moat House Hotel. Caspar Kerckhoff from Holland Damp Proofing, was presented with the Trinity Mirror trophy by Lucy Meacock, presenter of ITV's Granada Reports. He said: "Holland Damp System®has been used for more than 27 years in Holland, where more than half of the land lies under sea level. "Because damp can affect the construction of the property and de-value the house, it is vital to treat it effectively."

Holland Damp Proofing has completed work in thousands of private dwellings as well as properties owned by Solihull Housing Association and Sefton Council. Landlord-owned accommodation is a key growth market area for the organisation. Caspar added: "We were really honoured by the comments made by the independent judging panel as they recognised that our damp proofing system is truly unique.

This award is confirmation that the Holland Damp Proofing System is an innovative solution that really works. The fact that councils and housing associations have been choosing our system is recognition that it is one of the best methods of solving damp."

1988 Winner - Invention Of The Year Award

In 1988 the system won the prize of best invention of the year in a national competition in The Netherlands (nationale ideeenbus). It was broadcasted nationwide and this prize is seen as the start of the success of the product.