I can sum it up in two words, difficult and hectic – answered Attila Juhász, the owner of the largest building materials trading company in the Pest county, Újház Zrt., and the president of the ÉVOSZ Hungarian Building Materials Trade Section, who received the Gránit Oroszlán award, to the Göd-based Piramis Építőház Kft. in the businessman category, in recognition of his social involvement and role as a community builder.
– It is difficult, as it is for all other companies working in the construction industry, because the sector has run out of work due to the unfavorable external economic environment. The constructions that had already started had yet to be completed, but no new orders were received, or much less than in previous years. This presented serious challenges to everyone.
Busy because we opened our new building materials and DIY store in Göd. The tip of my heart is the new store, which provides customers with service that meets all the requirements of the age: we have a huge parking lot, the interior is spacious, the products are clearly visible, where we sell only high-quality products, it’s really a pleasure to enter here for people who tend to work with their hands.
In our 1,000 m2 do-it-yourself store, in addition to tools and machine tools, you can find paint products and products for occupational safety, and in our bathroom salon, even more beautiful wellness products, coverings and sanitary ware are available, supplemented with 3D visual design.
–Was it a good decision to take such big steps forward in such a difficult year?
-Obviously, this decision was made years earlier, when it was not yet possible to see that the demand would decrease. One of our most important corporate principles is development, and this investment is also the fruit of this strategy. The difficult years encourage us to pursue a more thoughtful cost policy, but we do not stop development. At the same time, of course, it is difficult. Our move, the launch of the new store, of course, goes much faster when the customers give each other the door handle. But they are the winners of this difficulty, because now we are waiting for our customers with special attention, great sales and valuable discounts, so that as soon as possible and as many as possible discover our new commercial unit for themselves.
–How do you look ahead to 2024?
– I expect a slow but sure rise in the construction industry. The external conditions – which stopped construction – have improved a lot, inflation has dropped below 6 percent, and it will certainly decrease further next month. At the same time, the interest rates are decreasing, here the CSOK+, Village CSOK, baby loan, which can even be combined, and the prices of building materials have decreased significantly. Due to less work, it is now easier to find contractors and other professionals, and more and more people will realize that this is the point when it is worth getting into construction. We are very much looking forward to the new state home improvement program, which could also give our industry a strong boost.
–Piramis Építőház is deeply embedded in the life of the region, they do a lot to preserve the values of the region and build community life. Do you have the energy left to continue filling this role that is difficult to replace?
– I believe that what I receive from people, I must give back to my environment, and I also draw strength from this. Last year, I won the Gránit Oroszlán Responsible Business Model Award, which is awarded to those who, in addition to family and workplace stability, are able to create an outstanding example of social responsibility. This recognition was obviously also for my social involvement in the Piramis region, it is a great honor to be nominated for this award, and the professional jury also found it worthy. Among the professional recognitions, I would like to single out the position of president of ÉVOSZ’s Building Materials Trade Section, which I have held since May 2023, and which is the highest-level interest representation organization of our profession. This is a huge honor, but also a huge responsibility, as I represent the interests of nearly 30,000 people in decision-making at the highest level. This is partly the recognition of the profession for the path I have taken for the Hungarian construction industry during my 28-year career as a building materials trader.
–What other goals can you set for yourself, what would you be satisfied with if we talk in a year?
– We would like to continue to be the most important building materials dealer in our region and to be able to help our customers create carefree homes. My goal is that Újház Piramis Építőház Kft. comes to mind first for everyone who is thinking about construction or renovation. What I can promise is that we will continue to do everything we can to maintain the satisfaction and trust of our customers.
Daniel Máté
