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CZECH BUILDING INDUSTRY

Supplement of:Czech Business and Trade 03-04/2008

C Z E C H B U I L D I N G I N D U S T R Y

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MK ČR E 6379

This magazine is published as a supplement to the economic bi-monthly issued in English (Czech Business and Trade), German (Wirtschaft und Handel inder Tschechischen Republik), French (Industrie et commerce tchèques), Spanish (Empresas y negocios en la República Checa), and Russian (óe¯cÍaflÚop„o‚Îfl Ë Ôe‰ÔËÌËÏaÚeθcÚ‚o).

Managing Editor: Jakub HavelEditor: Naďa VávrováGraphic Design: Helena Dvořáková

Address: PP Agency s.r.o., Myslíkova 25, 110 00 Praha 1, Czech RepublicPhone: +420 221 406 623, 221 406 626, Fax: +420 224 930 016E-mail: journal@ppagency.czwww.ppagency.cz, www.mpo.cz/cbt

Deadline: 24/01/2008

Attitudes expressed by the authors of articles in this magazine are not necessarily consistent with the viewpoint of the Publisher.

PP Agency Company with the ISO 9001 certified quality management system for publishing services

CONTENTS:

4 Editorial

ANALYSIS4 Building Industry - Pillar of Czech Economy 5 Building Materials Production is Growing

EDUCATION8 Quality University Education – Source of Effectiveness in Construction

WE ARE INTRODUCING10 VCES – a Prominent Czech Construction Firm

ENTERPRISE12 Largest Exporter of Building Activites

CZECH TOP14 Overview of 20th Century Czech Architecture 16 Prize for Professionality and Beauty18 Most Beautiful Wooden House of the Year 200720 KMB SENDWIX – Clever Masonry22 UNISTAV’s Building Works Range from an Aqua Park in Prague to a Factory in Russia

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT24 New Technologies and Trends

SURVEY26 Poll of Successful Companies Operating in the Building Industry

INFORMATION30 Fairs and Exhibitions in the Building Industry Sector in 200830 Important Contacts

PRESENTATION OF COMPANIES:

2 OHL ŽS, a.s.7 Xella CZ, s.r.o.9 CHEMOTEX Děčín a.s.11 VCES a.s.13 BETONSTAV TEPLICE a.s.17 Česká inženýrská a.s.19 Okna-Doležal, spol. s r.o.21 ŽPSV a.s.23 NAVARA Novosedly a.s.25 Institut pro testování a certifikaci, a.s.29 KERAMOST, a.s.29 EKOPANELY CZ s.r.o.31 Wienerberger cihlářský průmysl, a. s.32 Veletrhy Brno, a.s.

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VCES – a Prominent Czech Construction Firm

UNISTAV’s Building Works Range from anAqua Park in Prague to a Factory in Russia

Overview of 20th Century Czech Architecture

A N A LY S I S

Building Industry – Pillar of CzechEconomy

Jan Skřivánek, Ministry of Industry and Trade, e-mail: skrivanek@mpo.cz, www.mpo.cz

As in most economically developed countries, the buildingindustry in the Czech Republic ranks among the mostimportant industrial sectors. The Czech construction industryat the present time relies mainly on its own production andeconomic potential. It has successfully adopted the know-how of its foreign partners and in terms of quantity andorganisation has created a structure which meets marketdemand. Thus, the building industry has reached - or comeclose to - the level of construction in the European Unionmember states. Worthy of note is also its multiplicationeffect in influencing demand for the products of otherbranches and services related to the maintenance of buildingworks.

Market and ProductionThe production structure has been permanently dominated byworks in the Czech Republic and by new construction. Sincethe second half of the 1990s the strongest line of constructionhas been represented by engineering projects, mainly thanks tostate contracts for transport infrastructure. Other prominententities in the financing of building investments were foreigninvestors. On the other hand, housing construction, whichusually has a leading position in west European countries,recorded lower levels.

In the last year, building production did not show the samedynamics as in previous years. In the first three quarters of2007 the volume of construction work was worth EUR 8.8billion. A distinctly predominant part continues to be formedby works in the Czech Republic, which account for 98%.A major part of these works was new capital construction,reconst ruct ion and modern isat ion, which made upapproximately 75%.

The development of production structure by the size ofenterprises reflects the changes that have occurred in theCzech economy. Non-financial Czech-controlled privateentities participated in the production with a dominantsegment of over 80%.

Works on buildings and structures accounted for just under60% and the share of civil engineering infrastructure wasabout 40%. The share of buildings and structures in newconstruction increased by 9%, while civil infrastructure worksgrew only by 1.4%.

Economic ResultsThe share of profitable firms compared to loss-making onescontinues to rise. The development of enterprise economicscan be termed favourable, because the share of profitablecompanies has increased while the share of loss-making ones

2008Dear Readers,

You have received another specialised supplement

of the Czech Business and Trade magazine. The main

topic we are surveying is the Czech building industry,

which has been experiencing a boom in the last few

years, in housing projects as well as the construction

of buildings and industrial facilities.

The prestigious competition „The Construction of the

Year“, in which the best construction works are

awarded every year, is an important impulse for Czech

construction companies to build in the best quality.

And that Czech companies know how to build is

documented for example by their activities abroad,

successes in exports are reported by TCHAS, UNISTAV

or Metrostav firms, to mention just a few. The above

listed companies have participated in the construction

of tunnels in Iceland, a viaduct in Croatia, or a unique

project of the construction of a factory in Russia.

The construction industry also includes the sector

concerned with the production of building materials,

which is scoring success in connection with increasing

construction activities. It is concentrated in large

companies, which are better able to face the

competition in the European market. Excellent

properties of the materials constitute one of the

prerequisites of a quality construction. The best results

of the Czech building industry are also due to applied

research, the scope of which is far from exhausted,

but its present outcome already makes a valuable

contribution to the further development of the whole

building industry.

The building materials industry in theCzech Republic has a long tradition andquite a high level. The producers ofbui ld ings mater ia ls are the mainsuppliers of materials and productsprimarily for the Czech building industry.They also provide raw materials for otherindustrial and power production sectorssuch as the glass and foundry industries,desulphurisation of power plants, andlime and limestone for the chemical andpaper industries. A number of secondaryraw materials and waste such as powerplant fly ash, wood sawdust, used tyresand waste oil, sorted building waste, etc.are used in technological processes. Inthe per iod s ince the Czech

Republic’s accession to the EU thebuilding materials production has beenfollowing the needs of construction and,in tune with the development in buildingproduction, recorded a very favourabledevelopment especially in the years2005, 2006, and 2007.

International CompaniesPredominateBui ld ing mater ia l s product ion i sconcentrated in large internationalcompanies, which have the ability toface competition on the Europeanmarket. The highest increases wererecorded by the manufacture ofrefractory materials (more than 50.6%

rise) and the manufacture of articles ofconcrete, plaster, lime, and cement(more than19.4% rise).

This rising tendency is due to the goodraw material base for the manufactureof building materials in the CzechRepublic, and mainly to the wide rangeof possibilities for their utilsation in theconstruction of buildings and civilengineering works.

The raw material base for the buildingmaterials industry in the Czech Republicis rich and distributed all over thecountry’s territory. Manufacturing plantsare located close to the extraction sitesbecause the transport of raw materials,large in volume and weight, is costly.

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C Z E C H B U I L D I N G I N D U S T R Y

has fa l l en , economic resu l t peremployee has risen by almost 30%,profitability is going up and wagecosts are declining, labour productivityby va lue added i s i nc reas ingsignificantly and, last but not least,i nven to ry tu r nove r t ime hasshortened.

The h ighest prof i t y ie lds wereachieved by companies focused on non-housing non-production buildings and

civil engineering infrastructure. On theother hand, the highest return on owncapi ta l was ga ined by hous ingconstruction firms. Enterprises engagedin civil infrastructure constructionattained the highest value-addedproduct iv i ty, thus leav ing thecompanies spec ia l i sed in otheroperations far behind. The share offoreign-controlled firms accounts forabout 18% of the output.

Prospects and DevelopmentTrendsThe future of the Czech economy willbe influenced by the fact that it willdevelop as an integrated part of theEuropean Union. Positive aspects willundoubtedly include the possibility ofaccess to the wide European market, aneasier adoption of new technologiesand know-how, while negative sideswill be a slump in domestic productionor the necessity to respect variouslimitations and budget restrictions.

Demand for bu i ld ing works i senormous in the Czech Republic andsurpasses several times over not onlythe capacities of their suppliers, butespec ia l l y the prov is ion of the i rfinancing. As regards the differentsegments, the crucial lines appear to bethe deve lopment of t ranspor tinfrastructure, housing construction,and environmental projects. Financingwill be significantly aided by resourcesfrom the Structural Funds of theEuropean Union and participation ofthe private sector in PPP (Private PublicPartnership) projects.

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Building Materials Production is Growing

Pavel Malinský, Ministry of Industry and Trade, e-mail: malinsky@mpo.czPh

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Modern Production TechnologyManufacturing plants of the buildingmaterials industry are mostly equippedwith modern technological l inesallowing production without directparticipation of the human factor. Thepresent phase of development ischaracterised mainly by the quicklychanging requirements of customers,their growing demands (not only on thepart of foreign investors), as well asstructural changes in the area of buildingproduction which necessitate a quick andflexible response, a factor thatsignificantly increases the need formarketing management. Another featureis the fast development of technologies,in the area of the production of buildingmaterials as well as construction.

The Most Successful Companies Besides large multinationals, such asLasselsberger, a.s., Plzeň, WienerbergerBAUSTOFFINDUSTRIE GmbH, BRAMACa.s., the most successful producers ofbuilding materials in 2006 and 2007were the following companies:

Foreign Trade in BuildingProductsMost producers of building materials arenow ful ly competit ive in foreignmarkets, and have good prospects offurther intensification of their activitiesin the coming per iod. Importantindicators are the relatively high sharesof exports in overall production (approx.25%), imports (approx. 22.5%), anda permanent foreign trade surplus.

The Czech Republic’s largest tradepartner, in both exports and imports, isGermany. Other major trade partnersare Slovakia, Poland, and Austria. In

respect of the unfavourable ratio oftransport costs to the final price ofproducts, the importance of thecountries neighbouring the CzechRepublic is increasing. The export sharesdocument the high standard of thissegment, be it aggregates, cement,ceramic products, prefabricated articlesand parts of concrete, bricks, or sand.Products also suitable for exports aregypsum plasterboard, dry plaster mixes,and new progressive products of theconstruction chemical industry (fillers,adhesives). Foreign trade in buildingmaterials products is conducted within

the EU countries at valid Europeanprices.

Main Task of IndustrialProductionAlthough the technical level especiallyof large producers of building materialsis already close or equal to the Europeanstandard, investment is still needed inthe manufacturing base, machinery andtechnologies, as well as research anddevelopment.

Materials and their combinations giveshape to aesthetic expression andensure the structural strength and life ofall buildings and structures. In the longterm, new knowledge and a better useof building materials can significantlyreduce the impact of constructionactivity on everyday life.

This is why the trend on which buildingmaterials research and development isconcentrated at the moment is the useof combined and new mater ia ls(improved qualities-nanotechnologies),fully recyclable and easily applicable inconstructions, and fulfilling the aestheticfunct ion. Emphasis i s p laced onenvironmental aspects, a longer servicelife of structures, and energy saving.

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In million EUR

CPA nomenclature Exports Imports Balance

Code Name 2005 2006 1-10/07 2005 2006 1-10/07 2005 2006 1-10/07

141 Building stone 7.1 8.1 7.1 11.3 13.7 16.1 -4.2 -5.6 - 9

142 Sand and clay 65.9 67.8 53.2 21.1 26.1 24.8 44.8 41.7 28.4

2626 Refractory ceramic goods 118.7 139.1 136.3 88.9 110.0 110.1 29.8 29.1 26.2

263 Ceramic tiles and flags 45.3 93.7 85.2 66.1 67.3 75.8 -20.8 26.4 9.4

264 Bricks, tiles, and similar

products for construction 22.6 22.5 28.5 23.5 26.1 39.8 -0.9 -3.6 -11.3

265 Cement, lime, and plaster 31.8 30.1 37.4 73.8 77.1 74.5 -42.0 -47.0 -37.1

266 Articles of concrete,

plaster, and cement 144.1 170.2 161 56.3 63.1 72.9 87.8 107.1 88.1

267 Natural ornamental

and building stone 17.6 19.8 18.6 18.4 27.3 22.5 -0.8 -7.5 -3.9

268 Other non-metallic

mineral products 167.0 197.2 197.8 169.2 192.5 198.7 -2.2 4.7 - 0.9

Total 620.1 748.5 725.1 528.6 603.2 635.2 91.5 145.3 89.9

CPA – Classification of Products by ActivitySource: Czech Statistical Office

Serial Company Sales in EUR Sales No. thousand (2006) profitability %

1 ZAPA beton a.s. 103 544 13.42 České a moravské obalovny, s.r.o. 63 023.5 7.43 SAINT-GOBAIN ORSIL s.r.o. 59 196.8 5.04 Rigips, s.r.o. 41 548.8 7.85 ŽPSV a.s. 41 318.6 11.26 KÁMEN Zbraslav, spol. s r.o. 33 908.4 11.87 BEST, a.s. 32 050.8 18.58 ILBAU spol. s r.o. 28 334.5 10.09 Prefa Brno a.s. 27 259.5 4.410 PREFA-BETON Cheb, spol. s r.o. 23 612.6 0.211 BETA Olomouc a.s. 17 455.7 6.412 Lias Vintířov, k.s. 16 795.7 9.513 CIDEM Hranice, a.s. 13 007.8 40.014 BETONBAU, s.r.o. 12 772.9 6.015 B & BC, a.s. 12 713.8 4.9

Source: ÚRS Praha

Quality University Education – Source of Effectiveness in Construction

Milan Huml, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Czech Technical University Prague, e-mail: huml@fsv.cvut.cz, www.fsv.cvut.cz

E D U C AT I O N

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The Faculty of Civil Engineering of theCzech Technical University (CTU) inPrague provides the building industrywith a sufficient number of qualitygraduates in specialisations taughtaccording to the current principles ofstructured studies, which were adoptedon the basis of recommendations of theBologna Declaration. The system ofhigher education makes it possible tocomplete the bachelor level after 4 yearsof study, in which the graduates aretrained to tackle standard problems.After another year and a half of studyfor a master’s degree, graduates gain thecompetence to cope even with complexconceptual and technological tasks ofthe building profession.

Studies and CareersThe current courses of Civil Engineeringstudies are formed by the branches of:building structures, structural andtransportation engineering, watermanagement and water structures,environmental engineering, manage-ment and economics, informationsystems in the building industry, materialengineering, building and environment,risks in construction, and fire safety ofbuildings. Besides the civil engineeringseries, the faculty also runs courses inthe Architecture and Bui ld ingEngineering programme. It equipsarchitectural designers with knowledgeof the potential of available architecturaland structural elements. The result isprojects original in ideas and applicableas well.

Each year about 550 people graduatefrom the faculty and embark on theircareers in architecture and designstudios and in construction firms, oftenrising to high-level positions aftergaining the necessary pract ica lexperience. They can also take jobs inpublic administration, and thanks to thefaculty’s emphasis on a more universalpersonal profile, have the competence towork well also in related technicalbranches.

Student Competitions Links between studies and industry aresupported by student competitions heldby medium-sized and large constructionfirms. Last year, for example, it was"CEMBRIT 2007", which was organisedby the company Cembrit CZ a.s. incooperation with the Department ofBuilding Structures of the Faculty of CivilEngineering at the CTU in Prague. Thecompetit ion was focused on thepreparation of designs for housingconstruction and public and industrialbui ld ings making correct use ofstructures from fibre cement materialsmanufactured by Cembrit CZ a.s. Twentythree students entered the competitionwith their one- and two-semesterprojects. The evaluation criteria for thecompeting designs were mainly correctuse of fibre cement products, renderingof detail, and innovative solution of thecompetition design. An expert jury

selected in two rounds four finalists ofthe competition, who received prizesduring a ceremony at the Cembrit CZ,a.s. headquarters in the town of Beroun.

Competition for Low-EnergyHousesThe company DEKTRADE a.s. workingwith the DEK a.s. - AtelierDEK technicalstudio have current ly announcedanother student compet i t ion,"DEKHOME - a quality and quick path tolow-energy house". The purpose of thecompetition is to design a family homethat would make maximum effective useof the built-up area, while preserving theaesthetic value and function of thework. The design is to emphasise theadvantages, beauty, and potential of thewooden structural elements of theDEKHOME system.

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Awarded Student Works

1st place: Miroslav Frantes, 4th year, study programme:Architecture and Building Engineering. The expertcommission appreciated the interesting solution of theventilated façade with the use of Cembonit fibre cementboards. Applying a steel supporting system, the authorpresented an unusual and very interesting inclination of thefaçade sheets which allowed for a smaller gap between thesheets and the wall in the upper part of the façade than inthe area of the base.

2nd place: Jana Musilová, 5th year, study programme: CivilEngineering, study branch: Building Structures. She usedCembonit boards of various sizes to create an interestingarchitecture of an irregular ventilated façade. She alsoapplied the fibre cement material for the lining of interiorwalls and as fire protection on supporting steel columns. Thisrepresented the most extensive use of the fibre cementmaterial in the competition.

3rd place: Soňa Korischová, 3rd year, study programme:Architecture and Building Engineering. She designeda ventilated façade on her maisonette house. The juryappreciated her flawless structural design of the façade, aswell as the drawings worked out with great attention todetail and accuracy, and including a technical report on thethermal properties of the building.

W E A R E I N T R O D U C I N G

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VCES – a Prominent Czech Construction Firm

Vladimír Ujec, VCES a. s., e-mail: vladimir.ujec@vces.cz, www.vces.cz

Since 1991, the company has beenestablishing its position of one of majorbuilding firms in the Czech Republic. Bygradually extending its business activitiesand by acquisitions of other companies,it laid the basis of the VCES buildingconcern, which had been formed byseven formally independent entities by2003. By successful restructuring andfurther development, the company hasre-affirmed its position as a strongbusiness player in the constructionsector. The latest landmark was the year2006, when the negotiations with thestrategic foreign partner, the Frenchbuilding firm Bouygues, were crownedwith the signature of transactiondocuments on the takeover of 51%share in the VCES construction concern.

Residential and TransportConstructionsThe main areas of the company’sconstruction activities are residential,industrial, environmental, and civilengineering constructions and transportstructures. Significant projects under

construction at present include the Labe– Loučná project (restoration andconstruction of a sewerage system in the

Pardubice area), reconstruction andcompletion of the sewerage network inthe town of Olomouc (2nd stage), Na

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Philharmonic Orchestra building in Hradec Králové

Labour Exchange in Frýdek-Místek

Slovanech residences at Úvaly nearPrague, the Hostivař commercial andresidential complex in Prague, anda hospice in Chrudim.

Contracts AbroadAt present, VCES works a lmostexclusively on contracts in the territoryof the Czech Republic – projects of theConsulate General building in Munichand Czech Embasy bui ld ing inLuxembourg have been exception. InLuxembourg, the work consisted ofa reconstruction and extension ofa histor ic bui lding, in Munich itrepresented the construction of a newbuilding.

Construction Company of theYear and CZECH TOP 100VCES is a regular participant in theConstruction of the Year competition onboth the regional and national levels. Itsparticipation in these competitions isa matter of prestige for the firm and thetitles the construction company has wonin the past reflect not only the level ofarchitectural design, but also thestandard of work it has executed. In2006, the project for reconstruction ofthe building of the Hradec KrálovéPhilharmonic received a nomination forthe title Construction of the Year. Thecompany regularly achieves a medal-winning posit ion in regionalcompetitions – the school complex atRokytnice v Orlických horách was 2006Construction of the Year in the Hradec

Králové Region, Svitavy hospital placed2nd, and the regional l ibrary inPardubice placed 3rd in the PardubiceRegion.

VCES won an important prize by theaward 2005 Construction Company ofthe Year in the category of large buildingfirms. The fact that VCES has beenregarded favourably by experts not onlyin the construction industry, but also inother business sectors is documented byits winning a place in the CZECH TOP100 competition.

Project XInteresting projects include the buildingof the Library and Information Centre inHradec Králové. The house of an X-shaped ground plan is completely "cast"in concrete. The character of thebuilding’s shell underscores the dynamicand legible form (cast letter). Aninteresting architectural element isrepresented by the circular windows

which "perforate" the shel l . Thewindows create an int imate andconcentrated internal environment.

As the structure is a monolithicreinforced concrete skeleton with visiblearchitectural surfaces, the constructionplaced high demands on thecoordination and teamwork of allsubcontractors in the execution of themonolith. Everything had to be crystalclear before concreting began, becauseadditional alterations on the skeletonwere not possible. The quality of thework was confirmed by a prize won inthe compet i t ion "2005-2006Outstanding Concrete Construction" ofthe Czech Concrete Society (CBS), in thecategory of buildings.

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About Bouygues Construction GroupThe Bouygues Construction group is a global leader in the building, civil works,electrical contracting, and maintenance sectors. With references in some sixtycountries, it combines the power of a large group with the responsiveness of a networkof companies. The group is made up of seven complementary entities capable ofoffering their customers comprehensive solutions by managing projects from thedesign and construction phases to maintenance and operation, including finance.Bouygues Construction endeavours to expand by reconciling economic profitabilitywith real concern for social and community issues and protection of the environment.

Largest Exporter of Building Activities

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E N T E R P R I S E

TCHAS, spol. s r. o., a new member of the French constructiongroup EIFFAGE, is the seventh largest building company in theCzech Republic and the largest domestic exporter ofconstruction work. With its plants and establishments, TCHASoperates in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland. In 2007,the company won first place in the Exporter of the Year,competition 2005-2006 Increase in Exports category. In thesame year, the company further augmented the exports forwhich it had been awarded the above-mentioned prize byanother 100%, to about EUR 90 million. We talked with theManaging Director and Chief Executive of thecompany, Mr Jaroslav Paclt, about business in theCzech Republic and abroad.

Your building activities are extensive.Which part of the construction works isa priority for you?We have three traditional pillars of our activities,which are rail construction, water projects, andbuildings and structures. It is so not only on theCzech construction market, but also in Slovakiaand Poland, where we have been successfullyoperating for several years.

What major building projects are youcarrying out at present?Among the most important transport contracts inthe Czech Republ ic I can mention theelectrification and modernisation of two railwaysin Moravia, which we have realised in the positionof a general supplier. In Prague, we havecompleted one of the most modern washers ofrolling stock in Europe. Abroad, we have reconstructed theSlovak railway junction Poprad-Tatry. In Poland, we arecontinuing the modernisation of the LOT A Siedlce - Lukówrailway section, which is a part of the Trans-European RailwayCorridor II from Berlin to Moscow. In the area of watermanagement projects, we have started an extensivereconstruction of the sewerage networks and sewagetreatment plants in Karviná and Kravaře, worth a total of EUR59.2 million. New sewerage systems are also being built inseveral stages in Rybnik, Poland, and in the Trnava region inSlovakia. A very interesting project was a bypass canal on theMorava River to protect the Moravian town of Olomouc againstfloods, which was completed in 2007. In the segment ofbuildings and structures, a major project was the constructionof 493 flats within the Jégého alej residential complex inBratislava for a private investor, FINEP. We are constructing theScience Faculty of Palacký University with a consortium ofcontractors in Olomouc, and completing an addition to theAVION Shopping Park for another private investor - Inter IKEACentre - in Ostrava. Each of these constructions is worth aboutEUR 35.2 million.

In 2007, the French EIFFAGE construction groupbecame a strategic investor in TCHAS. What doesthis mean for your firm?In its sixteen years of its existence, TCHAS has become one of

the largest Czech construction firms, the only companycompletely owned by domestic capital to achieve this position.In order to further develop in the Czech Republic as well asabroad, it urgently needed the financial backing and know-howof a strong construction group. With EIFFAGE, number seven inEurope, we are rising to another level of thinking - besidesdevelopment in branches where we have the expertise, we canstart considering for example participation in PPP (Public PrivatePartnership) projects, of which EIFFAGE has wide experience inFrance, Spain, Portugal, and other countries. We are currently

seeking engagement in PPP projects announced in Slovakia, andhoping that similar ones will soon appear in the Czech Republic,where we also want to be active in this area.

What is crucial for successful exports?At the very beginning of its business activities TCHAS decidedto disregard national borders. The company is based in Ostrava,and thus we have focused on the close territories of Slovakiaand Poland. In both countries we work by means of localspecialised firms that we have entered with out capital. This hasproved useful. On foreign markets, we always employ peoplefrom the given country. And not just manual workers; in Polishand Slovak firms, e.g., we leave the former managers in theirposts. At the same time we are trying to keep a balancebetween our three basic building commodities, i.e. railconstruction, water projects, and construction of buildings.

What will the year 2008 bring for the TCHASconstruction firm?We expect a year of great opportunities and continuingdevelopment in construction. For example, rail contracts beingprepared in Poland in connection with the modernisation of thePolish transport infrastructure before the 2012 EuropeanFootball Championships appear very interesting.

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Ostrava-Mošnov Airport

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Overview of 20th-Century Czech Architecture

The 20th century brought anunprecedented acceleration in all areasof human activity, including architectureand construction.

At the beginning of the 20th century,new movements were still reverberatingin architecture. Art Nouveau wasdominant, decorating buildings’ façadeswith i ts winding f lowers andsculpturesque female f igures. Incontrast, the close of the century wascharacterised by a medley of styles,dominated by purism of shape andmaterial, glass and steel cubes. In spiteof the long list of styles that appeared inthe 20th century, structures can bedivided into two main groups. Onegroup encompasses all that is based onhistorical monastic heritage, the otherincludes all that sought to adopt a newapproach and can be included under theinexplanatory yet pregnant title: ModernArchitecture.

Buildings constructed in cubist stylewere built at the time when Art Nouveauwas at its peak. The first functionalisticstructures date back to the same periodas decorative structures. Historicismfounded on classicism never left thescene. Al l elements are mingled,sometimes recurr ing, mutual lyinfluencing one another. With thegradual expansion of informationchannels, architecture clearly becamemore and more international, though itnever lost its immediate connection witha particular place.

Each selection which aims to presentthe most important examples of Czecharchitecture of the 20th century is

in a way random. There are scores and scores of interest ing andextraordinary buildings inthe Czech Republic.

At the Beginningthere was ArtNouveau and CubismThe f i rst years of thecentury were a time ofr iva l ry between ArtNouveau and cubism. Anexample of Art Nouveauarchitecture of that time isPrague’s magnificent MainRailway Station (architect J. Fanta, 1901 – 1909),where buoyant ArtNouveau playfulnesscomplements the grandstyle of the metal platformroof structure, which spans33.3 m (J. Marjánko and R. Kornfeld, 1905 – 1906).Cubism is represented forinstance by the House ofthe Black Madonna inPrague (architect J. Gočár, 1911 – 1912).This building, located on a modest cornerallotment, sports a façade of angulatedpillars, capitals, window sills, andwindows crowned by two floors ofangulated dormer windows. Today ithouses the Museum of Czech Cubism ofthe National Gallery in Prague. After theindependent Czechoslovakia had beenestablished in 1918, the new statebegan to seek i ts own sty le ofarchitecture. Attempts were made at

buildings of a very decorative style.However, the European trend in generalwas heading rather towards smooth,pure, and plain buildings expressingfunction and structure. Functionalismbecame widespread by the middle of the20th century.

On the 10th anniversary of theexistence of the state, two complexes ofidentical purpose and function were"devoted" to the occasion – theVeletržní palác (Trade Fair Palace) inPrague (architects O. Tyl and J. Fuchs,1925 – 1928) and the entire premises ofthe Výstaviště Brno (Exhibition Centre),the construction of which was the workof many architects (1926 – 1928). Thesebuildings were founded on a new poeticflawlessness of reinforced-concretestructure. The structure of Prague’sVeletržní palác is straight, while the BrnoVýstaviště boasts a dominant domestructure comprised of parabolic cross-beams. Shortly before that, the buildingof the Průmyslová škola (IndustrialSchool) was erected in Mladá Boleslav

Radomíra Sedláková, National Gallery in Prague, e-mail: arch.smsu@ngprague.cz, www.ngprague.cz

Main Railway Station in Prague

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C Z E C H B U I L D I N G I N D U S T R Y

(architect Jiří Kroha, 1924 – 1926). Thebuilding’s purpose was to serve futuretechnicians of general specialisation andoffer them a dynamic building, highlyexpressive, plastic with a varied studyprogramme, which is still available today.The thirt ies are perhaps best

characterised by the construction of thetown of Zlín, closely linked to thedevelopment of the Baťa company,which created its own construction style:a building with a monolith reinforced-concrete skeleton structure with brickwindow sills and metal windows –a system used for factory, school, andboarding school buildings (architects F. L. Gahura, V. Karfík).

From Functionalism to RealismThe period following World War II wasmarked by a change in the social make-up of the country. At first, a number ofbuildings were still designed in thefading functionalistic style – amongthem the so-called Koldům in Litvínov(architects E. Linhart, V. Hilský, 1947 –1959), the design of which won worldrenown due to i ts funct ionalarrangement as well as its poetics. Soon,however, historicist structures began toappear under the so-called socialistrealism and prototype designs werereadily served up by the Soviet Union.Although this was a short chapter, itmarked the face of Czech towns,especially residential buildings. As fornon-residential structures, far more weredesigned than were in fact erected.Characteristic works of this periodinclude the Prague Hotel International(architect F. Jeřábek, 1953 – 1958) and,for instance, the House of Culture(Kulturní dům) in Ostrov (architect

J. Krauz, 1954 – 1955) - a grandclassicist composition in the centre of a newly established town.

European Style and the Returnto TraditionFortunately, the trend rather tended to

follow the European direction and at theend of the fifties, architecture began torevert to its former tradition. At thesame time, new methods of constructionand new construction materials weresought after that would enable greaterprecision and speed of construction.Unfortunately these efforts led to sterileproduction of boringres ident ia l panelbuildings, although non-residential structuresbuilt at that time wereinteresting to a certaindegree. Such buildingsinclude, for instance, the Inst i tute ofM a c r o m o l e c u l a rChemistry in Prague(architect K. Prager),which was the first toincorporate light drapepartitions, designed andproduced at the Instituteitself.

When the decision wasbe ing taken in theCzech Republ ic onwhich building deservesto be awarded asBuilding of the Century,the t i t le wentunanimous ly to thetelevision tower and thehotel situated on JeštědMountain near Liberec.

The arch i tectura l des ign of th i sstructure is timeless, as if from anotherworld - a world with sophisticatedtechnology and yet perfectly integratedin its natural surroundings. It appears asif the architect (K. Hubáček, 1933 –1970) had only slightly elongated andfinished off the mountain peak. ThePrague underground fo l lowed insecond place (the first stations wereopened in 1975).

Postmodernism andNeofunctionalismThe last quarter of the century offers anabundance of interesting architecture:the ČKD House (Dům ČKD) in Prague -an icon of postmodern andneofunct ional ist ic architecture(architects J. and A. Šrámek, 1972 –1983), the House of Culture in Teplicewith its uncommonly simple design(architect K. Hubáček, 1988)complemented by a grand glasscolonnade (architect O. Binar), and theso-called Dancing House (Tančící dům) inPrague, built at the close of the century(architects F. O. Gehry and V. Milunič,1989 – 1996) - the first great feat on thedomestic scene by an architect of worldrenown and exceptional in terms ofsculptural architecture.

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C Z E C H T O P

Prize for Professionality and Beauty

The best constructions erected on the territory of the CzechRepublic in the year 2007 competed for the fifteenth time forthe prestigious Construction of the Year prize, which is awardedby the Architecture and Building Foundation (ABF, a.s.). Everyyear the title is awarded to five structures, without distinction oftheir order, as an appreciation of the universal quality of thecompleted work of construction – architecture.

Professional Prowess Combines with Quality andBeautyIn the fifteen years of its existence, more than 700 buildings

and structures have been evaluated in the competition. A totalof seventy of these can pride themselves on the titleConstruction of the Year.

An expert jury judged the buildings according to the followingcriteria: architectural impression of the work, general benefit,quality of construction work, appropriateness of the use ofbuilding materials and products, professional aspects ofintegration of the building work with the given environment,duration of construction work, achieved quality of constructionin relation to total cost, satisfaction of builder and user, andstandard of investor‘s concept.

The title Construction of the Year 2007 in the Czech Republic has been awarded to:

Archdiocese Museum Olomouc, 2nd stage Contractor: UNISTAV a.s.Designer: HŠH ARCHITEKTI, s.r.o. Investor: Muzeum umění Olomouc (Olomouc Museum of Art) Unique complex of buildings used for cultural purposes, with regard to themode of the linking of historical and new structures.

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Prague Contractor: Metrostav a.s.Designer: DŮM A MĚSTO architects – studioInvestor: KARMELITSKÁ HOTEL, s.r.o.

Architecturally unique sensitive reconstruction of a complex of diversehistorical buildings, with regard to the exacting new building input.

Airport Terminal Brno Contractor: Consortium of firms: Kaláb – stavební firma s.r.o.

Přemysl Veselý – stavební a inženýrská činnost s.r.o., BrnoDesigner: FA PAROLLI, s.r.o.Investor: South Moravia Region, Department of Regional

DevelopmentOriginal architectural work symbolising the aerodynamic nature of fastmovement, with regard to the structural solution.

New headquarters of the ČSOB bank Contractor: Skanska CZ a.s., Project Development Division Designer: AP – Atelier, s.r.o.Investor: ČSOB, a.s.Rare and non-traditional office buildings with prominent environmentalaspects, with regard to the required and achieved friendliness of theworkplace.

Cycle bridge across the Vltava River, in E. Pitter StreetContractor: JHP spol. s r.o.Architect: Prof. Ing. Jiří Stráský, CSc.Designer: Atelier 8000 s.r.o.Investor: Statutory town of České BudějoviceDynamic, entirely modern and artistically very impressive bridge structure, with regard to the friendly size of the construction.

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Wooden houses are steadily strengtheningtheir position in this country. This has beenone of the reasons for the birth of theMost Beautiful Wooden Building of theYear competition, as a fringe programmeat the international Wooden Buildings

(Dřevostavby) Fair. The competition isaimed at providing a survey of existingwooden houses and enhancing thefavourable perception of this moderntechnology of construction of residentialand public buildings. The second year of

the competition was prepared by the fairorganiser Terinvest with a support of theDřevo pro život (Wood for Life)Foundation and the company XellaTrockenbau-Systeme Praha, spol. s r.o.

The category of prefabricated structureof wooden houses has been won by theArtexa Praha, s.r.o. companye-mail: artexa@artexa.czwww.artexa.cz

The Jantar (Amber) family house is

a generously conceived modernspacious house full of light, designedaccording to the Feng Shui concepts. Insummer, the dominant windows of thehouse are protected by partly slidingslatted shutters preventing excessiveheat gain. In winter, the large windows

make it possible to use sunshine to heatthe house. The advantage of thestructure is an easy access to all therooms, which are situated along thesemi-atrium living area (the nodal partof the composition). The impression ofthe space is enhanced by large glazedwalls, which open for direct access toa garden or terrace. A natural anddelightful effect is achieved by thewooden facing of the facades, whichunderscores the environmental andnatural aspects of the wooden building.The house is designed as an energy-saving structure with thickenedinsulation and triple window glazing,with a heat-recovery ventilation systemby a recuperation unit, the so-calledlow-energy house.

The category of log structure ofwooden houses has been won by theHaniš - Srubové domy s.r.o. company e-mail: info@srubovedomy.cz www.srubovedomy.cz

A single-storey log house, with livingspace in the attic and no cellar floor, issituated on the outskirts of the villageof Solnice (Kvasiny), on a mild slopebelow a forest. The simple form of thelog house with a saddle roof isdominated by a front glazed gable wallfacing south, towards the road. Boththe exterior and interior were designedin such a way as to meet theinvestor’s requirement to achieve theoptimum ratio of construction price -maximum living area - low energycosts of use - practical function -appearance.

Source: Terinvest

Most Beautiful Wooden House of the Year 2007

Award-winning Designs in the 2nd Year of the Most Beautiful Wooden Building Competition

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KMB SENDWIX – Clever Masonry

KM Beta is a traditional Czech producer ofconcrete roofing systems and the largestCzech manufacturer of sand-lime blocks.Attention in its production is paid to bothenvironmental and energy aspects. This iswhy it has placed on the market its uniquecertified multi-layer wall system KMBSENDWIX, which is an effective solution toseveral technical problems.

Thermal Insulation and Storage,No Health HazardsKMB SENDWIX provides a high thermalaccumulation of masonry, which makes itpossible to easily overcome day and nighttemperature fluctuations and in thetransitional periods, such as spring andautumn, to use buildings without turningon the heating. At the same time itsignificantly helps to prevent overheatingof the interior during hot summer days.

Thanks to the extraordinary volumeweight of the sand-lime blocks, thismasonry is notable for high heat storage,excellent noise control, is safe, and hasfavourable parameters of moistureabsorption and emission.

Another significant property is the verylow level of radioactive elements in theconstruction material. To give an example,the upper limit according to standards isI=0.5, the value measured on KMBSENDWIX masonry was I=0.18.

Cost-Saving and EffectivenessSand-lime blocks have ergonomic pocketswhich greatly facilitate manipulationduring building. The vertical surface of theblocks is constructed as a tongue andgroove system for "dry" jointing. Themasonry from the blocks is built with thin-layer mortar and merely 2 millimetre bedjointing. These parameters of KMBSENDWIX masonry walls obviously bringhigh productivity in building. A normalbuilding is thus assembled from blocks ofonly three shapes and system lintels.

Variability of MasonryThe above-mentioned facts show clearlythat this masonry wall system supportscurrent purpose-oriented and cost-effective trends. The load bearingstructure of the outer shell is formed by

sand-lime blocks of a high strength andonly 240 mm thickness. On the exterior,this load-bearing masonry is faced witha thermal-insulation envelope of 100 to240 mm thickness, in the followingoptions: KMB SENDWIX P – contactstabilised polystyrene; KMB SENDWIX M –

contact mineral insulation, KMB SENDWIXL – ventilated structure covered witha cladding of architectural jointed sand-lime bricks.

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KM Beta a. s., e-mail: kmbeta@kmbeta.cz, www.kmbeta.cz

About KM Beta a. s. Company KM Beta was founded in 1996 and followed in the many years‘ tradition of themanufacture of sand-lime bricks and concrete roofing systems in south Moravia. Thisdated back to 1912, when a plant manufacturing sand-lime bricks was built at Bzenec-Přívoz. This factory was based close to a large site of wind-blown silica sands, whichhas been serving an optimum raw material resource to this day. The site is well-knownfor its quality sands of uniform grain size, which allows a high quality of products to beachieved. The construction of a concrete roofing manufacturing plant began at Bzenec-Přívoz in 1982, and production of the roofing material was launched in 1983. A secondplant producing concrete roofing systems was built in Kyjov in 1988-1989.

After acquiring these plants, the KM Beta firm has further modernised its productionand developed it up to the present level.

Multilayer SENDWIX masonry

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UNISTAV’s Building Works Range from an AquaPark in Prague to a Factory in Russia

UNISTAV was founded in 1990 andcurrently ranks among leadingconstruction companies in the CzechRepublic. It operates chiefly as an all-round contractor not only for newconstruction, but also for the renovationof residential, public, and industrialbuildings as well as civil engineeringinfrastructure.

From Housing Complexes toa Water ParkOver the period of its operation in theconstruction market, UNISTAV has built asa general contractor more than 170constructions all over the Czech Republic -from residential complexes and familyhomes, to industrial buildings,hypermarkets and health facilities, toreconstructions of historical buildings.

One of its major contracts is for thecompletion of an aqua park and hotelnext to Prague’s Průhonice-Čestlicecommercial zone. The construction startedin May 2007 and the complex is to beopened for the public in 2008. The workis worth about EUR 50 million.

The water park consists of threethematic sections linked by an artificialriver: The Palace of Waves, the Palace ofAdventure, and the Palace of Relaxation.Besides classical interior and exterior

attractions, the complex will housea sauna, a fitness and wellness centre, tworestaurants, and several bars. Two multi-storey car parks will be available for thevisitors of the commercial and leisure area.The hotel will have 240 double rooms,parking for 118 vehicles, a restaurant, bar,and a congress centre.

Gofrokarton - FactoryManufacturing PackagingMaterial in RussiaUNISTAV won the contract to build thefactory in 2004 and the construction was

completed in December2006. The contract wasunique, as it was carriedout through the firstever multi-sourcefinancing of exports inthe history of the CzechRepublic involvingCzech financialinstitutions, where thecooperating partnerswere the Komerčníbanka bank and the EGAP (ExportGuarantee andInsurance Corporation).Also unique was thejoining of six prominentsuppliers from variouscountries in a singleconsortium led by

UNISTAV and the integral financing bymeans of a single credit contract. EGAPalso worked together with foreigninsurance companies, namely EULERHERMES and COFACE, which shared therisk of the transaction by insuring theirnational shares, i.e. the supplies ofGerman and French firms. MajorEuropean insurance houses thusconfirmed their confidence in the entirefinancial structure. The factory in the townof Dmitrov currently manufacturesenvironmentally-friendly cardboardpackaging on new technology in the newbuildings.

Construction of the Year AwardUNISTAV has won the Construction of theYear title several times. In 2005, e.g., itsucceeded in the competition with theconstruction of Mendel University ofAgriculture and Forestry in Brno. Thecompany won the award for creatinga completely modern university complexwith respect to urban developmentsolutions and interior space design. In2007, the prize was awarded to theconstruction of the Archdiocese Museumin Olomouc, for the creation of a uniquecomplex of buildings used for culturalpurposes, with regard to the mode of thelinking of historical and new structures.

Naďa VávrováSource: UNISTAV

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Visualisation of a water park

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R E S E A R C H & D E V E L O P M E N T

New Technologies and Trends

Jaroslava Ledererová, Michaela Suchardová, Research Institute of Building Materials, e-mail: ledererova@vustah.cz, suchardova@vustah.cz, www.vustah.cz

Development in the area of buildingmaterials has largely been based on anincreasing product ion of exist ingclassical building materials by well-established technologies. However, thepresent period sees a rising demand forinnovative technologies based on theoutput of research and development.Applied research and development inconstruction in the Czech Republic isconcentrated especially at two researchfacilities - Výzkumný ústav stavebníchhmot, a. s. Brno (Research Institute ofBui ld ing Mater ia ls in Brno) , andCentrum stavebního inženýrství, a. s.Praha (Centre of Construct ionEngineering in Prague). It is alsoconducted at research sites in thebusiness sector, and at all the threefaculties of civil engineering - at theCzech Technical University in Prague,the Brno University of Technology, andthe Technical University of Ostrava,which are engaged especially in basicresearch in this area.

Increasing the Long-termDurability of ConstructionProductsDurability performance is the basiceconomic and ecological prerequisite forthe practical use of building materials.The objects of study in this respect areespecially the causes and effects ofvolume changes and corrosion ofbuilding materials. The effects of volumechanges caused by the utilisation ofvarious types of secondary materials arebeing studied by workers of theResearch Institute of Building Materials,within the VEZPOM (Research inEcological Processing of Industrial WasteMaterials) project funded by the CzechMinistry of Education. The same instituteis conduct ing research into theresistance of building materials tobiocorros ion, within the Tandem

programme (Ministry of Industry andTrade).

Environmental TrendsA global effort i s a imed at theeconomical use of non-renewablenatural resources, i.e. at their moreeffective uti l isation. This includesreducing the surplus of bui ld ingmaterials at construction sites, reducingbuilding waste and pressing for itsrepeated use. A contribution to thesaving of non-renewable naturalresources is the exploitat ion ofsecondary materials, which can be usedwith a certain economic effect inconstruct ion as bonding agents,additives and fillers, especially for themanufacture of l ight and ultralightweight artificial aggregates, varioustypes of concrete and products ofconcrete, cement, dry mixes, etc.Technologies using secondary rawmaterials can help improve the usequalities of the final product and, insome cases, contribute to the reductionof the volume of emissions. Attention isalso being given to the replacement ofgravel-sand by finely crushed stone, withregard to the limited usability of mostgravel-sand deposits because offarmland protection.

Applications of CompositeMaterials A major current trend is the use ofcomposites, where the wide range ofvarious mineral admixtures and chemicaladditives makes it possible to preparemater ia ls of a non-tradit ionalcomposition to meet exactly the users‘requirements. The possibi l i t ies ofcreating various special matrices fromraw materials available on the Czechmarket are being sought and tested inresponse to the requested parameters. In2007, the Research Institute of Building

Materials completed a project within theImpulse programme (Ministry of Industryand Trade), which resolved thetechnology of production of structural-insulation and heat-resistant compositesreplacing unsuitable asbestos andasbestos-cement products. The newproducts are resistant without change topermanent heat stress and thermalshocks of temperatures of up to 700 °C,which allows their use for instance in theglass industry.

Alternative Bonding Agents The issue of alternative bonds is focusedespecially on inorganic polymer materialswhich, dependent on the origin of thematerial, are characterised by highstrength, and resistance to fire and hightemperatures, acids and bacteria. Similarproperties can be attained throughalkali-activated slag. This area includesresearch into new types of cements –limestone slag cement (slow-setting andstrength-increasing), sulphate slagcement (with greater resistance to softand high-sulphate waters, organic acidsand oils) and calcium sulphoaluminatecement (non-permeable and resistant tosulphate corrosion). Research is alsofocused on metakaolin as a partialreplacement of cement, the use of whichis to help achieve long-term durability ofconcrete, reduced permeability bysolutions and gases, and control ofalkali-silica reaction and efflorescence.The use of clay for construction purposesis also being examined.

Futuristic Inorganic-OrganicCopolymersResearch in this area is focused forexample on the study of the compositionand structure of vegetable and animalbiomaterials of outstanding physical andmechanical properties, which had beenoptimised by nature over hundreds ofthousands of years. The outcome ofthese studies can be applied for instanceto research into concrete withoutmacrodefects, and other s imi larproblems.

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At the present time, research and development is concentrated especially

on increasing the long-term durability performance of construction products and

the thermal insulation properties. It is also focused on environmental trends, and on

the application of composite materials and alternative bonding agents.

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Poll of Successful Companies Operating in the Building Industry

GEOSAN GROUP a. s.

U Nemocnice 430, 280 02 Kolín III, phone: +420 246 006 111, fax: +420 246 006 000, e-mail: vedeni@geosan-group.cz,www.geosan-group.cz

Turnover (2006): CZK 6.5 billion – approx. EUR 229.3 millionNumber of employees: 286Contact: Ms Vlasta Končelová, e-mail: vlasta.koncelova@geosan-group.cz

The GEOSAN GROUP joint stock company is a Czech constructionfirm. It operates mainly as a general building contractor, not only inCzech territory. The results of its work implement the ideas ofprivate and public investors, by the use of modern methods andprocedures respecting the environment.

You are currently constructing a cultural centre inTunis. Can you provide details of the project? The cultural centre will be a feature visible already from afar. It willbe dominated by a 70-metre-high observation tower topped bya glass and steel dome 20 metres in diameter, which will housea café. Visitors will thus have a view of the whole of Tunis and anadjacent lake from a pleasant environment. Furthermore, thecomplex of the centre, including access driveways, parking lots,gardens and fountains are situated on an area of 90 000 squaremetres.

Investor of this major project is the Tunisian Ministry of Cultureand Heritage Preservation. The contract with GEOSAN GROUP a.s., which won an international tender, was signed on 5 January2006, construction began in March, the period of the contractimplementation is two years and a half, so that the cultural centreof the Republic of Tunisia is to be finished in the second half of2008. The total amount of the project equals about EUR 49 million.

The unique nature of the complex is underscored mainly by theconcert and theatre halls with the capacities of 1800, 700, and 300seats, the execution of which is amongst the most difficult parts ofthe construction in both technical and artistic terms. Interior andexterior decorations are also quite exacting. The designedornamentation reflects the local cultural heritage and traditions. Aninteresting feature is the incorporation of original grown palms inthe interior of the entrance hall.

What further interesting contracts do you have for2008?The completion of the largest project in the current Czech marketof residential real estate - the construction of a new quarter,

Central Park Praha, at the boundary of Žižkov and Vinohrady nearParukářka Park in Prague. The Central Park Praha project willcomprise 550 residential homes, and will be the largest project ofluxury housing in the Czech Republic, at a total investment ofapprox. EUR 132 million.

In January 2008, the company signed a new work contract forthe Cidlina project. According to this contract, won by GEOSANGROUP in a tender, the joint stock company will build sewagetreatment plants and sewerage systems in the conurbation of Jičín,Lázně Bělohrad, Miletín, Pecka, Libáň, and Ostroměř. The investoris Vodohospodářská a obchodní společnost, a. s. (WaterManagement and Trade Company), and the project will be co-funded by a subsidy from the EU, namely the Cohesion Fund, in theamount of EUR 11.136 million, a loan of EUR 0.8 million from theState Environment Fund (SFŽP), and from the investor’s ownsources to the tune of EUR 13 million. The total investment is thusworth almost EU 25 million.

This project, which is the largest in the history ofVodohospodářská a obchodní společnost, a.s. and one of thelargest current investments in the Hradec Králové Region, will bringthe construction of more than 55 km of sewers, and thereconstruction and building of 6 sewage treatment plants. This willconsiderably contribute to environmental protection in the area ofthe Bohemian Paradise, and especially the Cidlina River, whichbelongs to the Labe River basin.

Building Companies

OHL ŽS, a. s.

Burešova 938/17, 660 02 Brno, phone: +420 541 571 111, fax: +420 541 212 166, e-mail: ohlzs@ohlzs.cz, www.ohlzs.cz

OHL ŽS, a.s. is a dynamic multi-profession company with morethan fifty years‘ tradition. It ranks among the largest and mostimportant building firms in the Czech Republic. It is part of the

international Spanish construction and investment group OHL.In 2007, the sales of OHL ŽS, a.s. increased by 16%, accordingto international accounting standards. One quarter of the

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company’s sales were generated abroad. Currently OHL ŽS, a.s.has two divisions specialising in the construction of buildingsand transport projects.

Could you mention your latest major foreignbuilding contracts?These undoubtedly include the reconstruction of the Mezötúr –Gyoma railway. This involves modernisation of a part of theInternational Rail Transit Corridor crossing Hungary. We areexecuting it together with the OHL ŽS Középszolg subsidiary,according to FIDIC (International Federation of ConsultingEngineers) conditions. The construction will start in March2008. Another major contract is the water and seweragenetwork in Ruse (Bulgaria). It consists of reconstruction andextension of the existing networks, including the constructionof ducts. The Ruse investment is financed by the Ministry ofRegional Development and Construction and ISPA (Instrumentfor Structural Policies for Pre-Accession, EU). The second part ofthe works was launched at the beginning of 2008. The thirdmajor current project is a motorway from Baku to the RussianFederat ion border (Azerbai jan) , which combinesa reconstruction and the construction of new sections ina difficult terrain. The works are divided into three constructionsin a total length of 90 km, in an 8-degree earthquake zone.

What successes can you report at present? They are primarily the project for the motorway in Baku, andthe reconstruction of the Podgorica – Nikšić railway in

Montenegro. They are executed through export andcommercial credits which are provided to foreign partners ofČEB (Czech Export Bank) and guaranteed by EGAP (ExportGuarantee and Insurance Corporation). Similar models arebeing prepared and negotiated in countries of central andsoutheast Europe.

Turnover: CZK 10. 2 billion – approx. EUR 360.08 millionNumber of employees: 1 852Contact: Mr Zdeněk Zedníček, e-mail: zednicek@ohlzs.czExports: 25.1%, Slovakia, Hungary, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria,Croatia, Montenegro

ŽPSV a. s.

Třebízského 207, 68724 Uherský Ostroh, phone: +420 572 419 311, fax: +420 572 419 308, e-mail: sucha@zpsv.cz, www.zpsv.cz

Turnover (2007): CZK 1.5 billion - approx. EUR 57.7 millionContact: Mr Michal Šůcha, e-mail: sucha@zpsv.czExports: approx. 10%, Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Serbia

The ŽPSV joint stock company has 55 years’ experience in themanufacture of prefabricated reinforced concrete elements,especially for railway construction. In the last few years itsoperations have extended to the construction of roads andbuildings, and the production of crushed aggregates.

Since 2003, ŽPSV has been a member of the Spanish OHLconstruction group, which gave an impulse for thecompany’s expansion to southeast Europe. Capacities are to beadded to the existing plant making concrete sleepers in Varna,Bulgaria, to produce prefabricated railway elements and partsof skeleton structures. The company has about 750 employees.

Could you briefly introduce your productionprogramme? Our fundamental programme is the production of cross railwaysleepers from pre-stressed concrete, labelled B 91, which aremanufactured in three plants in the Czech Republic, one plantin Slovakia and one in Bulgaria. The product is fully competitiveall over Europe, in the construction of the high-speed tracks ofEuropean railway corridors. They have proved their reliability inmore than 10 years on the railways of the Czech Republic,Slovakia, Hungary, and Bulgaria. The sleeper is compatible withall well-known types of rail attachments, and is designed fornormally used types of rails. Besides the above-mentioned cross

sleepers, an important line in our range is the production ofswitch sleepers, which can be made to order according tocustomer specifications.

Rail support panels are also being developed for tram lines,especially the light B 03 sleeper, which can be used for lightrailway or municipal transport.

Could you mention your major foreign contracts ofthe present time?Major contracts include the supplies of cross and switch panelsfor the modernised corridors of the Slovak railways, and thedelivery of B 91 sleepers being prepared for Hungary. Demand

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Wienerberger cihlářský průmysl, a. s.

Plachého 388/ 28, 370 46 České Budějovice, phone: +420 383 826 111; fax: +420 383 826 115, e-mail: info@wienerberger.cz,www.wienerberger.cz

Number of employees: approx. 700Contact: Mr Richard Slavík, e-mail: richard.slavik@wienerberger.com

The Wienerberger company has been operating in the CzechRepublic since 1992 and currently is the largest producer ofburnt bricks in the country. Its production range is centred onthe comprehensive POROTHERM brick system (bricks forexternal and internal walls, ceramic ceilings and lintels, mortarand plaster), and to complement it is supplying ceramic tilesand facing bricks of the TERCA Klinker brand. The firm’s know-how is applied to manufacture quality products from qualityCzech materials for the Czech market, with the use of moderntechnologies, knowledge, and experience of Czech experts.

What new technologies are you using in theproduction?Particularly appreciated is the start of the production ofPOROTHERM CB ground bricks in a new plant in Jezernice.These bricks are revolutionary thanks to the unique technologyof thin joint systems where the bed joint is only one millimetrewide. This makes construction more accurate and reduces costs.The high interest of builders confirms that this has been a stepin the right direction. A further improvement of the technologyis thus being prepared.

What successeshave youachieved lately? Ten years ago, thefirm became generalpartner to theCompetit ion ofBui ld ing TradesApprent ices. Theidea was not only toacquaint studentswith new techno-logies andprocedures, but alsoto restore the goodname of the branchand increase the awareness of vocational education. After tenyears of cooperation, it can be stated that the competition hasgained considerable prestige. More than 2 700 students ofCzech, Slovak, German, and Polish schools have participated init over the years of its existence. Another success is that thecompany still maintains its leading position in the brick productsmarket. This does not reflect only a quantity placed in themarket, but above all a quality that is being permanentlyimproved, especially by the development of new products.

has also recovered for sleepers from the manufacturing plant inVarna, and the sale of about 50 000 is expected in 2008. Theacquisition of a manufacturing plant of prefabricated skeleton

elements is being negotiated in Serbia, with the intention toinvest in the modernising of the existing capacities and start themanufacture of switch sleepers there.

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KERAMOST, a. s.

Žatecká 1899/25, 434 30 Most, phone: +420 476 442 511, fax: +420 476 704 405, e-mail: keramost@keramost.cz,www.keramost.cz

Turnover: approx. CZK 500 million – approx. EUR 17.6millionNumber of employees: 340 Contact: Mr Zdeněk Vyskočil, e-mail: vyskocil@keramost.czExports: 45% - mainly European Union countries

KERAMOST, a. s. is engaged in the quarrying, processing, andtreatment of raw materials – namely bentonite, ceramicmaterials and clays, kaolin, metakaolin, phonolite, aggregatesand sand. These products are used in construction, thefoundry, geological and ceramic industries, paper industry,etc.

Your production portfolio is wide-ranging. Whichproducts are used in the construction industryand where?Main products are bentonite and metakaolin - exceptionalnatural raw materials the use of which for building purposeshas been steadily growing since the early 1990s. Bentonites ofthe G series can be used as plastification additive for concreteand plaster, sealing of buildings and water works, earthstabilising injections, hydroinsulation materials, etc. Thesecond remarkable product is metakaolin, which can be usedin the construction industry as additive to concrete, mortarand plaster, where it increases the mechanical strength of

finished products by up to 20% and ensures a high resistanceto the effects of chemicals and pressure water seepage.

Which of your products attract special interest offoreign customers? The greatest interest is in the above-mentioned products –metakaolin and G type bentonites, precisely for theirextraordinary properties. The highest demand for theseproducts is primarily in the west European markets, butexpansion is also being planned to other parts of the world.

Raw materials quarrying

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I N F O R M AT I O N

Important Contacts Ministries

Ministry of Industry and Trade www.mpo.cz mpo@mpo.cz

Ministry for Regional Development www.mmr.cz info@mmr.cz

Associations and Unions

Association of Building Industry Contractors in the Czech Republic www.sps.cz sps@sps.cz

Centre of Building Construction, Engineering, a.s. (CSI) www.csias.cz csias@csias.cz

Czech Chamber of Certified Engineers and Technicians Engaged in Construction www.ckait.cz ckait@ckait.cz

Research Organisations and Institutes

Research Institute of Building Materials, a. s. www.vustah.cz vustah@vustah.cz

Construction Technical and Testing Institute Prague, s. p. www.tzus.cz info@tzus.cz

PAVUS, a. s. - Construction Fire Attestation and Research Institute www.pavus.cz mail@pavus.cz

National Research Institute for Materials – SVÚM, a. s. www.svum.cz krejcik@svum.cz

National Research Institute for the Protection of Materials, s. r. o. (SVUOM) www.svuom.cz info@svuom.cz

Research Institute of Binding Materials, Prague, spol. s r. o. www.vumo.cz vumo@vumo.cz

Universities

Czech Technical University, Faculty of Civil Engineering www.fsv.cvut.cz mail@fsv.cz

VŠB – Technical University of Ostrava www.fast.vsb.cz iloslava.slosarcikova@vsb.cz

Academy of Arts, Architecture, and Design Prague www.vsup.cz pkeil@vsup.cz

Brno University of Technology, Faculty of Civil Engineering www.fce.vutbr.cz vut@vutbr.cz

Fairs and Exhibitions in the Building IndustrySector in 2008

MY HOUSE, MY CASTLE16th general building exhibition and best exhibit and bestexposition competitions.1 - 4 May 2008 Litoměřice – Exhibition GroundsVýstavy spol. s r. o.e-mail: vystavy@zahrada.cech.czwww.zahrada.cech.cz

FOR ARCH 200819th International Building Fair23 - 27 September 2008 PVA Letňany ABF, a. s.e-mail: forarch@abf.czwww.abf.cz

FOR WOOD 20083rd Fair of Progressive Building from Wood23 - 27 September 2008 PVA LetňanyABF, a. s.e-mail: forarch@abf.czwww.abf.cz

Official participation of the Czech Republic in internationaltrade fairs and exhibitions abroad

Kunming – China Czech National Exhibition6 – 10 June 2008www.mpo.cz

Ufa-Bashkortostan Czech National Exhibition17 – 20 June 2008www.mpo.cz

JMZV ZagrebInternational Trade Fair16 – 21 September 2008www.mpo.cz

Volgograd – RussiaCzech National ExhibitionSeptember www.mpo.cz

TIB BucharestInternational Technical Fair7 – 11 October 2008www.mpo.cz