2008 was the year when many construction companies started
being negatively impacted by the decline of the real estate market. But OCTAGON kept working on important
projects in terms of size and value. One of these projects is the residential
complex Maresal Averescu 159, located in Bucharest on the boulevard with the
same name. OCTAGON built diaphragm walls, bored piles and the concrete
structure of the three buildings within the complex. Watch the video below to see images from
various construction stages:
OCTAGON CONTRACTING & ENGINEERING is a company set up in 2005, which has managed over the 8 years of activity to consolidate its position in the geotechnical and civil constructions field, becoming one of the main players on the Romanian market.
Showing posts with label bored piles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bored piles. Show all posts
Friday, July 18, 2014
Monday, July 14, 2014
OCTAGON contractor within four infrastructure projects although the sector dropped by 28% in the first five months
Lacking consistent public investments the road infrastructure, a sector which should support the entire economy, dropped by 27.7% in the first five months of this year, Ziarul Financiar writes, reporting the data of the National Statistics Institute (INS).
The steep decline registered by the construction
works was generated by lower investments in public projects. Thus, investments
reached 7.5 billion lei (1.7 billion euro) in the first five months, a 26%
decline on the same period of last year, according to the information displayed
on the Finance Ministry website. Investments accounted for 1.1% of the GDP
between January and May.
“The
elections have not influenced the road infrastructure sector positively and
this is due to the fact that we have not reached political stability yet.
During the elections a great amount of construction investment funds are
redirected, through budget amendments towards public sectors which could bring
votes, such as pensions, to influence the electorate.”, said Alexandros Ignatiadis, co-founder and shareholder of OCTAGONCONTRACTING & ENGINEERING, in an interview broadcast by ZF Live.
Despite the sector decline, OCTAGON contracted works on three
infrastructure projects this year.
The
newest infrastructure project of the company is “The underground passage from
Piata Presei Libere” (Bucharest). The company is performing here geotechnical
works: diaphragm walls D 9,950 sqm, thickness 80 cm.
Piata Presei Libere 2 |
The company is also working on the
rehabilitation of the railway Brasov- Simeria, section 2 Coslariu- Sighisoara,
sector Micasasa- Coslariu, the works consisting
in the execution of bored piles D 1,000,anchorages, stone columns and sheet
pile installation, a project within which Aktor is general contractor.
OCTAGON is also executing bored piles for
sections A, D and E, sector 2- Lugoj- Deva Highway, for the contractor Salini
Impregilo.
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
The Constructions Agenda: Geotechnical construction market worth around 93 million euro in 2013
Local
geotechnical construction and foundation market, estimated at 93 million euro,
will most probably maintain this year at the 2013 level, according to opinions
of the managers in the area. Significantly dependent on the construction sector,
the geotechnical works market has positive growth perspectives, but lack of
liquidity and excessive fiscal requirements on the market, investors’ low
confidence in market economy are still obstacles against sustainable resumption
of the entire sector’s activity. Another market characteristic at the beginning
of 2014 is the slowdown of public investments, also confirmed by the National
Statistics Institute (INS), which reported for the first quarter of the year, a
27.3% decline of engineering construction sector. There are 25 specialized
companies at national level, Bauer, Octagon, Soletanche Bachy, Terratest
Geotehnic, Zublin Romania and Edrasis Construct S.R.L., being among the
leaders.
According to
Alexandros Ignatiadis, co- founder and shareholder of Octagon Contracting &Engineering- one of the main special foundation and geotechnical construction
companies in Romania, with a 19.6 million euro turnover in 2013- this year will
not be different from the previous.
“The first
trimester brought a 3% contraction of the construction sector, while the GDP
went up by 3.8%, therefore this sector was not a growth engine for the economy.
The private sector was revived by the construction of two malls in Bucharest
and of several factories in the country, but these investments have not
generated profit yet. These results
combined with the activity slowdown in the public sector have led to the -3%
contribution of the construction sector to the GDP “, said Octagon
manager. At the same time the incoming
elections have not influenced positively the construction sector either, due to
political instability. “During elections a great part of investment funds is
redirected, through budget amendment, towards public sectors which can bring
votes, such as social protection, to influence the electorate.” explained Alexandros
Ignatiadis.
Positive estimates for foundation
subcontractors
The 25
companies specialized in geotechnical construction execution, foundations,
bored piles and drilling, which perform works on projects located countrywide,
reported a 93 million euro turnover for 2013, according to most recent data
published on the website of the Ministry of Public Finances. The results show a
4.4% growth against 2012, when the companies reported a total turnover worth
88.7 million euro. Business growth is followed by an 11.4% decline in 2012, on
2011.
In terms of
value, geotechnical construction market ranks at the 2010 level. In 2014, the
sector evolution will keep being influenced by the financing of the
infrastructure and energy sectors works, while the 2015 operations will
represent the results of current political decisions. Failure to cash receivables from the state,
uncertainty related to private sector financing, low value of public
investments in infrastructure and continuous change of the economic stimulation
policies are among the difficulties which will be present on the market this
year. Another fundamental issue is disloyal competition generated by certain
companies which disrespect employment laws, maintaining low quality standards.
New contract awarding rules have not
solved market issues
The new
contract awarding rules, voted by the European Parliament at the beginning of
this year bring, according to constructors, a plus of security and transparency
in public works legislation, but they do not simplify it.
“The two
directives in force will be replaced by three directives and the number of
legislative provision pages will almost double. We have to mention, though, the
fact that the expertise and qualification of the personnel will be used as
assessment factors when the level of performance significantly depends on the
quality of the personnel involved in the execution of the public acquisitions
contract. At the same time many controversial and contradictory aspects remain
unclear, which leads us to believe that this new rules package reaches its
purpose only partially.” explained ing. Carlos Vasquez, Country Manager al
Terratest Geotehnic.
The new
rules do not solve the prioritization issue or the issues related to the lowest
price criteria. “This can significantly affect the quality of delivered
projects. More detailed and deep changes regarding this aspect are necessary.”
said Octagon shareholder.
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