Florea Group
This year, Florea Grup, under the umbrella of which the Petra Pavaje brand operates, turns 30. Three decades since the foundation of the business was laid, which has today become one of the most important companies in Romania.
An evolution based on vertical integration and innovations
The Florea Grup story began with the opening of the first car fuel station. From here, the company gradually expanded its activity in the construction field. In 2005, it entered the production of concrete, and later became a contractor in civil and industrial construction. Over the years, Florea Grup has been involved in the rehabilitation of national and county roads, but also in the development of large-scale projects: highways, industrial platforms or shopping centers.
The brand also operates under the Florea Grup umbrella today. Petra Pavements, specialized in the production of paving stones and precast concrete products, with four factories strategically located nationwide — in Alba Iulia, Ploiești, Arad and Roman (Neamț County), as well as warehouses in Cluj Napoca, Sibiu and Deva. This development was recognized as the fastest expansion of a company in the field of construction materials, Florea Grup quickly becoming one of the most important manufacturers on the market. The four factories also represent development and innovation hubs, through certified construction laboratories that are constantly searching for solutions and products that best meet market requirements.
The vertical integration strategy that the company has adopted involves investments in the entire production flow: from its own quarry that ensures the extraction of raw materials, to sorting stations and the four production lines of precast concrete. In addition, Florea Grup ensures, through its own fleet of commercial vehicles, the logistics services related to this industry.
Tourism and integrated services
In addition to industrial and construction activities, Florea Grup has also developed a portfolio in the hospitality sector, owning Hotel Transilvania, Hotel Astoria and Hotel Cetate in Alba Iulia. In addition to accommodation, these hotels also offer complementary facilities for tourists, ensuring a complete package of services for both visitors and residents of the city: restaurants, terraces, conference rooms and a leisure center with sports fields and a water park.
The hotels in the Florea Grup portfolio were the first choice for many tourists, but they are also a benchmark for quality and hospitality, winning prestigious trophies at competitions such as "Top Hotel Awards" or "eTravel Awards".
Florea Community Group
For over three decades, the company has been supporting social and environmental responsibility initiatives. Florea Grup owns one of the largest fleets of fully electric cars in Romania, electric charging stations, as well as 7 of its own photovoltaic parks that ensure up to 45% of the energy autonomy of the respective work points. "In harmony with nature" is a registered trademark of the company, and a reference project in this direction was the campaign to plant the 42.000 seedlings on an area of 9 hectares in Alba County.
Community involvement means more than just reducing your carbon footprint. Florea Grup is an important internship partner for high school and university education institutions, offering internships and interactive workshops to an impressive number of students. Furthermore, the company supports sports activities, organizing or supporting several cycling, running, tennis and volleyball competitions.
A company about people
Florea Grup and the companies in its group mean ensuring over 800 jobs, ethical partnerships and fair working conditions.
"These 30 years represent for us the confirmation of a bold vision and the work supported by an extraordinary team. Florea Grup is a story written by each employee, through the knowledge they brought, their ideas and their involvement. We look to the future with optimism and continue to support the values that define us: innovation, quality and responsibility towards customers, partners and community."
IMPORTANT MOMENTS IN THE COMPANY'S HISTORY
The 30 years have brought together many moments worth mentioning. Some have an economic impact, others were events that strengthened the team or consolidated work processes. The most important of them are summarized below.
Florea Group establishment
The entrepreneurial spirit of the two brothers, Marcel and David, was inherited from the family. So it was only a matter of time before it was their turn to start a small business, and that happened in 1996, in Alba Iulia. For two young people under 25, it seemed like an ambitious idea, but hard work and perseverance brought them to where they are today.
The first Florea Oil gas station
At the exit from Alba Iulia, in the town of Sântimbru, was the location of the first Florea Oil gas station. Today, the Florea Oil network has 10 gas stations throughout the territory of Alba County, more precisely in Alba Iulia, Blaj, Ocna Mureș, Aiud, Câmpeni, Sântimbru, Mihalț, Zlatna and Șard. The stations are also present in rural areas, which brings important help to agriculture and tourism in the area.
Turnover reaches 1 million Euros
With an upward trend since its establishment, Florea Grup reaches a turnover of 1 million Euros in just two years since its debut. In addition to fuel distribution, the company also carries out projects in the construction field, which will become its core business for the years to come.
Florea Taxi establishment
The year 2003 marks a new stage in the company's development, which also begins to operate in the field of passenger transport. Florea Taxi is set to be one of the most innovative taxi companies in Alba Iulia, being the first to launch a mobile application, and later adding hybrid cars to its fleet, which reduce the carbon dioxide footprint by up to 90% compared to a car running on fossil fuels.
The first concrete station in Alba Iulia
The concrete station in Alba Iulia is integrated into a construction materials production complex from which, in addition to all standardized assortments of concrete, screeds and mortars, asphalt mixtures and natural and crushed, sorted and washed mineral aggregates can be delivered. The following years brought with them the inauguration of new stations in the neighboring counties: Cluj, Sibiu and Hunedoara. In order to offer complete services to customers, the stations are complemented by the transport concrete mixer division and the fleet of concrete pumps.
Inauguration of Hotel Astoria Alba Iulia
Style, refinement, luxury, elegance, prompt, discreet and quality services – this is how the Astoria Alba Iulia hotel can be described in a few words. Set in a quiet area, the location has become known for the generous green spaces surrounding the building, for the quiet terrace and, last but not least, for the restaurant and ballroom that can host events for up to 350 people. Access is extremely easy directly from DN1.
Inauguration of asphalt plant
The construction activity was supported by the investment in a modern factory for the preparation and production of asphalt mixtures. The quality of these materials complies with national and European standards, being used as raw materials both for the company's own works and for third parties. A bituminous emulsion preparation station with a productivity of 6 tons/hour completes the asphalt mixture factory and produces acidic and basic bituminous emulsions, thus ensuring the possibility of applying cold technologies in the construction, maintenance and repair of roads.
The company reaches 500 employees
Along with the development of the fields of activity, the company also grew numerically. The threshold of 500 employees was reached in 2013, the following years bringing even more people into the Florea Grup team. And if one had to choose a single element that ensured the course of the 30 years of activity, one would certainly choose the passion of these people, regardless of the field of activity in which they work. From cashiers and cleaners, to top directors and managers, each one has contributed to making Florea Grup the company it is today.
Almaș stone quarry
The stone quarry in the Apuseni Mountains ensures full control of the production flow, starting with the stone extraction stage. This gives the opportunity for a controlled manufacturing process, with finished products of the highest quality.
Hotel Transylvania Opening
After a 2-year rehabilitation process, Hotel Transilvania reopened its doors as a luxury location in the center of Alba Iulia. Notable for the comfort offered by its modern rooms, but also for the quality of its services and restaurant products, Hotel Transilvania was awarded the Top Hotel Awards Gala in 2016 and 2018 as one of the best independent 4* hotels in Romania and took first place in the ETravel Awards in 2017.
Inauguration of Florea Paving
On June 5, 2017, the company launched the precast concrete division, under the name Florea Pavaje, following an investment of 10 million Euros. This transformed Florea Grup into one of the few construction companies in Romania that produces its own main raw materials that go into the composition of roads, which allows it to guarantee the quality of the works and compliance with deadlines.
Astoria Pool Park opening
On the 10th anniversary of the inauguration of the Astoria Hotel, the complex becomes even more attractive with the newest and most modern water park in Alba Iulia. From the architecture of the pool to the filtration systems used, everything was designed to offer customers a safe and attractive relaxation space. The pool, with a surface area of 336 square meters, has heated water. The most anticipated surprise was the two slides, one speed, 20 meters, and another that winds along a length of 60 meters. Astoria Pool Park also offers the possibility of practicing outdoor sports, hosting national beach volleyball competitions.
National expansion through a new precast production unit
The inauguration of the Petra Pavaje factory in Ploiești meant the company's national expansion. A Show Room of over 5.500 sq m was also inaugurated within the factory, the largest of its kind in the country. The area will offer aesthetic and practical solutions for exterior design, making it much easier for customers to interact visually and tactilely with the products. The Show Room will be open non-stop for visiting purposes. In parallel with the investment of over 10 million Euros in the new factory in Ploiești, the company has also allocated resources to the rebranding campaign, with the products now being marketed under the name "Petra Pavaje". The new brand supports the objective of national expansion, with a fresh image that aligns with the company's philosophy.
Inauguration of Petra Paving Arad
On September 23, 2021, the third Petra Pavaje factory was inaugurated, located in Vladimirescu commune, Arad county, following an investment of over 10 million euros. Considered the most modern precast concrete factory in the west of the country, the unit has a capacity of 6.000 sq m/day and produces paving stones, curbs and garden elements, CE and ISO certified. State-of-the-art German technology, efficient logistics and low environmental impact consolidate Petra Pavaje's position among the largest manufacturers in Romania, while the factory also provides 70 jobs.
Inauguration of Petra Paving Roman
In 2022, the fourth Petra Pavaje precast concrete factory was inaugurated in Roman, an investment of over 10 million euros that consolidated Florea Grup's position as the fastest-growing company in the construction materials sector. The new unit completes the network of factories in Alba Iulia, Ploiești and Arad, raising total investments to over 40 million euros and confirming the group's accelerated development strategy at national level.
PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
The company's development was organic, with each stage complementing an already consolidated business. Even though development plans were intensively analyzed, most of the time there were unexpected factors, and the situation in the last year is the most conclusive example in this regard. Development decisions were thoughtful and bold at the same time.
The stability of the company has always been an important factor when making a new investment. But perhaps even more important was the know-how, that is, the expertise in the field. And this asset offers an undeniable competitive advantage, given the 30 years of experience that Florea Grup has acquired. But the most important factor that ensures development is the team behind a brand: the passion they put into their work and the synergy that is created between its members.
All this creates the premises for sustainable growth, which Florea Grup has set for itself for the coming years. The main direction of development will remain the construction sector, both through infrastructure works and through the precast concrete division. The company is one that serves the entire country, so the objective is to strengthen our position as a national player in the construction market.
The investments of the next period will focus on the development of the precast concrete segment. Petra Pavaje factories operate as open innovation hubs in this industry. Supported by our international partners, we are always looking for solutions to best meet market demands. We have invested in new technologies on the market to obtain colors and textures that differentiate us among paving manufacturers. Splitting, antiquing or waterproofing surfaces are just some of the improvements made to our production lines. We have our own laboratories at each production unit where we constantly test raw materials and products, to ensure their increased quality.
Florea Grup thanks all the employees, customers and partners who have been with us for this quarter of a century and for providing the opportunity to demonstrate that together we can achieve successful projects! May the years to come continue to bring us the most prosperous collaboration possible!
