In March 21, took place the 14th edition of the “Polish Infrastructure and Construction” at the Sheraton Grand Warsaw hotel. During four discussion panels and three presentations, the invited experts discussed the most important issues concerning the construction, railway, transport and infrastructure sectors. The culmination of the events was a ceremonial gala during which “Diamonds of Infrastructure and Construction” were awarded to the most outstanding entities in the industry. The conference is under the honorary patronage of the Ministry of Infrastructure, the Ministry of Climate and Environment and the Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy.
The event was inaugurated by a special guest – dr hab. Waldemar Rogowski – Chief Analyst, BIK Group, who discussed issues related to the housing loan market and its impact on the housing market. He also presented current situation in the mortgage market, pointing out trends and forecasts regarding their availability and cost.
After the speech, we smoothly moved on to the first discussion panel named “Public Procurement”, moderated by Anna Prigan, Attorney-at-law, Partner, Wardyński & Partners. The dicussion participation inluded: Anna Łopaciuk, Director of the Infrastructure, Transport and Logistics Programme, Manager in the Strategic Relations Department, Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego, Hubert Nowak, President, Public Procurement Office, Jan Styliński, President of the Management Board, Polish Association of Construction Employers, Przemysław Szulfer, Director of Treasury and Administration, Warbud, Bartosz Tokarski, Leader of Financial Technology, Deputy Director of the Strategic Clients Insurance Office, EIB.
Experts have commented on the amendment of public law, commenting on the amendments to the Polish construction industry. According to the speakers, in order to implement public investments, it is necessary to meet the best challenges on the market. In this context, the speakers described the valorization of contractors in the face of price increases and the conditions for the completion of started projects so that building companies wouldn’t have to leave the construction site. The speakers unanimously emphasized that effective cooperation between the public and private sectors in the form of PPP is a tool for raising funds for the development of Polish infrastructure. In addition, in order to use this function fully, it is necessary to support the management of infrastructure investments.
After a short networking break, the presentation named “Model, costs and time – the benefits of combining data in the 5D BIM methodology” was presented by Ewa Giniewska – Business Development Executive MTWO, SoftwareOne. In her speech, she presented practical examples of using this methodology in construction projects, showing the benefits of its use, such as minimizing the risk of errors and delays, as well as reducing costs. In addition, she emphasized the importance of the use of appropriate software and the ability to work with data for the effective use of this methodology.
After Ewa Giniewska’s speech, it was time for the second discussion panel entitled “Road infrastructure”, moderated by dr hab. Eng. Janusz Rymsza, prof. IBDiM, Deputy Director for Research and Management Systems. The discussion was attended by: Jakub Saloni, CEO, Menard, Kamil Simka, Vice-President of the Management Board, Director of the North Region, Eurovia Polska, Michał Ziajowski, Member of the Management Board, Managing Director of LSO, Aebi Schmidt, Tomasz Żuchowski, acting as General Director of National Roads and Motorways.
The discussion mainly concerned the possibility of avoiding collapse in the construction industry, related to the shortage of funds and qualified employees. During the discussion, the issue of rising construction costs, including the cost of materials and high salaries of construction industry employees, was also raised. This panel allowed to identify problems and opportunities related to the future of Polish infrastructural construction. The discussion showed that there are difficulties in the construction industry, but also development opportunities that should be used in a responsible and sustainable way.
After the lunch break, it was time for the third panel: “Railway infrastructure and transport”. The moderator of the discussion, Maciej Ziomek, CFA, EY Polska, Strategy and Transactions, Advisory Leader in the Transport and Infrastructure Sectors, Associate Partner, invited panellists, among whom were: PhD Eng. Jerzy Lejk, President of the Management Board, Metro Warszawskie, Dr. Jakub Majewski, President of the Management Board, “Pro Kolej” Foundation, Artur Martyniuk, President of the Management Board, General Director, Polregio, Jarosław Oniszczuk, Member of the Management Board, PKP Intercity, Marcin Trela, Vice President, Office of Rail Transport.
During the panel discussion, the Kolej Plus program and its impact on the development of railways were discussed, as well as whether the investments will increase the comfort of travel for passengers and help in the fight against transport exclusion. The needs and ways of investments in railways, financing and construction of new tractions, investments in rolling stock and maintenance points were also discussed. Solutions supporting the digital transformation of railways were also an important topic. Experts tried to answer the question of how new technologies can contribute to the development of an integrated and secure infrastructure. The panel was concluded with a discussion on how to encourage people to use rail and metro.
After a short networking break, the presentation named “Why making decisions based on data is the way to success (using the advantage of data)” was presented Remigiusz Pyszka – Country Leader MTWO, SoftwareOne. In his speech, he emphasized the importance of using data in making business decisions. He pointed out that today’s competitive advantage lies in the ability to use data and their proper interpretation. He also drew attention to the essence of cybersecurity in the context of data storage and use and the importance of proper data management.
The fourth and last panel discussion of the day named “Green construction” was moderated by Aleksandra Przywózka, Architect and Project Manager at APA Wojciechowski Architekci, PhD student at the Faculty of Architecture of the Warsaw University of Technology. The experts of the last panel were: Dr. Eng. Andrzej Maciej Czapczuk, Vice President of the Management Board and General Director of F.B.I. TASBUD, President of the Management Board of TASBUD SVERIGE AB, Maciej Kopański, Investment Director, Baltcap, Łukasz Marcinkiewicz, General Director of LHE and Lafarge Infrastructure Solutions, Artur Michalski, Vice-President of the Management Board, National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management, Dr inż. Artur Pollak, President of the Management Board, APA Group.
Experts discussed the benefits of transforming the construction sector towards a circular economy. Increasing energy efficiency and the use of RES are key requirements for achieving environmental goals. The subject of changes on the market of building materials in connection with the requirements of decarbonization and the goals that manufacturers of building materials set for themselves in the context of environmental protection were also discussed.
Infrastructure and Construction Diamonds
After the substantive part of the Polish Infrastructure and Construction conference, it was time for the evening gala, which was officially opened by Beata Radomska – CEO, Executive Club. and Prof. dr hab. Michał Kleiber – Chairman of the Executive Club Council, Chairman of the Polish Committee for UNESCO, Knight of the Order of the White Eagle.
The culminating point of the Gala was the awarding of statuettes in 9 Competition Categories, which honored the best enterprises as well as outstanding managers and business leaders. In addition, first special prize was awarded: A socially responsible company.
The winners of the competition were:
REALIZATION OF THE YEAR
● Cubature construction:
Winner: Warbud
Honorable mention: Unibep
● Road construction:
Winner: Strabag
Honorable mention: Eurovia
TECHNICAL ADVISOR OF THE YEAR:
Sweco Poland
CONSTRUCTION CHEMISTRY LEADER:
Sika Poland
GREEN BUILDING LEADER:
Winner: Lafarge
Honorable Mention: ONDE
ADVISOR OF THE YEAR:
Wardyński & Partners Law Firm
LEADER OF FINANCIAL SERVICES FOR CONSTRUCTION:
● Banking sector
Winner: Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego
Honorable Mention: European Investment Bank
● Insurance Sector
Uniq
RAILWAY COMPANY OF THE YEAR:
Warsaw Metro
CONSTRUCTION COMPANY OF THE YEAR:
Mirbud
PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR:
● Personality of the Year – Railway Sector
Artur Martyniuk, President of the Management Board of Polregio S.A.
● Personality of the Year – Construction Sector
Nicolas Depret, President of the Management Board of Eurovia and Warbud
SPECIAL AWARD: A socially responsible company
PKP Intercity
Author: Anastazja Lach, Editor-in-Chief of Executive Magazine
Last Updated on 29 June 2023 by Janusz Gil