During its work in the construction market, ALD Engineering and Construction has implemented a number of large-scale projects - modernization of aspiration units of PJSC «Zaporozhstal», reconstruction of gas cleaning systems in the Production Workshop pellets at mining and processing enterprise SevGOK, the construction of a powerful oxygen station at the Zaporozhye Regional Infectious diseases hospital, the launch of a new fan cooling tower at the Avdeevka Coke Plant and others. Each project implies the implementation of several important stages. The selection of building materials and equipment is one such stage. Namely, high-quality materials are an indispensable element for the implementation of any construction project by ALD Engineering and Construction. When using non-certified goods and materials, the object simply cannot be put into in commission.

Valentin Bondarenko, Commercial Director of ALD Engineering and Construction, spoke about how the company chooses high-quality building materials and what problems they face.

- The work principle of our company is based on a simple and clear rule - to choose only high-quality certified materials. It is important to understand that even a small percentage of low-quality goods and materials will entail the problem of commissioning the entire object. In addition, this is a colossal loss for the company. Choosing a low-quality material, then we may not hand over the object to the customer - this is one thing, but another, which will thus damage our reputation as a construction company. Our task is to check all our suppliers so that we do not have a low-quality product due to unfair actions of contractors. It is important for us to implement the project for the customer, taking into account all the rules and regulations, and the choice of quality materials is the way to solve this problem.

 - Do you check the goods at all stages of construction?

- Absolutely. You cannot lose your vigilance. For example, a company may build a complete object, and due to the use of any low-quality materials, the implementation of the project may be under the threat of failure. In addition, it can provoke emergencies; issues of labor protection and safety are touched upon here. Therefore, control should be constant at all stages, because in the practice of a construction company there are problems with suppliers.

- Have you ever had any problem situations related to equipment or materials that you used at the objects?

- Yes, there are different problem situations. For example, there was a problem with a smoke exhauster that we installed on the aspiration system at SevGOK. As a result, one of the engines failed. This is a hardware problem and could cause the suction system to stop working. Of course, we do not manufacture equipment, but we are responsible for its quality as a general contractor. Now we carry out all the necessary work under the guarantee at our own expense, because the customer company may incur losses. In order to avoid such problems, it is necessary to check very carefully all equipment at the stage of receiving the goods, to assess its quality. For this, it is important to make visits to the enterprise where the equipment and materials have been producing. Because it is there that defective articles can be allowed, the problems of what are then solved by us. Unfortunately, not all manufacturers do their job well.

Another problem is the delivery time of equipment or delivery of wrong equipment that was not originally ordered by us. Sometimes suppliers fail in these matters. Because of such actions, we can disrupt the schedules for the commissioning of the object, do not fulfill our obligations, and incur losses. Sometimes we have to return commodities and materials, waste time waiting for a new delivery. Or even refuse to cooperate with an unscrupulous supplier and look for another.

When we see that delivery times are missed, we also turn on and use our levers of pressure, but I confess that this does not always work. Therefore, in this part, I would like more responsibility on the part of contractors.

 - How do you check your suppliers?

- We find firms that have some experience in the industrial construction market, and we try to get away from dishonest partners. We have a security department that checks all our contractors for any complaints about poor quality materials.

It is very important to note that all goods that we use are accompanied by quality certificates or letters from the supplier, which explains that this product is not subject to certification. All this must be spelled out, because during commissioning of a facility, we need to attach certificates for all the materials used. Otherwise, our act will not accept.

 - Tell us, what suppliers do you mainly cooperate with?

- We mainly cooperate with companies located on the territory of Ukraine. And there is a certain percentage of foreign manufacturers. It entirely depends on the commodities and materials that we need. In our country, there is a decent selection of both building materials and equipment, and a price / quality ratio. In fact, most of the suppliers we work with are trusted, conscientious companies. They adhere to the time of delivery, all the necessary certificates accompany their products, and the principle of work meets high standards of partnership. These include - AUTOMATION TERAVATT GROUP LLC, METINVEST-SMC LLC, PJSC SANTEHKOMPLEKT, Khimreserv-Zaporozhye LLC, E.M.A LLC, subsidiary of Siemens Ukraine with 100% foreign investment, COMPRESSORS INTERNATIONAL LLC and others.

- You probably have a very wide range of goods that you use in your work?

 - That's right, the range of goods is very wide - from bolt screw to rolled metal, as well as heavy component. For example, if we do an aspiration or a certain motor, then there is only one filter can weigh 300 tons. This is such a powerful metal structure, which includes filter elements, an automated system, a control system, and sensors are planned there. The installation of such equipment requires serious work and details.

However, we naturally use common building materials that are available at any site.

For example, when we were constructing a fan-cooling tower at AKHZ to cool the water in the circulating cycle of a CHPP, according to this project we had to lay a pipeline, connect water, lay a trench, lay a pipe and fill it with sand, and then improve the facility. And here we need, for example, crushed stone and other materials. Therefore, we work with different suppliers in different directions and control all materials in the same way.

Of course, work experience, market knowledge, information from suppliers give us a lot. But the most important thing is clear control at all stages, and especially at the stage of goods acceptance.

- Can you tell us what ordinary citizens should pay when buying construction goods?

- Firstly, do not think that the price or the country of origin are the main criteria for product quality. The most important thing that you need to pay attention to is the quality certificate.

If the product has been tested before production and at the exit from production, this is a plus. If there is no certificate, then everything is clear here, and you should not risk it.