Reasons for optimism
Small talk
Could you tell me something about the origin and evolution of Harden?
Paweł Fiuczek, managing director, Harden: Harden Construction was founded in 2020. At the end of September and early October of that year, we were barely twelve people in a co-working office. That’s when we began our first project in Konotopa near Warsaw. Four years have passed since then. Today we employ almost 100 people across ten teams throughout Poland and have over 20 completed projects under our belts with 900,000 sqm handed over for use – and we’re slowly closing in on 1 mln sqm. Since the very beginning, we have had ambitious goals. We planned for rapid growth but the reality exceeded even our most optimistic expectations and plans. The seven-year goals we set were achieved in three. For example, 2023 was undoubtedly a record year in terms of revenues and projects. We completed our first building with a BREEAM rating of ‘Outstanding’ as well as a factory for a household appliances producer.
What is it that distinguishes Harden from the competition?
Łukasz Kozerski, operations director, Harden: Above all, our focus at Harden Construction is on quality. Each part of our business and operations must be based on quality. Without it, there’s no chance of being successful in this market. That’s why at every step we ensure that everything is done with the greatest care. But this is not possible without employing the best specialists in the sector.
PF: Other important factors for us include growth, relationships and respect. Under the current economic model, knowledge is more valuable than capital. That’s why we spend huge resources to find the best specialists on the market who will want to strengthen our team to create a leading player among industrial real estate general contractors. Equally important is the proper implementation and providing the space for each of our professionals to develop. A flexible approach and the building of long-term relations both within the organisation and with our business partners is what allows us to remain stable and strengthen our market position.
Has ESG now become standard for industrial general contractors?
ŁK: Yes. Sustainable construction and ESG were still only recently a curiosity or a premium service. Today they’re the norm. Our clients are placing more importance on how their projects impact the natural environment, their surroundings and the local community. This is equally important to us, too, because when we create a building we want to do it in the knowledge that we’re doing something worthwhile. We not only build superb warehouses that serve our customers, but we create buildings that are able to exist in harmony with the environment. We want to create buildings that have the minimum negative impact on the climate but that also provide added value for local communities rather than being unwanted developments. More companies are also beginning to see things in the same way, so ESG has indeed become the sector norm. For example, In developing the 80,000 sqm building B in Robaków, we not only had to adapt the construction to the required usage the building was intended to fulfil, but also build it without PVCs or related materials. It’s also worth pointing out that this year we have been awarded EcoVadis ‘Platinum’ for having achieved the highest levels of sustainable development and social responsibility.
How is Harden planning to reduce its carbon footprint even further?
PF: At Harden Construction we are taking numerous measures to reduce our carbon footprint and meet increasingly stringent ESG requirements. We use building materials with such certifications as FSC and EPD, and we build centres equipped with the latest construction technology – including solar panels, heat pumps and LED systems, which significantly reduce energy usage and CO2 emissions. Most important for us is the use of advanced systems to monitor and save energy and water. Logistics is also important, as it plays a significant role in CO2 emissions during construction. For this reason, we try to shorten the supply chain as much as possible.
Could you tell me anything about your latest projects?
PF: We’ve been very busy over the last few months. In Q3, we completed the largest City Logistics warehouse in Poland (44,000 sqm) and a City Logistics centre in Warsaw. We’ve also finished the construction of a production hall for Fabryka Mebli Wersal in Kępno on the site of an operating factory.
ŁK: We are not slowing down and are working on projects all over the country, including a distribution centre for a leading retailer in Szczecin (53,000 sqm), while we’re planning to begin construction work on the site of a Rector Polska plant in Jaworzyna Śląska. We’re building a logistics park in Będziń with an area of 27,500 sqm, while in Ruda Śląska we are in the final stage of constructing a 31,300 sqm warehouse. It’s also worth mentioning the construction of a 14,200 sqm hall in Koluszki. Other than this, we’re starting two new projects in the Wielkopolska region. The projects we’re working on have a combined area of over 240,000 sqm. Soon we are going to hand over three new centres.
PF: We are flexible. We never stand still. We have a team of excellent specialists across Poland on board – and that’s why we’re optimistic about the future.
Interview: Alex Hayes
