Management and construction process innovation makes CEINSA more competitive by the day. The use of new technologies enables the company to plan its resources more efficiently, while its ERP system furnishes detailed and up-to-the-minute information on the state of its works.

CEINSA collaborates with public and private research and development bodies, such as the University of Zaragoza, the Polytechnic University of Madrid and the Spanish Institute for Energy Savings and Diversification. It contributes to the development of new methods and technologies for project roll-out, not only to lower environmental impact, but also to improve works quality and safety.

The projects presently underway include:

• topographic stake-outs with GPS surveying equipment
• optimised stabilisation
• demolition and waste management improvements
• strength monitoring to optimise formwork stripping
• adoption of environmental and ecoefficient criteria en buildings
• enterprise resource planning (ERP).

Certification to Spanish standard UNE-166001 is being sought for CEINSA’s R&D+i projects to suitably channel the funding earmarked for this purpose.

CEINSA’s R&D+i Department, under the leadership of its Chief Executive Officer for Research, Development and Technological Innovation Projects, has designed a strategy to develop new technologies, processes and materials to contribute to the company’s continuous improvement and enhance its competitiveness.

The company’s primary aim is to use all its quality management systems records to sharpen its competitive edge and add market value to its products.

Another short-term aim is to implement and certify a UNE-166002-compliant R&D+i management system.

Such certification is being sought to:

• lend its R&D+i activities even greater impetus
• provide guidelines for efficient R&D+i organisation and management
• ensure that the company seizes all opportunities to generate in-house technology and earn additional profit from technology transfer
• empower R&D+i as a differential competitive advantage
• help plan, organise and control R&D+i units to use resources more efficiently and fuel employee motivation and involvement.

CEINSA’s mission is to reinforce basic research as an essential element in the solidary generation of knowledge, the foundation for all long-term development, while creating a corporate culture of technological innovation firmly committed to greater competitiveness.

The importance of R&D+i policy in consolidating sustained long-term growth has been revealed on countless occasions in recent years.

Budget increases should also be earmarked to stimulate participation in R&D+i activities. The aim is to correct and even reverse the downward trend in R&D+i spending in years past. To this end, policies have been formulated to favour scientific research, development and technological development in general, coordinate scientific-technological tasks more efficiently and add not only to the quality of research but to the value of its applications.

CEINSA has sufficient capacity to undertake scientific research, development and technological innovation in areas of potential interest to the company with the intention of supplying the industry with new services, products or knowledge.

Based on a belief in the need to generate ongoing in-house R&D+i, the company seeks possible sources of funding and incentives to lighten the cost load inherent in these activities.

Innovating to contribute to business competitiveness is incumbent upon all company departments.

Innovation seeks continuous improvement, involving employees in the process to identify new productive, construction or organisational techniques.

The ultimate aim is greater process reliability, works quality and organisational efficiency, maximising client and social benefit.

Improvements in production

These improvements are pursued by adopting suitable technology, outsourcing, and optimising works from the standpoint of clients, firstly, but also of existing safety legislation, the environment and sustainability.

CEINSA uses new construction materials and techniques to enhance building energy efficiency and lower maintenance and conservation costs.

It monitors its works to ensure that actions are effective and perceived by the site management and clients. This information is of vital importance for the effective commissioning of the proposed innovation, as well as for its after-sale services.

CEINSA’s R&D+i projects are listed in the table below.