From factory relocation to heat recovery – How the world of industrial construction Is changing
How can an entire factory be relocated from one country to another? How can the heat generated in a data center be reused? How can a multi-year investment be planned so that it won’t be obsolete by the time it’s completed? The latest episode of KÉSZ Group’s Constructed Stories vodcast reveals behind-the-scenes secrets from the world of industrial construction - aspects we would hardly think to associate with the day-to-day operations of a factory.
In the latest episode of KÉSZ Group’s Constructed Stories vodcast series, Krisztina Bombera spoke with Csaba Gyetván, the host of educational programs showcasing manufacturing processes, and András Károlyi, KÉSZ Group’s Director of Industrial Technologies Business Unit. The episode, filmed at the group’s Industrial Park in Kecskemét, traces how technological advancements have shaped industrial facilities—from old factory buildings to today’s automated plants.
A building is designed to last for decades, but technology is constantly changing
From the outside, today’s industrial buildings often give little indication of the complex technology operating within them. One of the greatest challenges in their design is that while an industrial facility is built to last for the long term, the technology operating within it can change much more rapidly. Implementing a complex industrial project can take several years; however, during that time, manufacturing technology may advance, market demands may shift, or even the product itself may change.
In the automotive industry, for example, a plant is designed to last for many years, yet within just a few years, the types of powertrains required, the components that need to be manufactured, or the production lines needed can change fundamentally.
This poses a serious challenge for the designers and builders of industrial facilities; they must create a flexible infrastructure capable of keeping pace with technological change. It is no coincidence that a state-of-the-art production hall can continue to be used even when it is manufacturing a product completely different from what it was originally designed for.
When a factory is rebuilt in another country
In one of the episode’s special stories, experts from KÉSZ Group had to dismantle an operational plant so that it could be reassembled and made operational again in another country. This involved more than simply dismantling a production line; every element of the technology had to be precisely documented so it could be reassembled at the new location. The story clearly illustrates the complexity of the engineering task involved in building a modern industrial facility, where the building, the machinery, and the manufacturing technology are closely intertwined.
AI that can even heat a swimming pool
The impact of artificial intelligence on the built environment was also discussed. András Károlyi pointed out that the data centers supporting AI operations present challenges for the construction industry as well; in addition to housing the IT equipment, designing an appropriate cooling system is particularly important.
In the case of a data center, it is not enough to simply provide space for computer systems. High-performance equipment generates significant heat during operation, and dissipating this heat is one of the most important technical challenges. The example of data centers thus illustrates the same relationship as that of manufacturing plants: the technology operating within them determines the facility’s technical requirements.
With the right technical solutions, some of the heat generated can be utilized elsewhere. Csaba Gyetván cited an example in which the heat generated during data center operations is used to heat the water in a nearby swimming pool. In this way, energy that previously would have simply been dissipated becomes a useful energy source for another building.
In the factory of the future, people will no longer necessarily stand next to the machines
According to the interviewees, as automation spreads, fewer people will work directly next to the machines in the future, while programming, monitoring, and intervention will require complex expertise. Moreover, according to András Károlyi, it is no longer even necessary for engineers to be physically present, since some modern technologies can be accessed and controlled remotely.
The world of industrial construction holds even more surprising stories. In the latest episode of Constructed Stories, anyone interested in what goes on behind the walls of factories and how technology is transforming industrial facilities will get a taste of these and many other fascinating insights.
The full discussion on industrial facilities is available on the episode’s page: