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Small talk
Could you tell us a little about your company – how big it is now, and the work that you generally do?
Paweł Fiuczek, managing director, Harden Construction: Both Łukasz and I have had the opportunity to work in the construction industry for many years, in different locations and on different projects. Our paths had crossed many times and when the opportunity arose to create a company that would be a general contractor in the field of industrial construction, I immediately thought of inviting Łukasz to this project. We started in 2020 in Warsaw, in the midst of the pandemic, when external factors, to put it mildly, were not conducive to business. Nevertheless, even in such difficult times, we saw an opportunity for us. Changing shopping habits and the growth of e-commerce – in not just the fashion and white goods segments, but also the grocery sector – forced manufacturers to rapidly change their businesses, and thus the need arose for modern logistics centres, warehouses and sorting facilities. We responded to this and set off to conquer the market. In just 30 months since we began operations, our company has completed facilities with a total area in excess of 400,000 sqm, and now we have the same amount of space under construction.
How did you personally get into this business?
Łukasz Kozerski, operating director, Harden Construction: We have been involved in the construction sector virtually since the beginning of our careers, for over 18 years. Over this time, we have mainly worked for general contractors, which has allowed us to specialise in the construction of industrial and manufacturing facilities. Not only do we have the know-how and the experience, but it’s also something we feel and enjoy doing. Of course, in the past we also happened to develop hotels and offices, which was an interesting experience and provides a broader perspective, but in the end we both focused on building business logistics parks. Those years of experience in different organisations and with different teams have allowed us to draw conclusions about what we wanted Harden Construction to be. We’ve learned that for a company to work well, it should form a single organism – a cohesive organisation where people know and support each other and communicate. In doing so, we have also developed the trust that forms the basis of our operations in the general contracting segment.
What state is the sector in at the end of the e-commerce boom?
PF: Despite the gentle slowdown in economic growth linked to high inflation, the market remains stable. We continue to receive new inquiries from investors and are making new investments all the time. The boom in Poland is not over yet. The market has stabilised and is at a much higher level than before the pandemic, due to consumer preferences and spending power. The upward trend in e-sales is continuing in Poland. So, while Western markets may already be saturated, there’s still a lot of work to be done in our country in terms of developing online sales services.
What projects are you currently engaged in?
ŁK: We are in the middle of a number of tender processes, but at the same time we are in the middle of more projects. Among other things, we are building two warehouse facilities near Poznań with a total area of over 140,000 sqm, including one for a global leader in the clothing market, a production facility for a leader in the electronics and white goods market, and two logistics facility projects in Lisi Ogon near Bydgoszcz. We’re also in the process of constructing the most modern and strategic facility with a sorting plant for the Polish Post Office in Radzymin near Warsaw as well as two smaller projects in Silesia.
Does constructing e-commerce facilities require special know-how, compared to other kinds of industrial development?
PF: Building facilities for e-commerce use is extremely fast. This applies to the entire process, from the decision-making to the completion and handover of the final facility to the investor, because having an in-house design department, as we do, speeds up many activities. The technology associated with intelligent sorting and automated storage is also more advanced than in standard storage facilities. We strive for innovative solutions that are cost-effective but also sustainable. Hence, for example, we are introducing process support applications, both at the construction and commissioning stages of a building, as well as systems that monitor the deflection of the roof structure. With every construction project, we establish green areas, and plant trees and flower meadows. We were one of the first to build a green-roofed warehouse with a sizeable area of 5,000 sqm.
Isn’t the summer a particularly busy time in your sector? Do you ever get the chance for a summer holiday – or do you have to wait until winter for a skiing vacation or one in a warmer climate?
ŁK: The technology currently available enables us to carry out projects in both summer and winter. Indeed, the summer is intensive for our industry, but we are nevertheless able to go on holiday, so in order to maintain continuity in decision-making we have agreed not to go on holiday during the same period. We promote sporting activities within the organisation, so there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities and relaxation. Maintaining a balance between work and leisure is essential for business success. This is also what we keep telling our employees.
Interview: Elwira Soćko
