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Maatschappij tot Uitvoering van Zuiderzeewerken

The Maatschappij tot Uitvoering van Zuiderzeewerken (MUZ) (English: Society for the Execution of the Zuiderzee Works) was a consortium of Dutch dredging contractors, established in August 1926 for the purposes of constructing the Zuiderzee Works. The founding companies included:

M.J. van Hattum's Havenwerken of Beverwijkhilst Ringers' involvement gave
Hollandsche Aannemingsmaatschappij of The Hague
A. Bos Pzn of Dordrecht
L. Volker Azn

The consortium was led by J.A. Ringers, an engineer from Rijkswaterstaat whose previous hydraulic engineering experience included overseeing the construction of the Noordersluis at IJmuiden. Whilst Ringers' involvement provided significant technical expertise and governmental trust, there remained some concerns that awarding a series of large infrastructure projects to a single joint venture entity created an effective monopoly.

Projects and developments

The first project undertaken by the MUZ was the construction of the Pilot Polder at Andijk (Dutch: Proefpolder Andijk).

On 17 September 1927, the Society for Contracting Zuiderzee Works (MAZ) was founded as a competitor to the MUZ. The MAZ was established by N.V. Maatschappij tot aanneming van werken, owned by A.L.J. (Leendert) Volker in Bussum, and the firm Joh. Kraayeveld in Sliedrecht, which later became Boskalis. This consortium was based in Anna Paulowna, with its first project being the construction of the Boezemmeerdijk.

Over time, additional contractors joined the MAZ, including A. Prins and K.L. Kalis. Other companies, such as Breejenbout and Zanen & Verstoep, participated in the Zuiderzee Works through special arrangements, though they were not formally part of either the MUZ or MAZ.

Merger and Cultural Differences

During the economic crisis years, and following the establishment of the Central Dredging Company, further collaboration became necessary, leading to a merger between the MUZ and MAZ. Notably, there were significant cultural differences between the two organisations, with the MUZ being perceived as more formal. In the book “Het verjaagde water,” Kobus Kalis refers to “The Gentlemen of the MUZ” somewhat disparagingly. This book, in its reissue, includes a comprehensive summary of the MUZ's activities in Appendix 7.

References

   Sluyterman, Keetie, Bram Bouwens (2010). Verdiept Verleden: Een eeuw koninklijke Boskalis Westminster en de Nederlandse Baggerindustrie. Boom, Amsterdam, pp. 100-116. ISBN 978-90-8506-949-2.
   Korteweg, Joke (2018). Grondleggers. Balans, Amsterdam, p. 24. ISBN 978-94-6003-928-7.
   "The Society for the Execution of Zuiderzee Works," Nieuwe Rotterdamsche Courant, 18 August 1926. Accessed 7 July 2024. – via Delpher.
   den Doolaard, A., Kees d'Angremond, and Gerit Jan Schiereck (eds.) (2001). Het verjaagde water. Delft University Press. ISBN 90-407-2224-2.

Categories:

   Zuiderzee Works
   Dredging Companies