Utrecht, 3 February 2026 - This morning, Royal Jaarbeurs opened VSK+E 2026, the largest trade fair for the entire E and W installation sector. The opening clearly showed that the sector is in full swing: the new coalition agreement provides additional opportunities, the demand for smart and sustainable techniques is growing fast and VSK+E is the place where all developments come together. With thousands of visitors, hundreds of exhibitors and a strong content programme, the industry is starting a year full of change, innovation and new opportunities.
Strong start thanks to positive news from coalition agreement
During the opening there was a lot of optimism about the new coalition agreement that gives the installation sector a clear boost. Mark Harbers, chairman Techniek Nederland, emphasised how important these steps are: "The Netherlands faces enormous social tasks. The energy transition, a future-proof built environment and solutions to grid congestion are stalled without innovative technical solutions. I welcome the new standardisation for heat pumps from 2029; it will generate a lot of new work and new developments. It is these kinds of major societal challenges that companies in the engineering sector are developing solutions for." The new standardisation will make hybrid heat pumps standard when replacing central heating boilers from 2029, giving the sector extra room to grow and become more sustainable.
Innovation at the heart of the sector
The same ambition also rings true at Jaarbeurs . At the official opening, Joyce van de Hoef, cluster manager Construction & Installation at Jaarbeurs, set the tone for the next four exhibition days: "VSK+E 2026 shows how broad, innovative and future-oriented our sector is. This is where the installation sector comes together to discover, learn and look ahead. The speed at which new techniques and cooperation between disciplines reinforce each other is unprecedented. Those who walk around here see the future of the built environment in action."
Winners VSK+E Awards 2026 excel in innovation and craftsmanship
For yet another edition of the VSK+E Awards, a nine-member professional jury, led by Mark Harbers, cut its teeth on the innovations submitted. The jury judged the entries on impact, applicability, degree of innovation and contribution to energy transition. The result: four outspoken winners that show how quickly the sector is innovating, cooperating and innovating. For example, the jury praised Interduct's remanufactured ventilation unit, which marks a big step towards circular installations thanks to smart technology and up to 84% less use of materials, and also won the public award. Attema B.V. was also praised: their Universal Mounting Plate Detection Systems reduce failure costs and physical strain, setting a new standard for mounting solutions in suspended ceilings. The digitisation drive in the sector was powerfully represented by Manuel AI, which provides fitters with brand-specific solutions within 30 seconds, thus securing knowledge and preventing errors. Finally, there was much appreciation for Renson, which with the Flux+ Wall introduces a compact, energy-efficient and demand-controlled ventilation solution that contributes to more comfortable and healthier buildings. Together, according to the jury, these winners show how innovation, craftsmanship and future-oriented thinking are taking the installation sector to a higher level in 2026.
VSK+E will be at Royal Jaarbeurs from Tuesday 3 February to Friday 6 February 2026.
