Davy Ottevaere

As Technical Manager, I am the direct point of contact for TerraCottem distributors and end-users for all their technical questions.

I gladly explain the scientific magic behind our soil conditioning technology but can also assist you in other related matters.

The R&D / tech support / project management only is one side of my job. I’m also the driving force behind the website and social media.

I have been working for the company since the day I graduated from Ghent University in 2000.

I hold a Master’s degree in bio-engineering, with expertise in soil and water management. I wrote a thesis “Soil Physical and Soil Mechanical Criteria for the Playability of Soccer Fields”, which made me co-author of the Belgian “GANDA criteria”: soil physical and mechanical guidelines for construction of sports turf.

Soccer also is a big personal passion: almost every free moment you can either find me in the stands of my favourite team or on the pitch coaching elite youth teams. Or coaching the coaches. At this moment, I am sports manager for the under-10 to under-12 of KV Kortrijk.

What do you do in the garden to save water?

"To be honest: taking care of our garden isn’t first priority. Every summer our garden is “abused” by hosting camping parties, soccer & volleyball matches and other stuff by the children. Brilliant! Nevertheless, I will never water the lawn or flowers with tab water. The only occasional watering is done with rainwater."

If you can travel in time, what year are you going and why?

"A 1000 years from now. To see what the world looks like…"

How did you get into your job at TerraCottem?

"I was offered the job when I was on the verge of graduating from university. When writing my master thesis, I met a couple of times with professor Van Cotthem. He brought me in contact with Bernard Devos, Carol’s father."

What is the best professional advice you’ve ever received?

See question 8...

Favourite aspect of your work?