Transparency In Tendering: How It Works At Sintek As with any type of construction project, heavy-industrial plants come in all shapes and sizes. For that reason, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to preparing a proposal in response to a request for tender. However, with over a decade’s experience, the Sintek Group has established tried and tested processes for handling complex tender documents. So when a 500-page tender document does arrive at our office, we know how to handle it in the most efficient way. In this blog post, we provide an overview of a typical proposal process, and demonstrate how our team collaborates to ensure that we take account of the most detailed specifications and customer requirements. Five Key Areas When it comes to preparing a proposal for a large and complex industrial build, such as a cement factory, we ensure we address five essential areas: Basic Engineering Detail Engineering Electrical Engineering Permissions And Licencing Project Execution To avoid instability, safety concerns, negative environmental impacts, and costly repairs or alterations further down the line, we are well aware that any site for a new industrial plant requires proper engineering, design, planning, preparation, transport, construction and documentation. Where the project construction ground does not meet the required engineering performance standards, soil improvement works take place to mitigate factors such as permeability and compressibility. Getting this right is crucial to the success of a build. We’ve been involved in projects where before the work began, millions of dollars were spent on soil improvement. Whilst the engineering phases speak for themselves, ensuring the correct local permissions and licencing are in place is also essential for getting the project off the ground. In general, around 90% of these requirements are our customer’s responsibility, with the onus is on us, to check everything is in order before construction begins. Detailed Requirements When we’re handed a 500-page tender document, it goes without saying that any worthwhile response includes thoroughly detailed technical requirements. So how do we tackle it? Well for starters, as a global company, we drill down to procurement costs, for things such as raw materials, based on local prices. Through our network of local consultants, we negotiate the best prices on skilled labour and make checks regarding legal and regulatory compliance. We also factor-in our own supervisory leaders who can oversee international projects and ensure that every build conforms to our high internal standards. After all, every project carries our signature, and our long-standing reputation. That’s why we’re also committed to meeting applicable standards in environmental and social governance (ESG) Working at this level of detail in order to prepare a winning proposal requires a team of up to 60 people specializing in different areas, from engineering to legal and finance. Unsurprisingly, it also takes time, and only after our engineers have studied the tender can we begin to estimate the cost. However, the strength of our network means we can leverage existing, local relationships to bring our customers the best deal. But let’s not forget that we’re dealing with huge quantities here. In a recent project, 80,000 cubic meters of concrete and 18,000 tonnes of steel was used – making it bigger than a small town. For that reason, a typical tender for an industrial plant takes around 8 weeks to prepare. However, with our global network, we’re able to bring that down to around 6 weeks. As soon as a bill of quantities (BOQ) is prepared, we’re able to calculate the estimated costs of a project. Making use of our logistics arm, we can also accurately estimate delivery costs, using the most up-to-date information on the availability of products and materials. This means we can fine tune our pricing and scheduling right across the project, covering off multiple areas including logistics, and erection – upfront costs which typically run into millions of dollars. Commercial And Technical Offers Clearly, preparing a proposal in response to the tender documents for a heavy industrial plant is a huge and complex task. We also produce two kinds of offer: a technical proposal explaining all the items and work technically, and a commercial proposal containing detailed financial details. In order to produce a commercial offer, we have to not only plan but also provide foresight into the price fluctuations of material within a given time period. There’s a lot to consider, and much of the pricing depends on multiple variables which are outside our control. However, in the long run, this careful preparation takes the pain out of the process for the customer and investors because everything is transparent from the get-go. With 30 to 40 people having an input on a proposal, including lawyers, engineers, and economist, it is most definitely a collaborative effort on our part. It’s also worth remembering that at this stage, there’s still no guarantee that we’re going to win the contract. Typically, there are between 3 and 6 companies competing for the same tender. That’s why, at Sintek, we aim to prepare the most transparent and detailed offers. Sintek has over a decade of experience in preparing offers, so in newer markets, we can leverage experience from within the group to help with quality assurance, quality control, meeting design criteria, and oversight of engineering processes. Rounds Of Tendering In a world where we’re used to having everything on-demand, it can be hard to appreciate the length of time it takes to prepare an offer, especially when there are three rounds of tendering and a tight timeline. There’s no question that putting together proposals for a project, such as a cement factory, is a long and involved process which requires inputs from people across a range of disciplines. For a company like Sintek, putting together three rounds of proposals on this scale is a high-risk but high-reward activity. It’s fair to say that most companies probably win around 10% of their tenders, and often times projects shrink due to budgetary constraints. However, for Sintek it’s part of our DNA to take pride in our construction projects. We care about giving our customers the best value and seeing a project through to completion and in line with customer specification and expectations. Building a heavy-industrial plant in Europe? Let’s have a conversation. 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In any industry, reputations are easily made and easily broken. This is especially true when companies expand into new territories and global markets. Even for a long-established business with a reputation like the Sintek Group, it’s still important to deliver exceptional customer value, every time, to every customer, everywhere in the world. Building heavy industrial facilities, like cement factories, is a complex process with multiple moving parts which needs a multidisciplined team in order to carefully handle every phase, from the initial tendering to handing over the keys to a brand new turnkey facility. At Sintek, customer value lies at the heart of what we do. Here are four ways we aim to achieve that:1. Close Customer RelationshipsBy anyone’s standards, designing, engineering, and constructing a heavy industrial plant is a huge undertaking. Most clients approach us with a predetermined, but estimated budget for their build, and a typical tender runs to 500 pages. The Sintek team gets involved in the process from the very begining, going through every detail in order to understand exactly what’s required and collaborating with our customers to ensure their project becomes a reality. This extends from our engineering team right the way through to our project managers. Our offer preparation team aren’t just good at pushing products, the strength of our global network means they understand what we offer, and how it can take the pain of the process for our customers. Yes, we have a pre-existing reputation for high-quality industrial construction projects, but we don’t rely on reputation alone to keep customers happy. Through our collaborative ways of working, customers can get as involved or as hands-off as they wish. A closer working relationship with our customers leads to better value for them, especially if we need to adapt pricing to fit a revised scope.2. Transparent And Realistic PricingWe know that putting a large-scale industrial construction project out for tender requires detailed and thorough preparation, so we aim to deliver the most cost-effective solution for your budget. However, the impact of the global pandemic, war in Ukraine, and problems with supply chains in China mean that we have to be realistic and upfront about the true costs of materials and labour in different parts of the world. We take a consultative approach to our customers needs, and we’re realistic about the costs. Suppliers’ prices change daily, so estimates from the previous year are almost certainly out of date by the time we prepare an offer. In addition, the global demand for cement production is booming, so essential materials for building cement factories, such as cement itself, steel, motors, and electrical parts are facing huge demand and limited supply. For materials such as copper, we’re seeing price rises of up to 40%. For large companies, the different levels of authorization needed to increase budgets in line with these cost fluctuations means that getting the go ahead can take time and create friction in the construction process. Sometimes the need to reduce costs leads to a reduction in scale. However, it’s worth remembering that for Sintek our level of involvement, and the time it takes to manage your project, are the same, regardless of scale.3. Source Skilled LabourWhen it comes to the true cost of construction, our prices are determined by suppliers and labour costs, which vary greatly in different parts of the world. Our operations in Türkiye have a ready-made workforce with a reputation for high-quality workmanship. However, to comply with regulations, this workforce is not transferable to places like the UK and US, so we use our extensive network to source skilled labourers. Due to fluctuations in exchange rates and the relative strength of a particular country’s economy, we generally find that using local talent is not so competitive , which we take into account when estimating the cost of subcontractors. Our customers trust us to get the best prices for materials and labour. But they also understand that quality comes at a price. Using our deep and extensive network, we prefer to work with recommended subcontractors for international projects, rather than simply searching for them online, so we can be sure we get the right people for the right project, and meet the same exacting standards as our operations in Türkiye. For our customers, we act as trusted advisors drawing upon our established and experienced network, wherever we are in the world.4. Expert Project ManagementWhen you’re dealing with the construction of a heavy industrial plant, there’s a lot that can go wrong. Mistakes can be costly, both in terms of time, money, and even human life. With a turnkey solution from Sintek BV, every detail of your plant’s specification is handled for you, and we’re transparent from the get-go about the time it takes, and the ever-changing labour and materials costs associated with a highly-complex build on an industrial scale. No-one likes to hear that costs have gone up, but at Sintek BV we always aim to be transparent and realistic about global supply and demand, collaborating closely with our customers to provide the most cost-effective solutions for their budget.Find out more about our company and its commitment to providing exceptional customer value.
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No matter what heavy industry you’re in, whether it’s cement, iron, energy or steel, constructing a plant from the ground up, or expanding an existing site is a lengthy, complex, and expensive process. Many companies choose to project manage the construction process themselves, employing an internal team and working with multiple contractors. However, this approach quickly gets complicated, and the complexities begin to emerge, from conflicting deadlines, and changing priorities, to unforeseen delays. A simpler solution is to use a single contractor to handle everything from engineering to construction, so that you can simply ‘turn the key’ once the project is completed. That’s when an EPC contract from Sintek BV makes a lot of sense. What is an EPC contract? An engineering, procurement, and construction contract (EPC) is a type of building contract in which a single contractor is responsible for the entire project, from engineering through to construction. It’s typically used in large and complex projects, such as heavy-industrial plants. An EPC contract usually takes the form of a ‘turnkey contract’. In construction and engineering, this means the customer only has to metaphorically ‘turn a key’ – like starting an engine – to begin their operations. Essentially, on completion, the facility is ready to go straight out of the box. Similar to a ‘design and build’ contract, an EPC contract is a single contract which covers the procurement and construction of the project. The key difference is that with an EPC contract, the contractor also handles the design and engineering, with minimal input from the customer, as opposed to producing an initial design and putting it to tender. Why choose an EPC contract? EPC contracts are commonly used in large-scale engineering and infrastructure projects where fixed costs and the performance are of greater importance than the external appearance of the build. There are many business benefits to using an EPC contractor for heavy-industrial building projects. Here are four competitive advantages: Cost certainty: You agree a fixed completion price alongside the completion date. This could be a lump sum on a cost reimbursable basis. Reduced risk: The EPC contractor is liable for the cost control, making the arrangement almost entirely risk-free for investors who have a detailed specification. Performance guarantee: A turnkey contractor is locked-in to an agreement specifying all the technical requirements to ensure the build is operation-ready. A single contact point: Working with multiple contractors can quickly become unmanageable. With a single contractor, there’s just one point of contact. Why is a Sintek BV turnkey contract right for you? Constructing a new plant is a huge investment and undertaking, so handing it over to a single contractor is a big decision. What you need is a trustworthy and experienced partner with a proven track record in handling large-scale, heavy-industrial projects. Thankfully, with our experience, expertise, and deep procurement pool, Sintek BV has all the bases covered for your next industrial project in Europe: Engineering: After the contract is signed, we take care of every level of engineering: mechanical, structural, and civil. Procurement: You may have preferred partners, but our extensive vendor list offers you cost-effective suppliers and subcontractors, including both main and auxiliary equipment. For example, on average, our labour costs are around 25% cheaper. Construction: When it comes to on site health and safety, Sintek has an enviable record offering complete oversight, and no exceptions to external and internal standards. We’re a safety-first contractor. Sintek has extensive experience of engineering and constructing heavy industrial plants. And we can tap into a global network of suppliers and labourers to find the most efficient and cost-effective solutions for your project. You can find out more about our services in Europe through our head office in the Netherlands
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Whether it’s due to the booming market or ever-tightening greenhouse gas emissions targets, choosing to upgrade your cement plant is a major business decision. And any cost-effective solution requires strategically planned delivery in order to minimise disruption to your operations. No matter where a cement plant is based in the world, localised fluctuations in supply and demand, alongside continually-evolving legal and regulatory frameworks mean cement factory operators need to keep pace with change, or better still, ahead of the curve. We take a closer look at the two most common reasons to upgrade your operations. Increased Capacity When demand outweighs supply, you know it’s time to increase capacity. By 2025, it is forecasted that global demand for cement is expected to rise by around 2.9% annually to reach an estimated 4.7 billion metric tons. This demand is due to increased urbanisation, and large-scale infrastructure projects, predominantly sited in Asia and Africa. To maintain market share, upgrading your existing plant offers competitive advantages and economic benefits. Here are four reasons to upgrade: 1. Improve the accuracy of processing technology and cement production 2. Use updated equipment to drive efficiencies in production 3. Increase production line automations to cut production times 4. Optimize production to reduce wastage and become more energy efficient. Improved Sustainability With every business in the world needing to comply with ever-tightening greenhouse gas emissions targets, and environmental regulations, it’s important for the cement industry to find more sustainable solutions. At present, the industry accounts for around 7% of global CO2 emissions. CO2 emissions occur at the process stages of cement production, so this is where we find the biggest opportunity to reduce emission and improve energy efficiency. This includes the transportation of raw materials and products, the burning of fossil fuels, and the use of electrical energy. Emissions vary depending on a number of factors, including: cement production technology the quality of raw materials and additives transportation type use of waste and energy efficiency fuel usage Thankfully, there are a number of ways the industry can reduce carbon emissions. Here are three viable approaches: Firstly, carbon capture and storage can stop CO2 from reaching the atmosphere. Research shows that this could capture up to 90% of emissions in cement production. Secondly, cement production releases heat. Waste heat recovery can be used to produce carbon dioxide-free energy electricity. Thirdly, clinker-free or ‘novel’ cements could help to massively reduce carbon emission alongside clinker substitutions which reduce dependence on energy-intensive clinker production. A Greener Future For The Cement Industry The cement industry is facing a real and ongoing challenge, and there’s no easy way forward. On one hand, cement plants need to increase capacity to meet global demand for concrete. On the other hand, cement producers must find ways to drastically reduce carbon emissions. Sintek’s deep respect for people and the planet means we’re focussed on leaving behind a greener world for future generations. That’s why we’ve established Minerva Engineering, a research and development company exploring possible solutions that will reduce the carbon footprint of the cement industry. Right now, Minerva Engineering is examining grinding efficiency and calcined clay production technologies, with a focus on reduced energy consumption. Learn more about the valuable work being carried out by Minerva Engineering.
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When it comes to building or upgrading a heavy-industrial plant from the ground up, there’s a lot to consider. Ensuring you’ve got everything covered from engineering through to procurement takes time and resources. For that reason, many companies choose an EPC contract and a turnkey solution. Taking out an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract means everything is handled for you. And you can rest assured that by the end, you simply need to ‘turn the key’ to get your operations up and running. However, at Sintek BV we know that handing over a major investment to a single contractor can be a daunting prospect because it puts the responsibility to get it right firmly in their hands. What if something goes wrong? That’s why at Sintek BV, we take a customer-first approach to plant construction, giving you complete peace of mind and delivering your project to your desired specification and to the highest standards. What is a customer-first approach to construction? A customer-first approach to construction puts the customer front and centre of everything we do. Backed by years of industry experience, we aim to anticipate customer needs, and deliver first-class customer experience (CX) at every step of the process, from the engineering stage right through to handing over the keys to your new facility or upgrade. In this way, we go above and beyond, working in collaboration with our customers to ensure project delivery is on spec and on time. How do we do it? Here are three ways we provide a customer-first approach: Provide cost-effective construction For investors, project management can become problematic when you have an internal team managing multiple contractors. The sheer scale of this type of project means there are often complications, conflicting deadlines, and unforeseen delays. The costs soon add up. At Sintek, we’ve been handling heavy-industry projects like yours for over 10 years. So when you take out an EPC contract with us, you automatically get engineering expertise as standard. You also have the benefit of our global procurement network, through which we can obtain the best prices for materials and labour to suit your budget and requirements. Ensure regulatory compliance Large-scale industrial construction projects carry an inherent risk of danger. Getting health and safety wrong can lead to loss of life or a negative impact on the environment. As part of our customer-first approach to heavy industry construction projects, we have a safety-first approach to construction. What does that mean? Firstly, we put our HSE and Quality Management Policy at the forefront of every project. From the very start, we place operational risks under tight control, protecting ourselves and everyone around us. We also carry out our activities by strict observation of safety measures for both our employees and the environment. Ongoing monitoring also ensures the working environment remains safe. We’re a safety-first organization, and we’re extremely proud of our outstanding on-site safety record. Secure sustainable solutions Since the Netherlands and other European countries signed the UN Climate Agreement, all heavy industry facilities have been planning new investments to fulfil the emissions requirements, reduce the carbon footprint of operations, and help save the planet. At Sintek, we respect the environment and people. Our main priority has been, and always will be, to leave a liveable and greener world for future generations. That’s why we established a research and development company to develop projects that will reduce the carbon footprint of heavy industry. Currently, Minerva Engineering is working on grinding efficiency and calcined clay production technologies, with a focus on reduced energy consumption. In addition, our strong internal team and solution partners have extensive knowledge of industrial installation, engineering, and consulting services. That means all of our turnkey projects are built with the latest technology, so you can be sure your facility is future-proof. Customer-focussed service every time When you build with Sintek, our professional team is with you every step of the way, with a 24/7 service to meet our customers' expectations, and specific and flexible solutions for your heavy-industry construction project. Find out more about our commitment to customers by watching this short video: https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xf6FAgJG9Os
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For over 17 years, Sintek has been at the forefront of developing industrial facilities in Türkiye and the rest of the world. The Netherlands office was established in 2021. Our name might be synonymous with cement plants, but in recent years, Sintek has been behind some of the world’s largest heavy industrial projects in energy, steel, and iron. Offering investors a one-stop shop for the construction of entire industrial facilities, from engineering through to construction, Sintek provides a uniquely streamlined turnkey solution. Turnkey industrial plant projects from Türkiye The company was first established in 2005 as an engineering, manufacturing, installation, and turn-key solutions firm in Ankara, Türkiye by founder-partner Onur Atakay. By 2011, Sintek had its first turnkey contract for a 4000 TPD cement plant. Since then, the company has continued to grow across Türkiye and the rest of the world – more recently making inroads into Europe. After quickly establishing a strong and reliable reputation for turnkey solutions in the cement industry, the company continued to grow, diversifying into related industrial sectors including energy, iron, and steel under its ‘Sintek Heavy Industry’ brand. Today, Sintek is a vibrant ecosystem providing investors with a turnkey solution for building industrial plants. End-to-end solutions for heavy industries Sintek is an end-to-end solutions provider on an industrial scale, solutions which mean we handle everything from A to Z. We work to understand our customer's specific needs, combining our exceptional standards with knowledge of the relevant regulatory requirements involved with every project, both on a local and international level. The beauty of our solutions is that due to our expansive global network, we’re able to source cost-effective labour, materials, and equipment. So rather than requiring an entire team to handle, negotiate, and align contracts with different aspects of your plant, we find the best prices on your behalf – saving you both time and money. Industrial construction built on customer satisfaction Building an industrial facility is complicated and time-consuming. With our turnkey approach, you can reduce the time it takes because you’re dealing with one company which handles everything. There’s no need to micromanage multiple moving parts, we put everything together on one project timeline. Not only that, we place customer satisfaction above all else, paying maximum attention to the high-quality fulfilment of all obligations on a schedule, and placing teamwork at the cornerstone of high quality construction. Project managing the construction of an industrial plant is complicated, but with Sintek, there’s no need to assemble an expensive in-house project management team. We work closely with relevant stakeholders using our combined knowledge and experience to provide a convenient and centralized solution. With Sintek, you get one point of contact and one team managing everything. Find out how we can help you expand your industrial facility – and help to make it greener – by getting in contact with us today.
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