INFOTÉR CONTECH 2025: the KÉSZ Csoport also shared its experiences at the prestigious conference

The two-day event, which took place at the Anna Grand Hotel in Balatonfüred on 16-17 October, featured a series of presentations and roundtable discussions to find answers to current issues in all areas of the construction industry. In addition to the main trends in building construction and civil engineering, the main challenges in architecture, materials, sustainability, water management, BIM, vocational training and AI were discussed.

Several managers and experts from KÉSZ Csoport attended the conference to share their experiences with other representatives of the profession. The importance the company attached to the event was also demonstrated by the presence of the 43-year-old group's founder and owner. Mihály Varga held a reception where attendees had the opportunity to engage in brief personal conversations and exchange experiences.

Regional market entry of construction companies - from design to construction, from building materials production to solution delivery

In this roundtable discussion, Róbert Barócsi, Sales and Strategy Director of KÉSZ Csoport also shared his experiences. As he said, the company's turning point was the growing presence of foreign investors in the late 1990s, with whom it was possible to develop partnerships that opened the door to involvement in other countries. Today, KÉSZ Csoport has had an active general contracting presence in Ukraine, Romania and Serbia for 15-25 years, in addition to Hungary. However, the Sales and Strategy Director underlined:

„Over the past five years, the focus has shifted from the group's original activity of making steel structures exportable to the market, and then we have expanded the facade elements to include cladding systems with higher aesthetic requirements. We have also sought to penetrate foreign markets such as Europe, the UAE and the US market with higher quality, more complex design services.”

According to Róbert Barócsi, the company's competitiveness lies in the fact that the professional knowledge, technology, digital visual designs and quality control that KÉSZ Csoport has been able to offer over the last 20-25 years are important criteria for customers when choosing a supplier.

What will make the BIM ecosystem work?

There is no question that the KÉSZ Csoport is at the forefront of BIM technology. An active user of modelling within the group is the bim.GROUP.

Ballay Zsolt, the head of the company, in a panel discussion on the shortcomings of the area, also expressed several problems for which they themselves are looking for solutions. As an example, he cited the difficult situation for designers in terms of the need to include everything in BIM designs - for which they are trying to use innovative programmed methods.

KÉSZ Csoport sees training as a key factor of competitiveness and has been consciously addressing its training activities since 2017. <Zsuzsanna Naderi, Managing Director of Edupark Nonprofit Kft. in Szeged and head of the Construction Industry Skills Council, shared important ideas in her presentation.  

„Europe's and Hungary's competitiveness and the successful implementation of the green and digital transition require human capital with the right knowledge and skills. Four competences for active participation in society and the economy can be identified and should be given significant attention: critical thinking, creativity, communication and collaboration. These are the skills that enable us to make the right decisions and deal with challenges in our lives and at work. We cannot „teach” these competences in the form of „subjects”, but primarily by developing our teaching methods”, the leader stressed. According to him, such methodological tools include project-based teaching, assessment-evaluation-feedback, student portfolios.

Generational differences and the integration of young people in the construction industry

Related to this topic was the roundtable discussion on Students and students in the construction industry, which undoubtedly provided interesting and useful insights into the opportunities for cooperation between young and older generations.

Balázs Gyenese, HR Director of KÉSZ Group stressed the importance of cooperation and openness from both sides in this relationship. „From the students” point of view, it is important to understand the difference between generations, but management leadership is also essential. In other words, how experienced professionals can mentor them, coach them, show them by example, teach them humility. Intergenerational communication and cooperation can help young people to feel at home in the corporate culture" - the HR Director summarised his experience.

Balázs Gyenese also highlighted diversity, which he believes is a key factor that leaders can achieve through impulsiveness. He is convinced that by combining the strengths of individuals, diversity can make work more effective and efficient.