An entrepreneurial adventure that started in 2000 with two driven professionals, grew into a stable player of legionella prevention, research and advice in the field of water and air quality in the Netherlands. After 25 years, Dick van Drooge passes on the baton. We look back with him on a special journey, the connection with Sansidor and what the future holds.

In 1999, the paths of Dick van Drooge and Paul Blahowetz crossed. Both had successful careers but felt the urge to do business. Paul had earned his spurs in the water and air world, Dick as a marine engineer and later in measurement and control engineering. “We decided to join forces, wrote a business plan, borrowed money and rented a small space. In January 2000, we took off. During the day we worked hard to bring in orders and execute jobs, in the evenings and on weekends we produced reports and invoices. It was intense, but it felt like a wonderful adventure.” From day one, Immolab’s culture was key: a pleasant work environment, respect for norms and values, and taking responsibility as a team. “That team spirit has always been our strength,” Dick says. It proved to be a fruitful approach.Within three months, the young company was breaking even.

An anecdote that Dick has always remembered takes place in the early years of Immolab. A large Dutch municipality had put out a tender: complete risk analyses, management plans and technical drawings for dozens of buildings. Two hours before the deadline, Dick and Paul were still bent over a stack of calculation sheets, hesitating between guts and common sense. They pushed their calculations into a sealed envelope, sprinted to City Hall-and won. The job was bigger than their entire annual turnover and forced the young team to scale up at lightning speed. “It felt like we went from zero to a hundred,” recalls Dick.

In the years following its founding, Immolab grew to become a reliable specialist in the field of research and advice on air and water quality. With a technical team, they carried out inspections and measurements in diverse environments: from offices and hospitals to schools, sports complexes and industrial facilities. Immolab’s work was often invisible to the general public, but had a direct impact on people’s health and safety. Their success grew them into a well-known name in the industry.

Due to the wave of consolidation taking place in the industry, the time came in 2018 to choose: continue independently or join a larger organization. “We talked to several parties, but the conversations with HC Partners (Sansidor evolved from this) felt right away. They understood who we were and what we thought was important. The choice to join was easy in the end.” The partnership with Sansidor brought new energy and growth opportunities. “We remained recognizable as Immolab, but gained access to additional knowledge and support in areas such as HR and Finance. That gave us room to focus on our core: delivering quality for our clients. It was a big step, but it brought peace of mind and perspective.”

Join Sansidor’s Buy & Build together approach. We are building a strong TIS (Testing, Inspection & Services) network in the Netherlands and Germany. Do you also want to be part of this network without losing your identity? You will have access to shared support (IT, legal, finance, procurement) and fellow companies to grow with. Curious if this fits? Read more.

Now, in 2025, a new phase is dawning. “After 25 years, it is time for new perspectives and fresh ideas. For me personally, this is a great time to step back and make room for the next generation. “Looking back, Dick feels especially proud.

“Together we have built something beautiful: a stable organization that can grow independently. That is not only to my credit, but the result of our entire team. The joint success really feels like a victory for all of us. What else would I like to give my colleagues? Stay true to yourself, work hard and take responsibility. And above all: do it together.”

Completely letting go, he does not. In October 2025, he will resign his position, but will remain a shareholder and available as an advisor. “I remain an entrepreneur at heart. In the coming time, I want to see what new challenges come my way. But one thing is certain: I will always cherish the years at Immolab and Sansidor.”

Buy-and-build at Sansidor means that entrepreneurs who want to sell their business do not choose to “merge into” but to “grow with.” You retain your name, team and way of working, while benefiting from scale: central support (HR/Finance) and expertise sharing. Financially it gives peace of mind (partly cashing in, clear outlook), commercially it gives elevator (synergy in customers and propositions). The result: continuity for your people and quality for your customers-with your entrepreneurial DNA as a basis.