Doka‘s decision to attack only the cut and cover tunnel market, ignoring the much larger bored tunnel arena, is born more of its experience than desire. Some 15 years ago, Doka bought a small French formwork manufacturer, Companie Français Blawn Knox (CFBK), which specialised in steel tunnel shuttering. The acquisition coincided with a construction recession in the company’s major trading countries – France, Switzerland and Germany – leaving the market fragmented and open to fierce, cut throat tendering. Doka faced stiff competition, especially from even smaller Italian manufacturers which provided cheap tunnel shutters for one off use. "Tunnel contractors want cheap, non- standard shutters and are willing to spend money later on when they need strengthening or repairing," explains Doka’s Ernst Pürrer. "Low cost above quality, which simply not our philosophy."
So the company abandoned tunnels totally in the early 1990s, though kept on CFBK as a regional office. Its return to tunnelling now, specifically to the cut and cover market, fits better, and Pürrer sees considerable potential. "There is a growing need, especially in Austria, Germany and Switzerland, for environmental road tunnels countering noise, intrusion and avalanches," he says. "Czechoslovakia and Hungary’s needs for better roads offer a particular growth market."This comes as welcome boost for Doka, which has faced mixed fortunes over the last few years. Its $315M annual turnover this year is up 4% on 2000, but this is a far cry from the average 16% annual turnover in the two previous years. Future growth is expected to remain around 4% and reflects the relative performances of two geographical trading regions which dominate opposing sides of the financial see-saw.
Germany has long been, and still is, Doka’s primary marketplace. Turnover grew rapidly, in direct relation to the country’s construction boom after early 1990s unification. That tidal wave has now dissipated, leaving Doka’s turnover down nearly 10% this year. And, with German business confidence currently at a low, prospects for next year look little better. Balancing this demise, Doka’s potential lies across the pond from Germany and Europe.
Four years ago, it took a 25% stake in US formwork manufacturer Conesco. Next year, that stake rises to 100%, matching, claims Doka, North America’s increasing preference for European style formwork technology. The country’s traditional light and small formwork modules, which often need strengthening in use, are now being superseded by Europe’s larger, heavier and more rigid sections. "We expect our current $45M US annual turnover to rise 25% next year, and to double within three," predicts group managing director Dr Reinhold Sübenbacher confidently.
