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Our overseas market is crucial to our business
2010-09-15 17:24
Do you have a building or development project in mind? Contact MF3A here
André Gala is Managing Director of construction firm MF3A, responsible for many significant projects in the region. CityOut went to interview him.
CityOut: Can you tell us a little about your company? How long has it been going, and how many people do you currently employ?
André Gala: Of course. Our business has evolved very quickly. MF3A came into being eight years ago from a simple idea but with very precise specifications in terms of modernity and excellence. Our purpose is to create buildings and public works of very high quality; we keep all aspects, from design to finished details, in-house.
Our permanent staff of 50 operates in combination with highly specialized partners, bringing our "strike force" to about 100 people. The challenge is to provide our customers with a rigorous business expertise with real savoir faire. Today, we are easily located by googling 'mf3a' or by going directly to mf3a.com
CO: What are your most frequent building challenges in terms of both technical plans and regulations?
AG: Ironically, the real difficulties come from neither of these. Mastery of the technical side is a given - as well as knowing one's possibilities and limitations. As an engineer myself I strive to continually provide the technical framework that marks us out as different from other companies.
Nor do I think regulations are an obstacle: they're necessary, and generally speaking well-formed and scalable. On the other hand, it's regrettable that standards, regulations and requirements are so poorly distributed and badly understood.
Obviously, our work is difficult: any real estate project whatsoever can quickly become a terrible nightmare without the continual investment of the whole team, but it is our job and we would not change it for anything!
CO: Much has been made of the economic crisis. Has it affected you, and to what extent? And do you feel we are coming out of it?
AG: In reality, the crisis has not directly affected our business, though of course we have felt a certain "tension" in the market but really any decline in activity. The majority of the trade hasn't had any serious problems. Sadly some businesses failed, but those which did were either weak or ill-adapted or already on the way out.
I think our region is rightly regarded as having value as a refuge - and this crisis has had the merit of bringing new investment in brick and mortar. And what better place to invest than buildings in this region - with sun, sea-view and re-sale all assured?
CO: What accomplishment are you most proud of?
AG: The Château des Terrasses in Cap d'Ail (above), which received the Heritage Blue Riband for best reconstruction in the region. It was a real team challenge - and champagne is so much better when it's drunk in company!
CO: There's a great deal said about the enthusiasm of overseas customers for Monaco and its region. Do you think this contribution is crucial? And can you estimate what percentage of your business it represents?
AG: Our business is structured around three effectively equivalent strands. We work within Monaco for the Monegasque state and some private customers in renovating apartments; in France for the French state and also private clients in construction of villas of high quality; and overseas. Foreign clients therefore represent almost a third of our business - vital from all points of view.
CO: From a personal point of view, what is it about living and working here that is its greatest attraction?
AG: We are fortunate to live in a unique part of the world, combining all the great aspects of nature, culture, gastronomy and even people. The only problem is finding time to enjoy it all!
Maurice Lubatti