Valbek wants to enter the Nordic construction design market

The VALBEK Group is expanding its operations in the Nordic region. After expansions in nearby Slovakia and Ukraine, they are now heading to Sweden. A new branch was opened in Gothenburg in October. It will be led by experienced designer Fredrik Öster, who has many years of experience in BIM management and design. In this interview, he told us more about the vision, the nearest plans of the new branch and described the cooperation with Czech and Slovak colleagues as well as the specifics of the Swedish market.

Valbek has just opened a new branch in Sweden. Where will it be based?

We opened a branch in Gothenburg, Sweden’s second largest city. However, intensive preparations had already been underway since last winter. We see a great potential in the Swedish construction market and see a potential for rapid growth in the coming years.

What are the visions of Valbek’s operation in Sweden and your first tasks? Have you already done any projects?

Our vision is to build on the sense of Valbek style quality and innovation that has made the company so successful in central Europe and introduce these values to the Nordic markets. We believe that BIM & Digital design methodologies could be implemented more thoroughly – leading to higher quality and more effective project deliveries. We aim to be the digital frontrunner of the Swedish construction market. Since we are starting, we haven’t had much project activities – so far we have delivered a feasibility study for Volvo Group and we have initiated a small bridge project. We also conduct BIM-management assignments for two urban planning projects in and around Gothenburg.

What brought you, personally, to Valbek? Did you know Valbek before? Did you like your visit to the Czech Republic?

I learned about the company in 2021 and I was immediately impressed by the level of technological expertise available in the company, but also the ambitions in digital design. When I got to know the company better I was positively surprised by how Valbek had managed to combine profitable growth with a maintained team cohesion of a smaller company. I visited the Czech Republic in May this year and was lucky enough to meet several colleagues at the Prague office as well as the Liberec branch. I really liked the beautiful surroundings of Krassa fortress, where I spent my free time.

I heard that Sweden is planning to invest heavily in infrastructure and the rail network – is this seen as a business opportunity?

Absolutely. The Swedish economy is growing fast, and we see a lot of investments going into the sustainable transformation, especially in the industrial sector. The Rail network needs modernization, both for regional trains as well as high speed intercity connections.

Could you tell us more about the government’s plans?

We are still waiting for a new government in Sweden after the September elections. Both political blocs have slightly different views on infrastructure investment. So we´ll have to wait to see what the exact plan will be. We expect a right-wing government that will likely prioritize regional trains and improve the existing intercity train lines as well as road network upgrades. All political parties agree that heavy investments are needed in Swedish infrastructure – and rail in particular.

What other business opportunities do you see in Sweden for Valbek?

We see great opportunity in urban planning, buildings and water areas, apart from the obvious focus on infrastructure.

Are Swedish projects very specific in something compared to Czech or European ones?

We see more and more of a European harmonization, in terms of project requirements. The gradual implementation of ISO 19650 being one example. Eurocodes are applied in Sweden but like any other European country, we still have local regulations that need to be followed.

In Sweden, BIM is commonly used for design, in the Czech Republic it is just starting. How long have you been working with it and will you inspire or teach your Czech colleagues?

BIM has been my personal area of expertise for the last 15 years, and I am very passionate when it comes to developing our ways of working. I´m really looking forward to continuing developing BIM principles and methods together with the rest of Valbek. I hope to inspire further development, but also to learn from the talented people that are with the company today. Experience is important when it comes to BIM & digital design – but I also value curiosity and ability to innovate. I find that the most exciting development occurs when a mix of people come together – both experienced and inexperienced specialists!

Do you plan on taking some colleagues to the new branch for designing works, or will it be designed in the Czech Republic and Slovakia?

Both. We will build a capacity to deliver all kinds of projects that our preferred clients require. We want to recruit new colleagues in Sweden, but also use the free capacity of colleagues in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. We hope to let Swedish specialists add value to projects in central Europe. In this way, we strengthen the Valbek offer in all geographical areas where we are active.

Thank you for the interview.

Fredrik žije jižně od Göteborgu se svou ženou a jejich třemi dětmi, kterým je mezi 4 a 10 lety. Snaží se trávit co nejvíce času se svou rodinou. Když nepracuje, rádi vyrážejí na moře na člunu rybařit a plavat nebo se jen tak poflakují v přírodě a chodí na túry. Také rádi sportují, třeba hrají fotbal.