Ubitech Construcții is one of the most technologized construction companies in Romania, which has so far managed to implement BIM methodology throughout the entire work process in the most important projects developed at national level.

Cătălin Podaru, CEO & Founder of Leviatan Group, talks about Ubitech’s key projects, 3D scanning and Mixed Reality technologies, the BIM system, but also about the success of companies that choose to invest in modern technologies and in digitalization and automation of work processes.

1. Can you describe the company and its activity on the local construction market?

Ubitech Construcții, part of Leviatan Group, is one of the most technologized construction companies in Romania. Founded in 2015, Ubitech Construcții is a 100% Romanian-owned company, offering full construction services such as general contracting, design and execution, project management and implementation, specializing in highly complex Design & Build projects.

The intelligent and sustainable solutions that Ubitech offers are based on an efficient organization and a dynamic and entrepreneurial management, implemented through successive processes of digital fusions, acquisitions of new technologies and strategic plans, aimed to increase the quality of our projects.

By constantly improving and automating its internal processes, Ubitech has succeeded in building a solid team, interconnected across all specialties, which generates its own standardization and know-how in the market.

Each construction project developed by Ubitech Construcții is handled with professionalism and responsibility, integrating advanced solutions that contribute to the development of a sustainable, better and safer society.

2. What are the key UBITECH projects?

Our company has several major projects underway in Romania. Each of them reflects our commitment to providing innovative and sustainable solutions in different sectors.

Two of the projects in our portfolio are located in Cluj County. One of them aims to develop the airport infrastructure at Câmpia Turzii for the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft. This ambitious project includes the construction of new hangars, workshops and administrative buildings to support F-16 Fighting Falcon operations. The new infrastructure will improve base efficiency and support the operations of the Romanian Air Force and its strategic partners.

The second project aims to develop a medical infrastructure by realizing the preliminary works for the construction of the Cluj Regional Emergency Hospital. The contract for the first stage of the project includes site organization works, rough excavation of earth, diversion of utility networks and temporary access roads, construction of a watertight enclosure of molded walls, retaining walls of drilled piles, as well as preparation works for the extension of the site organization in the second stage of the project, which was recently put out to tender for the construction of the hospital.

The Cluj Regional Emergency Hospital will become the main center for the care of critical patients and complex cases in the North-West Region of the country. The hospital will offer a full range of medical services and will have a capacity of 849 beds.

3. How did your activity evolve in 2023 and in early 2024, and what are your forecasts for 2025 and beyond?

2023 was a year of growth and consolidation of our market position, and 2024 enhanced the progress we made in the previous year, marking a favorable development for our company.

Compared to the previous year, 2024 marks a year of expansion and maturity of our strategic initiatives for our company. As such, we continued to implement and develop projects that integrate sustainable solutions and modern technologies, increased our efficiency and completed works on schedule.

We also successfully overcame various challenges and capitalized on multiple opportunities this year, enabling us to remain competitive. In addition, our achievements in the first six months of this year reflect strategic growth, both in the expansion of our project portfolio and in the strengthening and growth of our team.

Our projects will provide us with a working front until 2025. Moreover, we continue to explore new opportunities to expand our portfolio and look forward to embarking on new complex projects that showcase our innovative solutions.

4. You are one of the most technologized construction companies in the country, implementing BIM methodology throughout the entire work process. Could you describe your approach to creating and managing construction documentation using BIM?

By implementing BIM in all our work processes, we have been able to increase the quality of all the projects we have in progress.

We currently design exclusively in 3D and in this way we reduce the errors that can occur in the design and execution process, we code each deliverable with a unique code, which allows us to version in our common data environment and use the documentation as the only source of truth of the project, we establish a minimum amount of information for each deliverable and in this way we ensure that we have the same level of quality for each project, no matter the size or complexity of the project.

The common data environment provided by BIM allows us to view all plans, their versions and materials, ensuring a consistent and up-to-date database for all projects and materials put into operation.

5. Do you also integrate BIM with other types of software or technologies such as VR, AR or IoT? If yes, can you give us some examples of projects where you have used such technologies?

We use Mixed Reality in an integrative way with our other tools to automate, coordinate and have more control in tracking activities and their execution across all our projects.

We also use Mixed Reality technology to train students in our internships and internships or in different sessions that we organize in collaboration with Romanian universities. Thus, students have the opportunity to test our advanced equipment and better understand its applicability in the execution of projects.

6. Digital Twin is becoming an important key in the construction industry. What benefits have you experienced from implementing Digital Twin?

By using 3D scanning and Mixed Reality technologies, together with Building Information Modeling (BIM), our specialists create a complete digital dimension of their constructions.

The Digital Twin model enables our specialists to create intelligent designs that meet today’s sustainability standards and future standards for carbon neutral buildings.
For the beneficiaries of our projects, the Digital Twin model represents an opportunity to maximize the use of Facility Management software.

7. What will be the next steps in your digitalization and automation strategies?

We plan to broaden and deepen our investment in automation, a process that is already implemented extensively in our workflow by eConfaire Immersive Design, the Research & Development division of our group of companies.

One of our main goals is to advance automation in the creation of estimates for public projects, which will improve the accuracy and efficiency of cost estimates and reduce the time required to prepare bids. We also aim to optimize the procurement process through automation, which will streamline procurement and ensure conformity with relevant standards and regulations.

Another important aspect we are targeting is to improve the automated reading and processing of invoice data to increase efficiency in financial management and accounting. Through these automation investments, we aim to increase productivity, reduce operational costs and improve the quality and speed of delivery of our projects.

The initiatives listed above are key to maintaining competitiveness and responding more effectively to our clients’ needs in an ever-changing public construction landscape. As such, we are committed to using technology to optimize all aspects of our business and ensure long-term sustainable growth.

8. How did you manage price increases in the construction sector? What strategies have you implemented to reduce or absorb these cost differences?

We can confirm that the challenges we faced this year included rising material prices and supply chain disruptions, adding pressure on project execution and planning.

The shortage of construction specialists has also increased these difficulties and the salary adjustments needed to remain competitive have added further pressure on our cost structure.

However, we successfully managed to navigate through this challenging landscape through continuous strategic adaptations and careful resource management.

9. Every project is definitely a new adventure. Could you share with us some of the challenges you have faced in your most recent projects?

The construction of public buildings in Romania brings specific challenges, as the available time for feasibility studies and design is up to 5 times shorter than in other countries. This requires particular coordination and efficiency in complying with strict safety, accessibility and technology integration regulations.

Approval procedures can, in some cases, delay the start of work, while budgets can limit construction options and the quality of materials. Projects must also minimize environmental impact, which adds an extra element of complexity.

Efficiency in planning and technical expertise are essential when it comes to delivering projects to standard, on time and within budget, all within a compressed timeframe, unlike international norms. This accelerated process brings a unique set of challenges to the management of public construction projects in Romania.

10. What surprises you most when you revisit projects you have worked on in previous years?

When we look back at the projects we have worked on in past years, we are most struck by the sustainability and positive impact they have had on local communities. It is impressive to see how our advanced solutions continue to serve today’s needs and inspire new projects in the sector.

11. How do you see the construction industry evolving in the next few years, taking into account its growth potential, the transactions realized in recent years, the current price level and customer demand?

We consider that the outlook for the end of 2024 and for the period 2025-2027 is optimistic, as Romania is at a turning point.

With a significant budget of €70 billion available for development through European funds, the Cohesion Policy, the National Recovery and Resilience Plan and the “Anghel Saligny” National Investment Program, these resources are expected to significantly boost the construction sector.

This infusion of capital is essential for continued infrastructure development at local and national level, promising stable and sustainable growth for years to come.

12. Do you consider that you have a social responsibility to promote a low-carbon approach? How do you deal with such an initiative?

In today’s context, where sustainability and energy efficiency are key to meeting climate challenges, we believe that all companies in the construction market have a responsibility to promote a low-carbon approach.

Our specialists integrate sustainable solutions into all our projects and use state-of-the-art technologies to be efficient and deliver sustainable projects. These efforts reflect our strong commitment to contribute to the sustainable development of construction projects in Romania.
We therefore recommend an innovative approach in the selection of materials and project solutions. Eco-friendly concrete, solar panels integrated into facades, smart lighting systems, energy-efficient windows and recyclable materials can help create a greener future.

The implementation of the Digital Twin model in the operational phase of construction is also another important solution that can add value in terms of sustainability and building durability, ensuring high energy efficiency and a more circular economy where resources are better used and reused.

13. What can you tell us about the concept of adaptive reuse? What are the advantages and disadvantages of such projects and how much is this being practiced in Romania?

Adaptive reuse refers to the transformation of unused buildings into new functional spaces, contributing to sustainability and resource conservation.

In Romania, this concept is gaining popularity due to its multiple advantages. Benefits include reducing the consumption of building materials, preserving cultural heritage, stimulating the local economy by attracting investment, revitalizing communities by giving back unused spaces and many others.

However, adaptive reuse faces challenges, such as regulations that make the process difficult, the high costs of renovation and adaptation, and the difficulty of maintaining the original characteristics of buildings.

Supported by European initiatives and funding, adaptive reuse has the potential to contribute to sustainable development and heritage conservation in Romania.

14. In your opinion, which investments in the construction sector are most urgent?

From our point of view, investments in the construction sector in Romania should primarily target medical, military and road infrastructure.

Therefore, the priority of these investments should be to build modern, well-equipped hospitals, which are essential for improving the medical system and ensuring access to quality health services for all our country’s citizens.

Also, in the current geopolitical context, it is particularly important to develop the military infrastructure in order to strengthen Romania’s defense capabilities and support national security. These projects include the construction and modernization of military bases and military storage and maintenance facilities.

Last but not least, investments in road infrastructure (highways, bridges and viaducts) are necessary to stimulate economic development and improve regional connectivity.

15. And finally, for someone trying to succeed in this field, what do you think is essential to know?

In our opinion, those seeking a career in this sector or those already working in the industry should emphasize education and continuing training to succeed in the construction industry. Getting familiar with state-of-the-art technologies and software that facilitate a collaborative way of working is also important. This approach enables quality projects to be carried out efficiently.

We also believe that companies in the construction sector can be successful if they choose to invest in modern technologies and digitalization and automation of work processes, as well as integrating innovative and sustainable solutions into their projects. At the same time, building relationships based on trust and respect, both with team members and with clients and partners, is essential.

This interview was given to IBC Focus and published in TOP 100 General Contractors in Construction 2024.