It is true that the material demand of civil engineering and industrial investments is increasing, but at the same time, residential orders are stagnating. High initial costs, labor fees and caution hold back new constructions. Renovations can be more lively, but these often do not appear in masonry or roof tiles, but in mechanical engineering, doors and windows, thermal insulation or minor upgrades.
The price of building materials is no longer just a matter of production. The production of cement, concrete, bricks and tiles is an energy-intensive activity with high fixed costs. In the prices, not only the burdens of production and logistics, but also of climate and environmental protection regulations appear, in an increasingly direct way.
Carbon cost is a significant factor. In energy-intensive industries, carbon dioxide emissions also have a price. The EU emissions trading system and the carbon compensation mechanism are no longer a theoretical framework, but a perceptible cost on a daily basis. In addition to material, energy, transport, wages and maintenance, the final price also includes the price of emissions.
Added to this are the mining, environmental protection and recultivation expenses, the 27 percent VAT, the road toll and the financing burden. Manufacturers therefore have to sustainably handle and balance the high cost level in the face of often fluctuating or even weak demand.
This increases the value of flexible adaptation. THE Leier Hungária Kft. his strategy is not based on waiting, but on running ahead. This process is analyzed by Andor Komlós, the managing director of Leier Hungária Kft.: “Our company, which is one of the leading players in the Hungarian building materials market, responds to challenges not by retreating, but by conscious progress. We have been working on the Hungarian market for 40 years. The company’s strategy is based on investment, innovation, energy efficiency and an accurate reading of real market needs. the demand for apartment buildings, renovations and outdoor developments is already showing new directions. Leier is responding to these with targeted product and technological developments. It is also important for us that Leier provides a visible slice of Hungarian construction materials: nearly 20% of its sales come from exports, i.e., in addition to fully supplying the domestic market, it also supplies to neighboring countries.”
Managing director Andor Komlós, photo: Leier
Their new multi-billion HUF investments point in the direction of innovative products and greater added value. In Jánossomorján, the prefabricated garages will be made with self-developed technology from the second half of the year – in addition to the already known prefabricated concrete elements. The entire structure can be delivered, and on-site assembly is quick and efficient. This approach is no longer a convenience factor, but a competitive advantage.
Kiskunlacházan is expanding premium, colored, highlighted paving stones production capacity, strengthening the supply of the central region. With this, the company consciously goes beyond the classic role of a manufacturer of building materials, and also treats the design of the home environment as a strategic area.
It takes place in Mátraderec polished brick preparation for production. The technology enables faster and cleaner execution, while also offering a more favorable solution in terms of energy. The development raises the factory to the level of similar plants in Devecser and abroad, creating a unified technological background.
Efficiency is a key factor in both manufacturing and construction. In the factories, solar panels produce part of the energy, and the modernization of production technology improves the economy of production. This is both a cost advantage and a tangible step in reducing the carbon burden.
showroom, photo: Leier
While the company optimizes its own operations, it also offers measurable benefits to contractors. Precast concrete elements – bark walls, slabs, stairs, air conditioning elements – offer time savings and more practical construction, which is important in an environment with a shortage of labor.
Flexibility thus becomes a business result. The family ownership background results in successful decisions, operational discipline, and openness to innovation. While 12,000 new apartments were built in Hungary last year, which is a 9 percent drop, Leier increased its sales revenue by more than 7 percent in its domestic and export markets.
The conclusion is clear: in the current construction industry environment, it is not necessarily the one who waits who remains in the competition, but the one who recognizes the direction of change in time and is able to adapt his own operations accordingly. Leier’s strategy currently follows this logic.
New colors, new moods in the garden
This year’s Leier paving stone collection one of its most spectacular innovations is the renewed color scheme, which turns towards natural, warm tones. The soft, yellowish shade of sandstone brightens and optically expands the space, thus creating a more airy effect even in smaller gardens. The delicate, brownish tone of latte radiates understated elegance, while harmoniously fitting in with most facades and garden elements.
The more characteristic almond shade already gives the cover a stronger presence, yet preserves the close-to-nature atmosphere. The reddish tones of terra, on the other hand, have a particularly invigorating effect: they bring warmth, energy and vitality to the environment, while creating a strong visual connection with the vegetation.
Beige and brown shades create a sense of calm and security, helping to relax and unwind, while warmer tones make outdoor spaces more welcoming and homely. One of the biggest advantages of the new color palette is that the individual shades can be consciously combined, so that a uniform, harmonious overall effect can be created between the house and the garden.
The surface of the renewed paving stones is also more modern: the polished bark design provides a more durable and resistant covering, while the smoother surface is safer and easier to clean.
This article is a paid promotion, the customer is Leier Hungária Kft.
