2.9. Quality of service, About Budimex Group
2.9. Quality of service
[GRI 3-3] [Own indicator 3]
Caring for the highest quality of provided services is one of Budimex SA’s core values, and meeting the principle of due diligence in this area is guaranteed by the certified Integrated Management System operating in the company. It includes both a quality management system that complies with the requirements of ISO 9001 and a quality assurance system for design, development and production based on the AQAP 2110 standard, which specifies NATO requirements.
Uniform quality procedures apply during the company’s performance of all contracts. They regulate in detail the conduct of quality control at construction sites and the management of the quality of mineral and asphalt mixtures, concrete mixtures and aggregates. The relevant procedures also specify the rules for the procurement and use of individual raw materials at various stages of the construction process, and indicate the actions to be taken if deviations from the standard are found. The highest quality of contract performance is confirmed by numerous certificates and accreditations.
In 2023, day-to-day control of the quality of work performed and materials used, including in the context of the safety of building structures, was carried out by the Central Laboratory and 25 field laboratories owned by the company.
The Central Laboratory operates in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025 and has been accredited by the Polish Accreditation Center since 2013, with accreditation extended to the field laboratory in Szczecin in 2024 [1]. Accreditation ensures transparency and is objective proof that the organization operates in accordance with the best practices. The laboratory regularly participates in comparative inter-laboratory studies and proficiency tests, with the aim of constantly improving its testing methods and raising the level of its services. As part of its activities, it constantly cooperates with recognized testing bodies.
Budimex SA’s Quality Department conducts research and development activities and shares knowledge and experience, taking an active part in scientific conferences and publishing articles in industry journals. In addition, it provides technology consulting.
Budimex SA’s laboratories provide, among other services, the following:
- testing of asphalts and asphalt emulsions,
- testing and design of mineral and asphalt mixtures,
- testing of soil-binder and mineral-cement-emulsion (MCE) mixtures,
- soil testing,
- aggregate testing,
- testing of cements and cement mortars,
- testing of concrete mixtures and hardened concrete,
- diagnostics of asphalt and concrete pavements,
- field acceptance testing of road construction layers,
- geological exploration of the subsoil.
Tests and measurements are carried out by qualified personnel, using proven equipment and premises that meet environmental standards. Competent and experienced personnel and specialized equipment make it possible to provide laboratory services in accordance with the terms of contracts and technical specifications for the execution of individual work ranges.
An important part of the laboratories’ work is to strive to optimize the use of natural resources, in particular to analyze the feasibility of using recycled and waste materials in construction. To this end, among other things, new testing methods are being developed and implemented, an example of which is the Study of Crack Propagation (SCB), which is important for the possibility of using asphalt granules in asphalt mixtures. Care for the environment is also manifested by the laboratories’ use of energy from renewable sources. There are photovoltaic panels on the roof of the laboratory building, which, combined with a system for monitoring electricity consumption, significantly reduces the carbon footprint.
Achievement of the goal of continuous improvement of service quality is monitored by the quality conformance index, which in 2023 reached 96.3%.
[1] Its scope can be viewed at: https://www.pca.gov.pl/akredytowane-podmioty/akredytacje-aktywne/laboratoria-badawcze/AB%201414,plik.html.
