The quickly-mounted buildings is a heritage of 20th century which allows the foreign and national entrepreneurs to economize time required for materialization of the idea concerning construction of the building for business-purposes. It is not surprising that this technology is called the technology that conquered time. David Brodetsky, Astron Buildings S.A. Company General Director tells us about it. His company has become a leader at the market of quickly-mounted constructions.

Could you tell us about the Astron Buildings S.A. Company history and about its activity profile.

D.B.: Company entered the quickly-mounted constructions market by chance. In the midst of 60s of the twentieth century the company appeared in Europe with a view to build its plant. Taking into account that the construction process of the productive buildings was long-lasting the management of the company made a decision to import the quickly-mounted metallic constructions from USA to accelerate starting production. This step did not only accelerate the term of the objects put into service but it also determined the future of the company. In 1965 Astron entered the market of quickly-mounted buildings starting to sell the constructions manufactured in the USA. Operative increase of the volumes of sales in Europe forced the management of the company to start manufacturing the quickly-mounted buildings at the plant in Luxemburg. Nowadays Astron productive facilities are situated in Luxemburg, Check, and Hungary. In 2008 we plan to start the production facilities in Russia aiming at improving our services for our clients in Russia, Ukraine, and other CIS countries.

How has the company succeeded in maintaining the leader positions for 40 years at the market of designing and manufacturing complete buildings made of light metal constructions?

D.B.: Speed and quality are the main factors which help the company to keep its leading positions at the market in Europe. The fast rate of the buildings construction makes the investors start up their business more quickly. The quality of quickly-mounted structures is one on the most important factors. That is where we concentrate our attention while developing the building especially at the stage of choosing the components and raw materials. The control is not becoming lighter at the stage of the building manufacturing too. Our success has become the result of reliability of our suppliers. That is why we choose them thoroughly. What is of the most importance is that our partners share our values. This allows us work like a unified team aimed at maximum facilitation of the building construction for the final customer.

Could you tell us about key integral parts of the Astron technology, its efficiency, aesthetics, and functionality?

D.B.: There are two key distinctions which distinguish our production from that of our competitors. Firstly in spite of the fact that each building is being developed in accordance with final customer’s requirements the major details of building structure and assembling process are standardized. This guarantees high quality proved and developed during the decades. At the same time all the processes from designing to manufacturing are computerized and united into one general system which allows to avoid mistakes and irregularities in the course of the structure assembling. Secondly, all the components of the building are being developed, manufactured and delivered into system by united team of Astron Company. This guarantees lack of deficient components while being delivered to the construction site. We offer different variants of roof and wall lining in our systems that provide an attractive exterior of the building and the highest precision in engineering of all blocks at the stage of the project documentation developing which allows providing the building with all required elements such as the complete set of fittings, sealants, etc.

The technology is efficient and top-quality. In what way are these integral parts reflected by the price of your production?

D.B. The buildings mounted of the quickly-mounted structures are common goods to be sold. Generally speaking, the cheaper are the buildings the lower is their quality. And wise verse, the quality buildings are more expensive. The major principle while positioning our company at the market is concentration on providing good quality at a reasonable price. We are certain that price is not designative for our clients but the value of the production. The major value is dispatch delivery. The investors appreciate the opportunity to start their business as quickly as possible. The second key factor is quality. The high quality of the building guarantees that it will stand long and payback invested money. In such way the reliability of long-term investments is secured. We are certain that the building becomes the major investment object for each company (sometimes it even becomes a large separate investment in the life of investors) and the owners are to be proud of their investments. We have sold more than 40 000 buildings since 60s and many of our clients came to us again and again to buy the new buildings because they were satisfied with the quality of their first building of Astron manufacture.

Not only quality of production but also professionalism of your partners is of great importance for your company. Could you please to tell us how your cooperation with “Karkas” company has begun?

D.B.: The cooperation of Astron Company with “Karkas” engineering and construction Company which then had only started its commercial way began in 2000.

The partnership appeared to be so effective that it became the precedent in the partner practice of Astron Buildings: in 2004 the first in the history of the company exclusive dealer contract was signed which stated that “Karkas” company obtained certain exclusive rights within the territory of Ukraine. The new starting point in the development of the “Karkas” company allowed its entering into the “’Club of 100 000” containing the partners of Astron which had already constructed 100 thousand m2 of buildings. For the moment of entering the Club “Karkas” company had constructed more than 30 objects of 130 m2 total areas. This company was many times awarded by Astron Company. In 2004 and 2006 “Karkas” company reached the highest indices among the European Astron dealers. In 2007 the company entered the “Club of 250 000” joining Astron partners which had already constructed 250 thousand m2.

How can you appreciate your partnership with “Karkas” company?

D.B.: “Karkas” is a reliable and quality partner. It shares Astron Buildings philosophy concerning providing the investor with high values. “Karkas” company has constructed 318 thousand m2 for 7 working years and it has become the most rapidly growing partner in the history of our business. The main reasons for such streamline growth have become the following: professional team of specialists, availability of the regional representatives all over Ukraine. These makes possible for the company to be closer to the client and provide him with the highest quality of service.

Could you evaluate the future prosperities of the business-tandem Astron-Karkas in developing the quickly growing market of pre-fabricated structures?

D.V.: Ukraine is a prospective and rapidly developing country. These criteria form the investment attractiveness of the country. This indicates that in the nearest future Ukraine will obtain large investments. Having a powerful chain of the regional representatives “Karkas” is ready for such progress and Astron is capable to increase its support of “Karkas” company at the expense of delivery of structures from the plant under construction in Russia which will be put into service at the end of 2008. This will accelerate delivery terms which are not very long even now. “Karkas” company in its turn is working on improving its service level and it has already offered to its clients a complete set of services in construction of the buildings of the commercial purposes. That is why I would like to congratulate the team of “Karkas” company and personally company’s Director Roman Koziy with 7 years of partnership with “Astron” company. We are sure that our profitable cooperation will last for many years.