They Built up Trust - Karmar
For nearly 20 years of its existence, Karmar S.A. (Joint-Stock Company), Warsaw, has proven to have the know-how essential for the success in the building industry. In the right place and at the right time, the business gathered specialists experienced in construction, design, finance, legal matters and construction consulting. Initially, these people focused on construction works. Nowadays, they enjoy the status of a general contractor conducting many lucrative investments, including “turnkey” projects. Since 2007, the business has been operating in close alliance with their French shareholder, Bouyges Batiment International. Their achievements have been duly recognized by the influential “Forbes” and “Puls Biznesu” magazines.
International Potential
In 1991, when Karmar S.A. entered the Polish market, its founders set themselves one yet ambitious goal, namely to provide construction services in a professional and comprehensive manner. In doing so, they hit the spot immediately. Many leading market players had proved before them that quality and professionalism remained pivotal to lasting success. The transformation into a joint-stock company, which was completed in 1997, was its first clear manifestation. As the business soon started handling construction projects of a considerable size, it decided to stimulate further growth. Hence the company received a significant boost and, within a decade, drew the attention of global investors. What is more, it was the management of Bouyges Batiment International, the real worldwide construction leader, who turned their attention to Karmar and soon decided to take it over. The incorporation took place on 22nd June 2007, which went down in Karmar’s history and it did so for a reason. Thanks to this merger, the business gained access to cutting-edge technologies. Furthermore, the collaboration with their French partners enabled the business to embark upon the projects which, until then, had been beyond their financial capabilities. The fact that the support lent by Bouyges Batiment International had such a beneficial effect should not come as a surprise, however. The sheer volume of their main shareholder should suffice to illustrate this. Present on the markets in over 80 countries, Bouygues Construction is the world leader in construction industry, power industry and public works sector. The wide scope of Bouygues Construction’s activities includes preparing projects and their comprehensive performance as the general contractor. It provides jobs for over 53 thousand employees worldwide. Bouygues Construction forms part of the French Bouygues corporate group, operating also in telecommunications (Bouygues Telecom), media (TF1), roads (COLAS) and real estate (Bouygues Immobilier).
Independent Market Player
You would be in the wrong, however, thinking that Karmar S.A. is thriving thanks to the foreign capital only. The company has made its mark with more than 48 completed investment projects, 6 deals completed as a subcontractor, and over a dozen construction contracts in the course of completion, the majority of which are the long-term ones. So far it has built premises with the total area of more than 1 mln square meters and the total capacity of over 3.8 million cubic metres. Nearly two third of its projects Karmar carries out for housing industry, another one third is made up of public buildings such as commercial premises and office centres. At the initial stages of its activity the business focused on Warsaw and its vicinity. Nowadays it completes projects all around Poland, including Gdańsk, Zgorzelec, Leszno and Środa Wielkopolska, and keeps developing the chain of regional branches, the first of which came into being in Wrocław, Lower Silesia, in 2007. In 2003, its annual revenue did not even reach the amount of 50 million PLN while nowadays it tops the figure of 330 million. The turnover the business boasts has been made possible by their employees’ dedication and professionalism. This would not be achieved either if it was not for the trust placed in the brand by the customers, who, once provided with reliable service, turn back to Karmar whenever they start subsequent investments. The proper back-up facilities has proven equally vital for this success. Due to the scope of the business and the consequent demand for reinforced prefabricated units, in 2007, the company launched the reinforcement plant equipped in modern technology devices for high quality fabrication of these components. The plant’s production capacity exceeds 2000 tons of finished products per month, mainly for Karmar and other companies. The experienced employees working there guarantee the high standard of reinforced units and efficient cooperation with customers.
Public Procurement Contracts
The successful market player as it is, Karmar allows itself no room for complacency. As its management keeps looking to their laurels, in 2008, they decided to expand its previous activities in the field of building industry by infrastructure investment projects such as construction of roads, bridges and railway viaducts. The company has already proven to carry out such tasks properly and on time, largely due to its experienced personnel, reliable business partners and specialist market knowledge. Since the beginning of 2009, the company has closely collaborated with DTP Terrassement, which belongs, just like Karmar, to the Bouygues corporate group. As regards the earthworks, this business is second to none in the French market. Moreover, Terrassement boasts an impressive experience indeed in the construction of highways, airport runways, high-speed rail lines. Additionally, it successfully completes such projects as the construction of ski slopes, artificial sea islands, quarry exploration, building of dams and flood banks. DTP Terrassement has references and resources which allow it to successfully tender for the public procurement contracts. Thus, their close ally, Karmar, has been given a green light to take part in the investments commissioned by Generalna Dyrekcja Dróg Krajowych i Autostrad (the General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways). A subcontractor to DTP Terrassement, Karmar provides experience, back-up facilities and professional personnel. The reliability of theirs together with a huge capacity of their French partners proves a winning combination so indispensable for efficient completion of all the construction projects, those for public sector investors in particular.
Cutting Edge Technology
At Karmar, the utmost importance is attached to quality. A key to being successful and competitive, the top notch service standards are consequently strived after by the management. It is done so for a reason as the business has to fulfil the growing expectations of the customers and shareholders as well as to comply with increasingly restrictive legal standards. These are met more than satisfactorily because Karmar has the know-how necessary to recognise the changes in market demand. To be on top of construction technology and building materials, the company carries out all the relevant surveys. It also applies modern technology solutions, which in turn ensure high standard workmanship and the timely completion of the projects. In order to avoid unnecessary problems with unreliable business partners, the company has worked out an internal procedure for classification of suppliers and subcontractors. The standards of quality implemented there comply with the requirements of the Quality Management System, further confirmed by the ISO 9001: 2000 certificate. Karmar is planning to obtain new quality certificates this year, such as ISO 14001 for environmental awareness and OHSAS for health and safety issues. Karmar’s policy is largely inspired by the Total Quality Management philosophy. Thus, the company can complete the projects in a more flexible and effective manner, as well as to undertake enterprises which it has not been able to embark upon before. The policy that Karmar strives to implement is all about being sustainable, which means building win-win relations with their partners and thus safeguarding the company’s strategic interests as well as those of their clients and subcontractors. This also means taking steps beneficial for local communities and the environment, too. No wonder, therefore, that its portfolio includes investments carried out for: Dom Development, Pirelli Pekao Real Estate, MRE Metro Real Estate, Ronson Development, BPH Real Estate, TK Development, ECO Classic, Catalina, Kredyt Bank, MPRO, Sjaelso Poland and many others.
Collected Trophies
Karmar has gained due recognition of the industry and the influential press as well. Since 2005, the “Puls Biznesu” daily has awarded them a title of Gazela Biznesu (Business Gazelle) every year. To be short-listed for the award, a given business has to be reliable and dynamic. It also has to generate an increase in turnover in three succeeding years. The very presence on this list proves already that the company is thriving; that is to say, enjoys an excellent reputation among its clients and does not keep the Treasury in the dark about its financial matters. However, it is a prestigious Forbes Diamond Award by “Forbes” monthly in 2008 and 2010 that make the icing on the cake for Karmar. This ranking takes into account financial results and assets, as well as an ability to expand sales and profits. This year, KARMAR has been rated at the 17th position in Mazovia in the category of companies with revenue of over PLN 250 million. The business has overtaken many prominent companies in the region, including: Budimex Dromex, Dom Development, TVN and J.W. Construction.. As regards other titles awarded to Karmar, the following should be mentioned: honours granted by the “Gazeta Prawna” and BRE Bank and a Przejrzysta Firma 2009 (Transparent Business 2009) award.
Core Values
Last but not least, a few words on the values which Karmar has stuck to for nearly 20 years of its existence. First and foremost, the customers. Their requirements must be always satisfied. Secondly, innovation and technology. These are crucial to achieve affordably priced quality. Thirdly, the employees. In order to realise their full potential, the business expands their knowledge, develops their professional skills and enables them to climb up the career ladder. Fourtlhy, trustworthiness and respect for the environment. Finally, new blood and fresh ideas. Young people are the future of the company. Karmar would certainly make no headway without their contribution.
Written by Bartosz Sowiński
Rapid development, new profiles of production and investments – this is the current situation of Gdańsk Shipyard, the company known not only in the marine industry as a manufacturer of ships, but also as a symbol of struggle for free and independent Poland. During 60 years of its history, Gdańsk Shipyard has built over 1000 ships and hulls for companies around the world. Now, the company conquers the market of steel constructions and the renewable energy sector.
According to the restructuring plan, Gdańsk Shipyard is to focus its activity on three types of production: specialized vessels, wind towers and various types of large steel constructions. Those three types of products are to streng...
Since the company began its production activity under Donato Iribecampos leadership, Grupo Condesa has grown from a small, family business to a corporation that spreads its manufacturing facilities in six countries. Its market share in Spain stands at 37% and has a 20% share of the European market. In total, Grupo Condesa has 2000 workers and its current turnover is 1000 million euros per year. Without further ado, here is Grupo Condesa’s recipe for success.
The Father of SuccessDonato Iribecampos began his activity as a small manufacturer in his hometown- Mondragón (Spain), where in 1954 the present Grupo Condesa (Conducciones y Derivados S.A.) was founded. As the company’s growth continue...
Cadolto is counted among the global leaders of the modular construction industry. Present in Germany for more than a century and in Poland for a decade, it specialises in erecting hospitals, laboratories, including the largest projects of that type worldwide. The two projects in question, namely Centre Hospitalier d’Argenteuil in Paris and Federal Centre for Cardiology in Penza, Russia, when put together, take up an unprecedented overall space of 80,000 sqm. Mr Remigiusz Cichocki, Cadolto Poland’s Representative General speaks to Manufacturing Journal about the local peculiarities of this global player.
History in BriefCadolto Poland’s success story began exactly 10 years ago. Newly admitte...
Some of the industry sections achieve their success thanks to the revolutionary ideas while the others – like the steel section – require good planning, hard work of reliable people and constant evolution of proven technologies. These are the elements that underlie the quality of the Martifer Polska brand. The company’s beliefs, devotion to their work and its perfectly planned structure are reflected in the steel constructions they produce. The company is on its way to follow the success of Martifer Group, the company that has been a leader on the Iberian market for several years.
No revolution – constant evolutionMartfier Polska Sp. z o.o. was founded eight years ago as a part of Martifer...
We know this story all to well. First came credit crunch; banks soon experienced cash flow problems; this in turn rebounded on the building industry. And yet there are construction businesses in Poland that have survived the crisis intact. Among these Format is to be found, the Warsaw-based company with more than 500 investment projects under its belt, completed all around Europe. This business never grows tired of success. They are now developing a nuclear power plant in Finland. Soon after that they are setting out to conquer Sweden.
Success StoryFormat’s track record is like Polish reality in a nutshell. It has enough room for economic transformation and upheaval; it has room for ownersh...
OJSC UGMK was founded only 13 years ago. In such a short period of time on the market it made its presence noticeable. The company’s successful growth can be attributed to its drive for achieving better results in the fields of quality and customer service.
Current achievementsOJSC Ukrayinska girnycho-metalurgiyna kompaniya (UGMK) was established in 1998. The company’s objective was to deliver steel products in any quantity to the wide range of consumers. Moreover, the company offered related services. In 2002 the UGMK company opened its First Metal Supermarket. The concept was so successful that in a short period of time a whole chain of metal supermarkets grew all over the country. In 200...
Analyzing the stories of companies that, regardless of the industry and times, in which they acted, achieved spectacular success, we can pacely conclude that the organizations, which have succeeded on the demanding, global market, have a lot in common. After such a conclusion, we can easily propose a thesis that, in principle, it is enough to meet several conditions, thanks to which this success could be duplicated. First of all, one should have an innovative business idea, correctly locate a niche in the market, develop an effective strategy for development of the company and its products, and invest a sufficiently high capital. It seems fair to say that the responsibilities associated with...
Everyone was talking about the biggest (since “Wall Street Crash”) financial crisis, which badly hit the global economy a few years ago. Media reported of billions of dollars pumped in collapsing industries, governments were creating pacely huge packages of investments to stimulate the economy, millions of people lost their jobs, countries bankrupted. Inflated without restraint speculative bubble in the U.S. real estates market, the irresponsible actions of the Federal Reserve, poorly designed financial management procedures in banks, and finally, to quote professor Adamus of the Jagiellonian University in Kraków, “greed and fear”, led to the most serious collapse of the global economy since...
Aliplast Sp. z o. o (LLC) from Lublin has recently become a success story in the Polish aluminium systems industry. They’ve risen to the top thanks to timely investment, made just after Poland’s accession to the EU, right on the brink of the building boom in Poland. International capital has also played a part: Aliplast belongs to Corialis Group, an international holding present on three continents. Mr Jan Kidaj, Aliplast President, speaks to “Manufacturing Journal” about the company’s achievements and its ambitious investment plan.
Initial GroundworkThe success story started 8 years ago. In 2002, 2 years before Poland’s accession to the EU, Aliplast NV, a Belgian provider of aluminium syst...
The LLENTAB Group designs, manufactures and markets multifunctional steel buildings for a wide range of industries and purposes. The parent company, LLENTAB AB, is headquartered in Sweden. Its story goes back to 1972 and the Lindblad family. Over the years the company has undergone rapid development, growing economically and geographically. At the current moment, the LLENTAB Group has subsidiaries throughout Europe and Scandinavia and a new organization focused on international business. It managed to grow from a small construction company to an international group with branches in Norway, Denmark, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine and Poland.
First step to the East The first vent...
Grupa Skalski, Kraków, has been present on the Polish construction market for nearly 30 years now. Over this time it has managed to complete numerous investment projects and collect a bulk of prizes. However, as Mr Dominik Wróbel, Grupa Skalski’s Managing Director, reveals, it is not so much prizes or honours but customers’ trust that the company finds most rewarding. The business has won recognition on the strength of its innovative ownership structure and the support of the Luxembourg-based Astron Company.
They Took the RiskIn 1982, when Mr Piotr Skalski decided to set up his own business in Kraków, he began modestly, turning out hollow bricks. The company did not become a roaring success...
SONAROL from Jedwabne (Voivodeship of Podlassia) is a brand duly recognised for top quality window and door joinery as well as Styrofoam production. The business has operated for only 13 years now and already managed to join the leaders of middle-size enterprise in Poland. Decisive factors? Thoughtful investment and entrepreneurial savvy. Evidence? Recently awarded prizes, Gazela Biznesu (Business Gazelle) and Diament “Forbesa” (“Forbes” Diamond). SONAROL’s short and yet thrilling track record is to be found below.
From Seed…SONAROL came into being in 1997. However modest its beginnings (it was a warehouse at first), the business got off to a flying start almost immediately. As is well know...
The most important goal for them? Build and improve our quality of life.How do they do it? With creativity and technical skill they plan, design and operate the facilities essential to modern life, ranging from bridges through sport´s, and urban´ s infrastructure They are problem solvers, meeting the challenges of urban redevelopment and community planning. Who are they? They are people who create the Mostostal Puławy corporation.
Mostostal Puławy S.A – or „know- how”As the technological revolution expands, as the population increases, civil engineering skills will be needed. Whatever area you choose, be it design, construction, research, planning, teaching or management, civil engineering...
POLDIM S.A. is a company known in Poland and abroad owing to maintaining the highest standards of road and bridge construction works, which are always finished on schedule. POLDIM is also noted for its road maintenance services and production of materials for the road building industry.
Written by Aleksandra StrojekProtoplast and first structural changes POLDIM carries on more than fifty-years of operations among Polish road and bridge building enterprises. What is more, it considers itself to be the heir to the rich tradition of road and bridge building in the Lesser Poland region as well as in former Galicia. The beginnings of the company date back to 1952. At the time, as a result of an...
ZBUD Sp z o.o. (Lifting Devices Construction Plant Ltd.) since its founding in Dąbrowa Tarnowska in 1985 has an everlasting story of success. In 1990 the company has introduced hoists and hand winches, which, thanks to high quality and fair price, allowed the company to dynamically develop. The main consequence of obtaining an excellent reputation was broadening the company’s assortment by introducing jib cranes, overhead cranes and electric winches.
In 2005 the company reached even higher level of offered services: ZBUD Ltd. accepted first orders to produce lifting devices for partners acting in the offshore sector. Nowadays ZBUD Ltd. is a renowned, recognizable expert producer of liftin...
Thoni Alutec is a producer of light alloy castings in sand and gravity die. Experience gathered over decades combined with continuous expansion of the product range as well as highly skilled staff have made the company one of the most competent jobbing foundries worldwide.
Diversification of the activity range gives the customers of the enterprise a complete supply chain related to light alloy castings. The customers are individually supplied with castings according to various international standards and thus receiving a complete solution tailored to their requirements. The integration of all processes in-house, provides shortest delivery times and a very high level of quality. Family busin...
Just as life provides each of us with different challenges, the business environment creates unique challenges and opportunities for companies. TMK is the perfect example of a company that capitalizes and thrives on challenges. In just a few short years, its ability to capture opportunities and rapid global growth have allowed it to become one of the world’s top three market leaders in its industry.
Looking back on a short past and long future
TMK’s history doesn’t really go too far back. Following TMK’s creation in 2001, several important events refined its strategic course and shaped its future. At first, the Company was Russia-based and included the Volzhsky, Seversky, Sinarsky, and Tag...
10 years were enough for Vincenzo Munzio to transform a simple Service for tank trucks into a successful business. His brilliant idea was turned into O.ME.P.S, an Italian company headquartered in Battipaglia (in the South of Italy) which became an important producer of all types of self supporting and tipping silotrailers and rigid silo tanks and for the transport of powders. Its large range of products is present in most of European countries and since 1999 the number of its clients has reached 2 thousands.
From a small business to a worldwide trademark
O.ME.P.S. was founded by Vincenzo Munzio, its sole managing director, and initially functioned as a small Service for tank trucks. When i...
Established in 1950, Giletta S.p.A has learnt, during many years of its existence, to increase its productivity in an exponential manner. Building on professionalism and experience gathered over the years, the company has achieved success. It has always maintained a direct relationship with its customers in order to be able to better understand and to satisfy their requirements in that it would offer industrialized but at the same time personalized products of high quality. In fact, characteristically for the company, it has always offered a wide range of products, diversified by high technology content and made in order to meet every requirement. These products include: salt spreaders, snow...
