In an interview with *Egoist* magazine, Roman Velgush discussed the capabilities of aluminum structures, the advantages of tempered glass, and some unusual orders—such as the time he had to deliver glass structures to a cabin in the Carpathians by helicopter.

Roman Velgush is the founder of Alfa Pro. For 18 years, under his leadership, the company has been providing comprehensive design, manufacturing, and installation services for windows, doors, and facades made of aluminum profiles. The company’s portfolio includes hundreds of glazed architectural projects: Lviv Airport, car dealerships, shopping centers, new buildings, and private homes. And while aluminum profile products were once valued for their style and eco-friendliness, safety and thermal efficiency have now come to the forefront.

• • Roman, “Alfa Pro” is one of the largest manufacturers of aluminum structures in western Ukraine. How did you get started?

I’ve always been drawn to construction. I’ve been in the window industry since 1999, when I was an employee—the director of a factory specializing in the mass production of vinyl-clad aluminum windows. We also had aluminum windows, but only as an optional feature, and I saw the incredible engineering possibilities they offered, the freedom in creating various architectural forms! So I went my own way and began focusing specifically on aluminum structures.

• • Did you find the material that interesting?

Yes, it was an enticingly unknown path into something new. Just think of all the modern ideas that are born in architects’ offices! People now have access to the most beautiful designs from around the world; they show pictures to architects and want something just like that for themselves. And it is precisely the premium segment—aluminum structures—that makes it possible to build aesthetic and modern buildings of all kinds.

I’m confident that my team and I are helping to create a high-quality architectural landscape in Ukraine, bringing the country up to higher standards. Of course, it’s not an easy niche, but being involved in creating urban beauty is a great honor. Just recently, Naukov Street was full of vacant lots, and now it’s a beautiful environment where people live comfortably. And now I love my work even more—perhaps not with the same youthful enthusiasm as at the beginning, but with a sense of wisdom, having come to truly understand it.

• • What does the company consist of right now?

We have our own production facilities, a fleet of specialized equipment, and warehouse and office space. We employ specialists in various fields, including design engineers, so we handle orders through the entire production cycle using state-of-the-art equipment. We are based in Lviv, but we also serve neighboring regions and Kyiv.

You see, construction is usually a very long process, so several years can pass between the moment we install the profiles and when we finally adjust them and prepare them for use. A lot depends on proper installation and maintenance. That’s why we’re proud to have been successfully operating for 17 years and to always stay in touch with our clients.

• • You manufacture windows and doors from aluminum profiles…

That’s the short version. In reality, we offer all types of glass structures: ventilated facades, conservatories, glass partitions, and, of course, panoramic windows in every possible size. Manufacturing accounts for about 30% of the total work in the entire cycle, because the process is actually much more complex. I love the phrase “Engineers rule the world,” because design and engineering are the foundation of our work.

• • You mentioned the panoramic windows. I suppose it might be cold or dangerous in there right now?

Actually, not at all! Aluminum windows are highly energy-efficient and retain heat very well. Just imagine: one window is equivalent to 1.20 meters of a brick wall! What’s more, we now use tempered glass as standard—it’s extremely strong and protects even against blast waves. And if it does happen to break, it’s safe for people—the glass will simply fall to the ground in pieces rather than shatter. The glass shards also have special rounded edges, making them safe.

In the event of a full-scale invasion, it is crucial that glass structures are truly reliable and protect people’s lives, so I never agree to compromise on quality just to lower the cost of the product. We at Alfa Pro are very proud and principled when it comes to this issue, because your home is your fortress!

• • Which projects are you most proud of?

(laughs) Quite a few, actually—for example, over the past five years we’ve glazed and clad more than 100,000 m² and use over 100 km of aluminum profiles per year. But the first big project is always close to my heart! It was the Emerald Business Center on Petrushevych Square, and that project was ahead of its time. Of course, there’s Lviv Airport, as well as our preparations for Euro 2012—we built a training stadium in the Lychakiv district.

Building our own house also really shattered my preconceptions: since then, we’ve been preparing our clients’ windows for security systems—installing sensors—as a matter of course. That way, no one has to drill into our structures later, and our clients don’t have to worry.

Construction in the Carpathians, where the roads are rough, is one of our favorite challenges. Once we delivered structures to the mountain by helicopter, and another time—even by horse-drawn sleigh! Lately, we’ve been working a lot with B2C clients on projects for private villas and estates. And these are always very creative and modern projects, because building your dream home is a special stage in a person’s life. Every detail matters, and having reliable contractors by your side is essential!

• • What are your and the company’s current goals?

We are interested in entering Western markets, but the preparation process must be thorough. We want to enter as an established Ukrainian brand, not as part of a foreign company. It’s a difficult path, but enough with the inferiority complex! At Alfa Pro, we value our reputation, produce a premium product, and keep our word.