Interview with Julian Martin of Eugenio Cid, Secretary general of Mnza
March 12, 2010
The world of the prefabricated in the industrial construction is, for years, a significant volume of business. How has it evolved in recent times?
In our opinion, is more correct to speak of 'industrialized' construction, which is the production in fixed centres, perfectly controlled, all kinds of pieces that, once assembled at work, allow the realization of them.
The production of precast concrete has followed in Spain, as in the rest of the world, a parallel to the construction evolution.
The current roof of our production, with a turnover of EUR 8,500 million was reached in 2007. From that year, have been occurring very significant declines, - 23.5% in 2008, with a turnover of 6.5 billion and - 48.2% in 2009 (compared to 2007), with a turnover of € 4.4 billion.
The prefabricated encompasses multiple constructive solutions; from paving until the 'cover' of a ship, drains, etc. What does each segment in billing?
Mnza does not have economic specifics about its partners, because we are a purely technical Association. But I can tell you how the production of the precast in Spain is distributed in percentages: the pavement represents 13.6% of the total production, the large prefabricated building and public works a 54.8%, enclosures (11.4%), pipes and pipelines (8.4%) and other general products as artificial stone, street furniture, Poles, etc. involving the rest of the production (8.5%).
Often, when we speak of building prefabricated, and industrialized, we think in straight lines and more functional than aesthetic. Is the modular construction with architectural design?
The flexibility in the design that allows the precast concrete work is evident in products for outdoor use and urban and landscape management: pavements, walls, bridges and viaducts, ships and commercial buildings, urban furniture... But, even in purely resistant performance, the use of constructive solutions with precast concrete, allows the execution of works much more aesthetic and functional, for example, through the use of large lights without specifying intermediate supports, more compact pillars....
In addition, moulds and pigments to measure can be used to get elements prefabricated forms and totally innovative colors, as well as exclusive, and there is even patenting them to the client.
Manufacturers of prefabricated construction solutions have had a long work of innovation and constant improvements... what focus more lately? What are the trends?
For example, on pavements, working in non-slip, self cleaning, pieces with greater strength and durability values (slip and stains). With regard to structures, we are going towards the increase in light and resistant loads; improvement in his behavior against seismic loads. At this point I would like to highlight the excellent behavior of structures, buildings and Chilean public works carried out by Spanish prefabricadores, one of the major earthquakes that have suffered, and have served to demonstrate the suitability of these solutions manufactured with such stringent applications.
In the segment as the pipes and drainage systems between tubes and of these with the wells of registration, as well as increasing diameters and resistance are improving.
Another case is the enclosure panels: new anchoring and fixation systems being developed. And in masonry with concrete blocks, innovation involves complete construction systems, that allow to reach greater heights and improvement of the reliability.
Also in prefabricated housing is underway. Specifically in the development of multi-storey structures, key in hand, with great flexibility of final finishes such as facades, design of Windows and accessories: roller shutters, balconies, terraces...).
Also at buildings and commercial buildings, new passing through greater lights and free stage, as well as greater flexibility of use and aesthetics.
Other works are the systems via a plate and sleepers to high-speed rail; bridges of route I curved, high performance and aesthetic for public works, or achieve more efficient enclosures for architectural facades, as well as an increase in the range of finishes, new systems more easily in the Assembly and subsequent maintenance.
Slabs, the trend is the development of great songs (alveolar slabs).
The general trend is to emphasize the technical advantages of the industrialization of any production: control of the product in production (in such a way that will minimize the products not conforming), testing of quality control, automation, customization of processes and products.
In research issues the main focus takes it sustainability to take advantage of the benefits that at this point our solution offered by the same characteristics of the product (whatever its final destination in the structure). Also used are new special concrete for the manufacture of parts with self-cleaning, descontaminantes results of elements and looser pieces and greater resistance.
We cannot fail to mention that the prefabricated concrete produced by the Spanish industry are world leaders in many of their applications: public works, urban furniture, to name the most international.
Has the issue of the protection of the environment been also a change of mentality in these companies?
One of the great advantages of the precast concrete is that both in its production process and in its industrial waste or demolition of works made with these elements, it is acting with maximum protection of the environment. Our products employ natural materials and works with them made have many environmental advantages, resistance to fire, zero emission of pollutants such as its thermal inertia. In short, greater energy efficiency over the life of the product (construction, use and subsequent dismantling of the structure).
The complexity of many environmental laws in Spain has certainly motivated that changes necessary in production systems of most of the industrial sectors in our country; Fortunately these changes have been minimal in our industry because of the "environmental goodness' of our products.
How has it affected the companies in the sector the emergence of new regulations and European directives?
On technological issues, such as the characteristics of the products and their control, European norms do not have been major changes, because our industry was very evolved. Our past history, the prefabricated concrete already offered benefits above which is came requiring in other advanced countries, as well as, these European standards in many cases have resulted in a competitive advantage for our products.
Changing the third, how has evolved the construction 'in situ'?
The use of constructive solutions with precast concrete comes increasing continuously, although it is true that we are still below rates of use with respect to other surrounding countries. Netherlands has the highest percentage, more than 45%, compared to 20-22 per cent of Spain.
Homes is where most took the introduction of completely prefabricated solutions, but not in non-residential construction (commercial, public, industrial building) and public works.
Although it seems that they are all advantages, what are the weaknesses that the prefabricated construction is today?
Unfortunately, it's the same problem facing many sectors in Spain: atomization; many companies but small, disconnected, troop does not force the sector from which part. Today, corporations coexist with important technical offices, small businesses and lower income.
Another weak point is the high concentration of our suppliers and customers, as well as a policy for the award, by the latter, based on the price and not on the quality and reliability, with some Honorable exceptions and for really complex works (and even well....).
Finally, can do us this market forecast for the coming years?
It is a fact recognized by the entire sector to the level of demand in the construction, when the situation stabilizes, it will never exceed 60% of which occurred in 2007. It is why that sector must generally accept the new reality, to restructure and improve the experience of what happened, to re-emerge as a better sector that gives real solutions to the needs of society.
Our products, in general, are not susceptible to export because of its high cost of transport. Yes we could export our 'know-how' and, in fact, it has been doing; but in doing so the State should bet for favoring the industry and that is not taking place.
Labour legislation is especially 'hard' in our sector, which leads to a lack of very sharp flexibility to adapt costs to the demand. Our industrial activity requires very skilled labour, which is not easy to form. Why every factory must close is a loss for any country, especially to our own, and does not seem that this being imported to the Government. They are giving priority to less industrialized solutions, confusing, perhaps, the merely speculative activity in the cost of the ground with the activity of manufacturing of constructive solutions.
France has been able to deal with time limits for payment of a serious and constructive manner; through a national agreement with the intervention of the Government, administration, and manufacturers of building products, reaching 45 days as a final deadline, without the possibility of extension.
The works are necessary, including the construction of dwellings (not speculative), let us not forget that there are more than 2,000,000 of claimants of housing that can not pay what you ask for them, primarily by the impact of the cost of the soil.
In addition, need to improve our infrastructure and services, if we want to keep the level achieved by our country.
But, it is essential that each work performed is paid the deadlines established by law, without the possibility of 'covenants to the contrary', and require that these same periods apply to subcontractors and suppliers. Thus it may exceed, in a positive way, the current situation.
Any other solution will only involve the destruction of the industrial fabric and the loss of qualified and stable employment. So far already are lost more than 35% of employment.
The situation in which we now is the opportunity to our sector to demonstrate that the construction should be of quality, innovative and in constant contact with the needs of society, the economy and the environment. For our sector this is an advantage compared to other solutions, because we have been offering the constructive solution which responds comprehensively to these needs: the industrialized construction.
