In Russia, the construction industry is actively adapting to changes in the global arena. In this regard, energy efficiency in the construction of apartment buildings has been one of the priorities for several years. Similar trends are observed in the CIS countries.
But at the same time, the development of the construction industry is hindered by high energy costs, deterioration of infrastructure and lack of qualified personnel. In these conditions, companies are forced to look for innovative solutions to improve the energy efficiency of their facilities, says Yusuf Yarov, founder of the Yusuf Yar construction company, which was one of the first in the near abroad to use heat pumps and train local specialists in this qualification. We talked with Yusuf about how new technologies are transforming the industry and what challenges still remain.
“SP”: Yusuf, the construction industry in the CIS countries is facing a number of challenges today, including rising energy costs and lagging behind in the use of modern technologies. How do you assess the current state of the construction industry?
— The construction industry has a huge growth potential. This is confirmed and shown — in 2023, a record 1587.5 thousand square meters of housing were commissioned. This gives us all an incentive to seek and find new solutions and approaches. For example, the use of energy-efficient materials, the introduction of automation and digitalization of processes can dramatically change the industry. This will require investments in technology and training, but I am confident that this path will be the key to overcoming the current crisis.
“SP”: You were one of the first to introduce new technologies in your work, in particular, to use heat pumps. Tell us why you bet on her, because at that time there was no such experience on the market and, consequently, personnel?
— In our industry, it was customary to rely on traditional energy resources such as gas and electricity, which used to be cheap and affordable. But as tariffs have increased, this approach has become ineffective, especially for apartment and commercial buildings. At that time, several companies had already attempted to work with heat pumps, but precisely because of the lack of working competencies, there was no understanding of how to use such systems.
It was a risk for us, and we took it because we saw a growth point here, not only for us, but for the construction industry as a whole. We bought the remaining heat pumps from the companies, tested them on our own projects and saw significant savings. The most difficult part was explaining the advantages of heat pumps to customers and convincing them of the long-term benefits. Then we started training specialists in working with heat pumps, in particular, we turned to the foreign market. Now this solution is showing excellent results: we use heat pumps in apartment buildings to heat water, which helps reduce energy consumption.
“SP”: Moreover, you advise other companies on the application of technology. Aren’t you afraid of competition?
— We understand that the lag of the entire industry slows down the development of not only individual companies, but also the economy as a whole. Therefore, we see no reason to conceal and conceal this information. In any case, healthy competition is always good for business — everyone will try to do their job better and better.
“SP”: You have raised your company from scratch to a prestigious level in 9 years: you are trusted to build large residential and administrative facilities, in addition, you also work with international customers — in particular, you built a student hostel for the Pakistani Educational Advisor company. Tell us, what do you follow in your work?
— The main thing is responsibility and decency. We always try to work transparently with customers and investors because it builds trust. It is also equally important to be flexible and mobile in decision-making.
In an environment where construction projects may face unexpected challenges, it is important to respond quickly by redesigning plans and allocating resources. I think the third thing is the willingness to learn and implement new things. The introduction of new technologies is the only way to remain competitive in the construction industry. Technology helps not only to speed up processes, but also to minimize costs, which is especially important in the context of the growing cost of materials and energy resources. I am sure that these principles allow businesses to cope with any challenges and remain competitive even in the international market.
“SP”: You studied advanced construction technologies in Western and Eastern countries and implemented them in your projects. Thanks to this, a technological breakthrough was made in Kyrgyzstan and a capital building was built in just one year instead of the standard two years. What technologies, in your opinion, will become decisive for the construction industry in the coming years?
— In the coming years, I see several key technologies that will significantly change the construction industry. Firstly, it is energy efficiency technologies. We have already started to introduce heat pumps, and their use will only expand. These will include solar panels and energy management systems that will minimize operating costs and reduce the environmental footprint.
Secondly, digitalization. BIM (Building Information Modeling) technologies will play a crucial role in the design and management of construction projects. They allow you to optimize processes, predict possible errors and costs at the planning stage.
Thirdly, the use of innovative building materials. Technologies for the production of environmentally friendly and more reliable materials, such as energy-saving glasses, lightweight concrete mixes and composites, are actively developing. We have started using them in our practice, and I am sure that their market share will grow. Finally, automation and robotics. This will help speed up construction and minimize the human factor in complex and routine tasks. These technologies are not just trends, but a real necessity for the development of our industry.
“SP”: Today we talk a lot about technologies and approaches to construction, and what, in your opinion, is most important for the success of a company in the field of construction — technology, strategic management or something else?
— I believe that the company’s success in the construction industry depends on a balanced approach combining several key elements. Of course, technology plays a huge role, but it doesn’t mean much in itself without strategic management. The ability to make the right decisions, flexibly adapt to changing market conditions, and effectively manage resources is the foundation of success.
In addition, I would add another important aspect: it is the development and retention of talented specialists. In any company, people are the main asset. Continuous training and professional development of employees, their motivation and involvement in the overall success of the company play no less a role than modern technologies or strategies. Therefore, success will depend on how well the company can synchronize these three elements: technology, management and human capital. Together, they will allow us to remain competitive and move forward even in the face of fierce market competition.
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