VIEW FROM THE TOP
NAICM WINNER TARGETING OTHER EMBLEMATIC PROJECTS HÉCTOR OVALLE President of COCONAL
Q: How does COCONAL differentiate itself among
safety and ensure we provide the optimum equipment for
construction firms in Mexico?
personal protection and the safety of our staff.
A: Hard work, quality and commitment. I believe this industry
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requires companies to provide a remarkable added value,
Q: What is the importance of the material banks and how
not only by doing things well but by delivering a useful
did you secure them?
product that adds value. Our goal is to execute our projects
A: First, it is necessary to carry out a general inspection
with the best quality and with a strong social component
with geologists in the field. Once we have located the
that will benefit the market. Our levels of competition at
quarries, we negotiate with their owners. We are managing
an internal and external level are high but I believe that
30 tezontle quarries with volcanic foam and 25 rock
many of our competitors have neglected efficiency and
quarries. Each one has a specific process for exploitation.
struggle with corrupt, wasteful practices and poor quality.
For example, for the rock, we use explosives, while tezontle
Conversely, we stand out by always remaining transparent
is extracted with tractors.
and providing a quality service, as our main focus is in creating suitable infrastructure, not only in making money. The construction industry in Mexico is experiencing a crisis rooted in the disappearance of big Mexican companies and enhanced by the generalized belief that construction is an endeavor that can be managed by any professional, even those who are not qualified as civil engineers. Mexico lacks compliance with the professional law, both in the private and public sectors. To build infrastructure, experts with the
The Toluca-Valle De Bravo highway concession was designed, completely developed and funded by COCONAL, representing a MX$1.3 billion investment
required technical skills are required to solve the problems that may arise. Our company stands out due to its adequate
Q: Apart from NAICM, what other emblematic projects
channeling of human resources, as all our employees are
is COCONAL targeting at the moment?
qualified and specialized in the discipline in which they work.
A: At an international level, we are bidding for a highway
For example, we hire our engineers right after they finish
in Guatemala and another in Costa Rica. Our market is in
their undergraduate degrees and provide incentives for
Central and South America, as we have found that the
them to obtain their diplomas. Likewise, we invest in their
US has very different market conditions that are rarely
education and training by sending them to local or foreign
friendly to Mexican firms. At a national level, we are
courses so we also foster a great loyalty within them.
concluding the last, 15km stage of the Toluca-Valle De Bravo highway concession. This project is very important,
Additionally, we stand out for having a comprehensive
as it was designed and completely developed by our
plan in key areas. First is our strategy for the adequate
company, representing a MX$1.3 billion investment, which
management of human resources. Secondly, our
was provided 100 percent by COCONAL. We expect to
environmental strategy includes about 15 environmental
inaugurate it by Oct. 17, 2017.
engineers and biologists who focus on waste management, recycling, environmental best practices, permit follow up and legal adherence. Likewise, we encourage our
COCONAL d evelops infrastructure projects with a focus
employees to celebrate World Environment Day and we
on timeliness and cost-effectiveness. Its services include
participate in reforestation by planting 40,000 trees per
constructing,
year, among other actions. We also have a high regard for
rehabilitation and transport of related machinery
concessions,
infrastructure
operation
and
