Leaders in Polish construction industry CFE

LEADERS IN POLISH CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

CFE Poland is part of the Belgian CFE Group, a multidisciplinary group with over 130 years of experience in construction, real estate and dredging activities. The Polish arm of CFE began its activities as a general contractor in 1996. Piotr Sadowski writes for Industry Europe.

Over nearly 20 years of operations, CFE Poland has gained extensive experience in the construction of shopping centres and department stores for leading retail chains (such as Carrefour, E. Leclerc and Platforma), completing the majority of these projects as the general contractor under the ‘design and build’ contract methodology (more on that later). The company has a stable turnover of approximately €50 million per annum.

“For a while we were also engaged in civil works, bridges and roads, but from 2002 we concentrated solely on construction,” explains Bruno Lambrecht, general director at CFE Poland. “That year we completed a project for the hotel industry and then in 2007 we finished our first residential project. In 2008 we completed the second float line for the Saint Gobain glass factory in Dąbrowa Górnicza, while in 2009 we worked on the ‘Przymorze’ commercial centre in Gdańsk. In 2013 we secured the ISO 9001 and 14001 certifications and we are now strengthening our position with the construction of the Greenwings and Promenada buildings in Warsaw.”

Recent investments

CFE Poland constructs all buildings according to the strictest requirements when it comes to structure, safety and environmental protection. The company’s projects are regularly recognised in prestigious competitions such as ‘Site of the Year’ (organised by the Polish Association of Civil Engineers and Technicians) or ‘Safe Site’ (organised by the National Labour Inspectorate), for the high quality of its construction works, short completion times, compliance with safety standards and the use of environmentally-friendly materials.

The company currently has many important projects in progress, one of which involves the first and second extension of the Atrium Promenada Commercial Centre in Warsaw, which upon completion will have been extended by 14,600m2. The project, as described by Mr Lambrecht, is a very prestigious one. Another important project realisation in Warsaw was the Wola Tarasy Residential Building, CFE’s own investment project covering an area of 9056m2 .

It is important to note that CFE Poland not only concentrates on Warsaw, but has carried out and is currently engaged in major construction projects in other parts of the country. “In Gdańsk, for example, we are completing a four-stage project, Four Oceans, which will see the construction of four residential towers with 600 apartments covering an impressive area of 84,000m2,” says Mr Lambrecht. “It is also CFE’s own investment project and we are currently in the process of completing the third and fourth stage. Once finished, it will be a truly impressive set of residential buildings.” On the Baltic coast, in Darłowo, CFE Poland is also completing a project called Marina Royale, an apartment building of 6200m2 for Belgian clients, POC Partners. “The strapline for the project is ‘Closer to the Sea’, and so what makes this particular work really impressive is the fact that the apartment building is literally being constructed in the sea, within the marina, which will be a stunning construction when it is finished,” adds Mr Lambrecht.

Focus on green construction and value engineering

CFE Poland is fully aware of the need for the current generation to build and behave in a sustainable and environmentally responsible manner. It was in fact one of the founders of the Polish Green Building Council, now a recognised institution whose mission is to support all construction initiatives which have a positive impact on the environment.

Value engineering is another crucial focus for CFE Poland, an approach which offers an important pathway to really engage with and answer all the questions from investors relating to designs and buildings which meet high quality standards without becoming over-luxurious – and, thus, overly expensive for the investors.

“There is a tendency in Poland to sometimes overdo it, that is to create, for example, residential buildings which are far too luxurious,” explains Mr Lambrecht. “By engaging in the value engineering approach with our customers we are able to come up with standards that have an optimum balance between cost and quality. This approach also means that we invest time to really engage with our clients, get to know what they want, communicate well with them and concentrate on coming up with well-defined solutions and ideas before actual construction work begins.”

Another important methodology applied in the company’s works, mentioned in the introduction to the article, is the ‘design and build’ contract methodology. This approach is very efficient cost-wise, as it ensures that projects are very well-defined at an early stage and is set on

Tremend Sp. z o.o.

Tremend architectural and engineering company was established in 2010 and since then it’s developing dynamically, till now it has executed more than 100 projects, hired over 80 specialists working in three offices across Poland and on the investment sites. This architectural office is working with public buildings, railway stations, shopping centers, hotels, exhibition buildings, factories and more. Tremend has strong sense of design, which led to many won competitions. Beside design the company is also engaged with leading and supervising the management process with big scale investors.

Tremend is working with Polish, French and American investors.

the basis of a fixed price. It involves close communication with the investor from the very beginning, an interaction with the client which allows it to come up with the best possible project. “In addition, we are also able to offer DBFM methodology, that is, ‘design, build, finance and maintain’, which shows another aspect of our flexibility when cooperating with our customers,” adds the general director.

Future growth

CFE Poland’s market strategy is very much focused on longterm cooperation with clients, with whom the company has a strong track record. To date, CFE Poland has delivered all of its projects on time and has never had any major issues with customers post-construction.

“We plan to focus on good work and cooperation with international clients, focus on the industry with the aim to expand, as we are still a medium-sized company,” concludes Mr Lambrecht. “We also plan to grow through more of our own investments in residential projects. Currently we are engaged in plans for four such investments – two in Warsaw and one each in Wrocław and Gdańsk – so the focus on growth through increased development of real estate will also be driving our future development.” n

Mr Bruno Lambrecht – General Director of CFE POLSKA