Fresh thinking and design KÉSZ Group

FRESH THINKING AND DESIGN

One of Hungary’s leading construction companies, the KÉSZ group, has been extending its activities in recent times. In addition to continuing to provide construction services, it has also focused on business development. 2013 brought significant changes in the company’s structure and its procedures and specialist knowledge were diversified. Edina Beale reports.

Established over 30 years ago as a family business, the KÉSZ group has gradually developed to become a well-known construction company which today occupies a significant position in the Hungarian construction market as well as being active in foreign markets. Recently the company has changed its structure from a holding company managing nearly 40 subsidiaries to one with central divisions in which are grouped all the current activities.

As a result of this, the company’s core activity of construction services including planning, manufacturing, building and assembling is now part of the Engineering and Technology Competence Centre – the company’s core profit centre. The Business Administration Services Competence Centre deals with back office duties including finance, accounting, marketing, IT, quality management, work safety, document management, translation and other day-to-day business-related services.

The Asset Management Competence Centre looks after all the group’s assets, including the portfolio of real estate. The Lifestyle Service Competence Centre represents the commitment of the KÉSZ group to encourage people to choose healthy lifestyles. Tourism, catering and the hand-made food trade activities belong to this division.

KÉSZ continues to manufacture and assemble steel structures and produce metal sheets in the KÉSZ Industrial Park in Kecskemét. The company also produces electric switchboards in large volumes for export and has explored numerous opportunities in the property development market. In 2005 the group was among the first to get involved in fledgling PPP projects in Hungary enabling it to become a leader in this field.

Since then KÉSZ has won numerous tenders and taken part in most major national developments. The company designed and planned the SkyCourt airport in Budapest and had a significant role in building the Mercedes factory in Kecskemét. Most recently, KÉSZ has completed a major contract to build Europe’s most striking and modern square, the National Square, in front of of the Hungarian Parliament building. At present the group is carrying out many important industrial construction projects as well as building a sugar factory and a healthy product manufacturing plant.

Focus on innovation

The company’s new structure enables KÉSZ to focus on innovation more than ever. It aims to explore new technological solutions in the area of renewable energy, not only to best meet the changing customer demand but to emphasise its commitment to environmental protection and efficient energy consumption. Marketing and communication manager of the KÉSZ Group, Mr Marcell Pintyőke, confirms this: “KÉSZ

Containers that are simple and creative

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The range of possibilities are wide, nearly infinite, thanks to the combinable modules and the fact that the company can produce and supply containers in a large variety of sizes.

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is a leader in developments, in technologies and knowledge transfer alike. The aim is not only to achieve efficiency but technological innovation. At present we are working on a project that provides a totally new aspect of freedom in designing and in using materials rationally. We believe that without innovation and development no one can keep ahead in today’s world. This was the reason that we established the Hungarian Innovative Construction Open Cluster a couple of years ago to join up Hungarian businesses that are particularly committed to sustainable growth and innovative approaches. The ultimate aim of the KÉSZ group is to maintain and develop its own abilities and to integrate innovation platforms that positively shape not only the company but the environment too. We believe that synergy is the key for the Hungarian construction companies to succeed. We must learn how to think together, develop together and use the expertise that Hungarians have and which we are so famous for.”

The Hungarian construction industry has changed significantly following the recession. There are fewer projects and developments in the market. It is harder for the investors to arrange finance and as a result the preparation process is now more difficult and takes longer. Many market players have diversified without properly setting up for their new directions, as Mr Pintyőke explains: “There are only two or three companies in Hungary that are able to carry out large scale projects. Most firms are not capable of managing these without using subcontractors but yet they still tend to have a go at it. This impedes the efficient operation of the market. For this reason, our biggest advantages are our own abilities, expertise and our human resources. Our 1500 employees have competences and abilities that add real value to a planning or construction project. A significant number of our partners are large international companies, to whom the added value or value engineering are also very important. Our international presence is strengthening our market position, too. We are active in more than 12 countries so we are leaving a significant footprint on the globe.” n