When a construction site contains materials worth millions, concerns about security naturally follow. This was the case for Elindco, one of Zealand’s largest carpentry and joinery companies, when they were responsible for the renovation of the historic shipyard halls (Værftshallerne) in Helsingør, Denmark. The project included, among other things, custom-made skylights, which alone represented a significant investment.

Henrik, who has been a foreman at Elindco for 26 years, clearly remembers the reason for deciding on surveillance: "We had custom-made skylights on site with a very high value, so it was important to make sure they weren’t stolen." For him, it wasn’t just about protecting materials but also about ensuring a calm and secure site and avoiding unexpected expenses. Choosing Kooi was a natural decision.

Elindco and the historic shipyard halls project

Founded by Erik Lind more than 56 years ago, Elindco is based in Jyllinge and is owned by five partners. The company employs around 230 people, including 82 office staff, 130 carpenters, one tiler, and about 20 apprentices. Elindco primarily works on public construction projects such as schools, hospitals and kindergartens. According to Henrik, this requires both quality and reliability: "We’re a solid company that mostly works with public projects, and that places high demands on both quality and operational reliability."

The renovation of the Værftshallerne was far from ordinary. Elindco was tasked with replacing the entire roof while preserving the building’s original appearance. The work included a new 320-ton steel structure, insulation, skylights and light strips. The custom-made skylights were so valuable that security became just as important as the construction itself. "We had very high-value materials on site, and it was crucial to secure them so we could stay on schedule," Henrik explains.

customer stories: Kooi and Elindco on the construction site
customer stories: Kooi and Elindco on the construction site

From break-in to collaboration

Early in the project, Elindco suffered a break-in where materials and tools worth around DKK 100,000 were stolen. That incident was a turning point. "We had to find an alternative to reduce the risk, so Kooi came in and gave us a proposal. Since then, we’ve hardly had any issues," says Henrik.

The company chose Kooi, with whom they had already had good experiences on previous projects. Project manager Daniel B. Jørgensen, responsible for procurement and contracts at Elindco, explains the decision: "Kooi offered a flexible, secure and attractive solution. At the same time, it was economically competitive." For Elindco, the combination of reliability, budget security and fast service made Kooi the obvious partner, especially on a project with such high-value assets at stake.

A flexible and transparent solution

Elindco started with one Kooi unit on site but increased the number to three when the risk and value were highest. Henrik quickly noticed the impact: "We scaled the number of units up and down depending on the site’s value and risk level. In the beginning, people sometimes entered the site, but when the siren went off and they were approached, they ran off."

He also highlights the importance of Kooi’s all-inclusive model: "Having a fixed price is a huge advantage. We know exactly what we can budget for without unforeseen expenses." With a fixed weekly rate that also includes guard call-outs, Elindco had a solution without financial surprises.

 


 

"It’s great to have a fixed price. You know exactly what you’re getting and can include it in the budget without unexpected extra costs."

Henrik B. Jørgensen
Foreman | Elindco


 

Fast delivery and a 9-second response time

The fact that Kooi could deliver the equipment quickly was another advantage.
"As far as I know, it was already delivered the next day," says Daniel. This rapid delivery meant the site was quickly secured, minimising the risk of new thefts and subsequent delays.

The response time also proved crucial. Henrik explains: "The response time has been perfect. We receive an email immediately, and if the situation is serious, we get a phone call. It’s been absolutely perfect." Kooi’s control centre reacts in an average of 9 seconds, which gave Elindco a tangible sense of security in practice.

customer stories: a visit to the shipyard halls

Technology that fits daily operations

For Henrik and his team, it was essential that the technology was easy to use in a busy workday.
"The app is incredibly easy to use. If someone needs to enter the site, we can quickly arm or disarm the alarm," he says.

Although he rarely needed the live view, he appreciates the feature: "It’s nice to be able to quickly check if everything looks calm." He also points out that Kooi’s support team was always available when units needed to be moved or adjusted.

From one project to a framework agreement

The positive experience from the historic shipyard halls project led to an extended partnership. Daniel explains: "For that reason, we decided to sign a framework agreement and roll it out across the rest of the company." This ensures that future projects benefit from the same level of safety, budget predictability and flexibility.

Recommendation

For Henrik, there’s no doubt: "I would definitely recommend camera surveillance on construction sites, especially where tools and expensive materials are stored." He emphasises that a break-in costs not only the value of the stolen materials but also lost working hours. The experience from the historic shipyard halls project shows that Kooi’s fixed pricing, fast delivery and 9-second response time make a real difference for both site security and project progress.

Jelle van Tol from Kooi standing in front of a mobile camera unit.

More information?

Each construction site comes with its own challenges. Reach out to Jelle van Tol for a suitable mobile surveillance solution or additional information.