New Dimensions 2011 - Rhomberg Bau

2011
new
dimensions
Quality of life
Happy and contented_____________________ 7
Thoughts about quality of life
HOW TO CREATE QUALITY OF LIFE ____________ 14
The perfect home for every phase of life
Masterpiece of railway technology_____ 34
Brenner contracts piling up
The magazine of the Rhomberg Group

Contents
Editorial 3
News in brief 4 – 5
QUALITY OF LIFE
Focusing on what matters 6
Happy and contented ______________________________ 7
Statements on quality of life 8 – 9
Strategy: quality of life tomorrow and today 10 – 11
News from the life-cycle optimiser 12
Facility Management at Rhomberg 13
Current housing projects in Vorarlberg 14 – 15
Project developments in the Lake Constance area 16 – 17
Construction and civil engineering project reports 18
Selection of small construction sites 19
Refurbishment advice booklet 20
Diem factory converted and refurbished 21
Rheintal Resource Center offers
improved customer service 22
Two years of Rhomberg Recycling 23
Life-Cycle Tower, urban future with CREE 24 – 25
New nursery schools for Feldkirch 26
Keys for charitable housing handed over 27
Team-building: General Contractor for Housing 28
Masters study course:
Green Building & Life-Cycle Management 29
Human Resources news 30 – 31
Bahntechnik marketing HandraiLIT and ZOKA 32
Rhomberg Rail starts in Great Britain 33
At the Brenner: masterpiece in railway engineering – 34 – 35
Railway engineering: surveying and developing 36
Completion of large long-term BBW projects 37
Track Australia becomes Rhomberg Rail Australia 38 39
Rhomberg-Kalebozan – a success story 40
Goldbeck-Rhomberg expanding 41
Menegola AG full of power 42
Conversions & Renovations
starts operations in Switzerland 43
Housing projects in Switzerland 44 – 45
What the Accounts department does 46
Opportunity and risk management 47
The Rhomberg Environment Team 48 – 49
Review of events in 2010 50 – 51
17
34
45
climate neutral
printed
EDITORIAL| Published by Rhomberg Group, Mariahilfstrasse 9, 6900 Bregenz, Austria, Tel +43 5574 / 403-0,
Fax +43 5574 / 403-309, info@rhombergbau.at, www.rhombergbau.at, www.rhombergrail.com Photos Shutterstock (Cover),
Creative Learning, Dietmar Walser Photografy, Darko Todorovic, Nursery Schools Feldkirch Im Griesseler, Oberer Riegel and
Alvierstrasse, Rhomberg Group Responsible for the content Gabi Schnell Editor-in-chief Gabi Schnell Editorial team
Gabi Schnell, Elisabeth Frener, Simone Grabher, Susanne Dünser, Michaela Mölgg, Anna-Lina Kräutler, Sandra Hermes,
Sarah Krenkel, Diana Koplenig, Milena Simonovic, Stefanie Sutterlueti, Jakob Bonomo, Carmen Bösch, Karin Hubalek,
Jürgen Koblinger, Angelika Rhomberg, Madeleine Sargant, Marisa Rusch Concept and design die3, Public Relations
Agency, Dornbirn, Austria Printed on Galaxy matt Declaration pursuant to § 25 Media Act NEW DIMENSIONS is
published once a year; German circulation: 4,500 copies; English circulation: 1,500 copies

Making quality of
life possible
This last year has been a dynamic one. We have managed the commercial
downturn very well. We have been able to reduce our turnover. I am saying
"able" because to survive a reduction in turnover, a company needs to be
financially healthy. And that’s what we are, thanks to our solid capital base.
The motivation and innovative drive of our members of staff have moved us
on in big strides. However, we are not resting on our laurels but continuing
on our path.
26
There are huge challenges ahead of us. Ten years ago, our strategy already
included considerations regarding sustainability and efficient use of resources.
What is the price of planet earth? We don’t know its material value. But we all
agree that we need it to survive. Our planet can produce a huge output every
year (timber, CO 2
, fish). But we use up our ration of resources as early as
August in every year. You might say that from then on we live on credit*. How
long can that last? Our politicians would be in a position to set firm guidelines,
but climate conferences and similar actions seem to produce scant effects.
Initiative is called for. Currently, entrepreneurs are more or less punished for
giving people jobs. There should be less tax on work and more on energy and
in future, funding of the social security system should be linked to the use of
resources.
We all need to make our contribution. This is also true for the construction
industry with its enormous throughput of resources. It is responsible for 30 to
45 percent of resources used. While this is a big challenge, it is also the
biggest market opportunity and holds the potential for innovation in many
fields: efficient project management, partnering models, construction systems,
building materials, new solutions for mobility and logistics and, not least,
considerations regarding regional and local development.
We need to give answers. The Rhomberg group has been developing these
opportunities and potentials for many years. Our successful market position
is the result of the farsighted management of my father, Commercial Councillor
Walter-Heinz Rhomberg. Last October, after 47 active years, he retired from
his position as Managing Director of Rhomberg Holding but will continue to
give us his active support as Chairman of the Advisory Board.
Walking the path together. I am proud of all our members of staff, our partners
and our customers who continue with us on our ambitious path. It requires
basic trust in both ourselves and our fellow men. Highly trained members of
staff are the essential factor for success. In the Rhomberg Academy, in our new
Master study course and, not least, while learning on the job, our staff are
given the right opportunities for personal growth.
When we are able to recognise how things work, to handle increasing complexity
and to think holistically, we can create quality of life for all. Why not help,
and join the action!
Hubert Rhomberg
* Source: Mathis Wackernagel, Global Footprint Networks
Editorial | NEW DIMensIONS 3

News in brief
Away from site and desk
6 th Vorarlberger Hypo-BaUHeRRenpreis 2010 Distinction for Innovative Living
The Vorarlberger Hypo-Bauherrenpreis
(Vorarlberg Hypo Client’s Prize) has
been awarded every year since 1986
in recognition of forward-looking architecture
and exemplary cooperation
between clients and designers. This
year the winners were announced on
28 September 2010 in the Kulturbühne
AMBACH theatre in Götzis.
The international jury of four judges
awarded 10 entries with prizes and
16 with distinctions for impressive,
forward-looking buildings. Rhomberg
Bau and its project partner, architects
DI Hörburger/Kuess/Ritsch/
Schweitzer, received a distinction in the
housing category for the innovative
Sandgrubenweg residential development
in Bregenz.
Completion party for SandGRUBenweg residential development, Bregenz
This residential complex, the winner
of the Clients’ Prize and prizes for its
future-oriented design, mobility and
use of timber, attracted a great deal of
interest domestically and abroad.
We celebrated with a communal
completion party for all the owners and
tenants in September 2010. Three
fruit trees were planted as a symbol of
sustainability by the company directors
and representatives of the Owners’
Association.
New impetus from management changes at Rhomberg Holding GMBH
Kommerzialrat Walter-Heinz Rhomberg
(right) left the board of directors at
Rhomberg Holding GmbH in September.
He is moving to the Rhomberg
Group, along with DI Roland Jurecka
(left), where he will be Chairman of the
Advisory Board. As of 1 October 2010,
DI Hubert Rhomberg (second from the
right) and Mag. Ernst Thurnher
(second from the left) are in charge
of the company management of
Rhomberg Holding GmbH .
4 NEW DIMENSIONS | NEWS IN BRIEF

Social commitment – Rhomberg helps the Haiti earthquake vicTIMs
We were very upset by the images of
the earthquake in Haiti on 12 th January
2010. Operations to provide aid were
quickly mobilised. We at Rhomberg
gave a generous donation to the relief
organisation, “Neighbour in need”. Our
contribution financed medical aid, food,
hygiene articles, clean water, tents,
blankets and tools were also bought.
MüHLehof Uzwil SwitzeRLand only took 1½ years from contract award to handover
Contracts between Rhomberg Bau and
Credit Suisse for the construction of
the Muhlehof community centre were
signed in February 2009. Shortly
afterwards, we commenced work on
the demolition, shoring and excavation.
The foundation stone for the Mühlehof
was laid on 30 June. The handover to
the client took place after just under
15 months on 2 September 2010.
The Mühlehof is located in the middle
of Uzwil and will provide an important
centre for the community. Rhomberg
Bau AG is proud to have realised and
handed over on time a building so
important and special to the Uzwil
community with the architects Arson
AG and the various design consultants
on behalf of Credit Suisse.
Facility management — unforgettable barbecue for Rhomberg employees
The banks of the lakeside camping
site at Bregenz provided the perfect
setting for the Facility Management
Department’s traditional summer event.
55 Rhomberg employees from various
departments accepted the invitation to
the 6 th barbecue. A particular highlight
of this mid-summer July evening
was the team competition in which a
sought after challenge cup was
at stake.
The organisers accepted a well
deserved thank-you on behalf of all
the barbecue guests.
Ground-breaking ceremony for New Seeschanze Lochau Most of housing units sold
Organised by project partners
Rhomberg Bau and Schertler-Alge, the
official ground-breaking ceremony for the
residential development situated between
the Pfänder and Lake Constance took
place on 3 September 2010. Architect
DI Dietmar Eberle and Mayor Xaver
Sinz were invited to the celebrations as
guests. The last of the 95 residential
units are scheduled to be completed
between autumn 2012 and spring 2013.
NEWS IN BRIEF | NEW DIMENSIONS
5

December 1984: Walter Rhomberg
Contractors receives official State award.
Successful together: Walter Rhomberg and Walter-Heinz Rhomberg, seen here during an
excursion on Lake Constance, on the occasion of the forty year celebrations in 1978.
Quality of life – focusing on what is important
Kommerzialrat Walter-Heinz Rhomberg looks ahead and reflects on the last 47 years
“I never wanted to be anything else but
a master builder” says Kommerzialrat
Walter-Heinz Rhomberg with a smile.
For him, there simply wasn’t a more
attractive profession. In 1892 his
grandfather, Cornelius, founded the
company and managed it very successfully
until his death in 1912. His father
Walter (b. 1911) re-established the
construction company in 1938. Walter-
Heinz Rhomberg joined the company in
the third generation in 1963. He has
now served for 47 active years.
There are many stories from his life in
the business: some are stories of
success and some of failure, with strife
and worry, as happens in every business.
As of 1 October 2010, Kommerzialrat
Walter-Heinz Rhomberg retired from
the management of Rhomberg Holding
GmbH and became Chairman of the
Advisory Board. At the same time, his
son Hubert Rhomberg together with
Ernst Thurnher stepped into the role of
Managing Director of Rhomberg
Holding.
Maintaining a balance
“For an independent entrepreneur, it is
not possible to separate business life
from private life”, explains Walter-Heinz
Rhomberg. The two have to be kept in
balance. The time demands of the job
require a steady private life with a lot of
understanding – especially from one’s
partner.
When he was young, Rhomberg heard
a lot at the dinner table and learnt to
concentrate on the positive aspects
and to assess risk. That was not
always easy, as the risks in a construction
company in particular are “greater
than you would normally expect”. But
on balance the positive always won
out, which is the only reason why the
company has developed so well.
It is not easy to say exactly which was
his first working day, explains Walter-
Heinz Rhomberg. During the summer
holidays he and his siblings had to
work in the business for three to four
weeks. “We also earned a little money”
adds Rhomberg and recounts that he
was ten years old when he first visited
a building site – where a single-family
dwelling was being built. These
experiences were his foundation and
very instructive. Then in 1963 he
officially joined the company as
Assistant Site Manager. At that time the
Walter Rhomberg construction company
employed a staff of about 200.
From 1973 he was Managing Director
of the Rhomberg companies together
with his father, Kommerzialrat Walter
Rhomberg. Then for many years he
filled this role as sole Managing
Director. Later on, his son Hubert and
other long-serving members of staff
joined in the responsibilities. “For me,
and I believe for all Rhomberg members
of staff, it is fortunate that Hubert,
as the fourth generation, has taken on
the management in an extremely
active and innovative, socially responsible
and competent fashion.”
Motivation and
entrepreneURIal spIRIT
Core elements for success as an
entrepreneur are a long-term perspective,
analysis and focus, explains
Rhomberg. In addition, there has to be a
strong ability to make things happen
without which nothing comes about, and
staff who are motivated and who tackle
their tasks with entrepreneurial spirit.
Naturally it also needs a solid capital
base to guarantee the company’s
independence and ability to act. For a
manager to be able to perform his or
her duties over the long-term, it is
important that they are very healthconscious
and engage in regular sports
activities. For me this was also a guiding
principle.
pLeasURe in creation
“Naturally there are things that could
have been done better, but these are
now in the past.” Now Walter-Heinz
Rhomberg enjoys the fact that his daily
schedule is no longer controlled by a
long list of appointments – and that he
has time for his new task as Chairman
of the Advisory Board. And of course he
also enjoys more spare time.
In 1963 the young entrepreneur
Walter-Heinz Rhomberg wanted to
prove that Rhomberg Bau was the
number 1 in Vorarlberg, and one of the
top companies in Austria. Both of these
objectives have been achieved.
6
NEW DIMENSIONS | QUALITy of life

Happy and satisfied
Thoughts about quality of life
Ground-breaking ceremony at Götzis Village
Park in the summer of 1992.
Answers to some short
questions*
• As a child I always wanted to
become a master builder.
• The book I am currently reading:
Welt mit Zukunft (World with a
future, surviving in the 21 st century)
by Franz Josef Radermacher.
• Present-day heroes, for me, are
people who dedicate their lives to
social issues. For example, Bischof
Kräutler, who is receiving the
alternative Nobel Prize. These are
outstanding people with a special
commitment!
• I am most ready to excuse those
mistakes that are openly admitted
and not hidden.
• Motto: live and let live. Be tolerant.
*loosely based on the Proust Questionnaire
KR Walter-Heinz Rhomberg lives with his
wife Edith in Bregenz. He is an enthusiastic
golfer and skier and is very proud of his three
children, Thomas, Hubert and Cornelia and his
six grandchildren, who are a constant source of
pleasure and stimulation.
Interview with Walter-Heinz Rhomberg
by Anna-Lina Kräutler.
“Do you wish to roam farther and farther? See! The good lies so near.
Only learn to seize good fortune, for good fortune’s always here.”
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Are we happy – broadly speaking? Or are we lacking something?
What do we need to be happy? What creates the energy that drives
us? And what do we need to maintain this energy?
The science of happiness
Research into happiness is something that actually exists. There is the
Dutchman Ruut Venhooven who, for decades, has been trying to find
out what makes us happy and to provide statistical proof of it. Then
there are major opinion poll institutions and magazines, such as the
American Forbes Magazine, who publish their findings regarding the
"happiness of nations". According to those, the Danes are the world
champions of happiness. Austria is placed 14 th out of 155 surveyed
countries. Switzerland and Australia are both placed 8 th and Turkey is
ranked 103 rd . However, there is no place without potential for
improvement.
Thoroughly content
Do we really move between two worlds – the world of work and the
world of living? Or is it the relationships and feelings that impose this
division? How we feel in our professional relationships – with our
customers, colleagues and network partners also affects our feelings
and moods in the supposedly “different world”: sometimes we take
negative stress and dissatisfaction home with us. The number one
feel-good factor in the company is the social interaction between
colleagues. If the climate in the company is good, the company
obviously benefits. Satisfied and happy employees are more productive
and have a positive effect on company culture.
Quality of life
At Rhomberg we try to combine all those feelings, attitudes and
perceptions under the term “quality of life”
which affect our moods, our actions and thinking and through that the
quality of our work and our productivity. For us, people matter most.
With their strengths and weaknesses. Appreciating each other,
listening, responding to individual needs, friendly and trusting communication,
team spirit and loyalty in challenging situations are just some
of the elements that make up the corporate culture and climate at
Rhomberg. It involves responding to the needs of our staff, customers
and network partners and improving their quality of life in doing so.
That is part of our social responsibility. That’s our daily challenge. We
have asked our staff, customers and network partners to find out what
quality of life means for them personally: you will find the answers on
the next double page.
Anna-Lina Kräutler
QUALITy of life | NEW DIMENSIONS
7

“What, for you, does
quality of life mean?”
One question, twelve answers.
1 “Quality of life is based on a number of different
parameters: for me, the values of health, enjoyment,
gratefulness and contentedness are the
most important factors for quality of life – which
requires good sources of energy, industriousness
and a portion of luck. The vital sources for achieving
my ambitious aims in my private and business
life are my family, a successful and interesting
world of work at Rhomberg Bau for over forty
years, and fellow men with whom I can happily
share the beauty of nature, art and culture.”
Franz Goll, for many years Head of Department
for Cost Calculation and Contract Acquisition at
Rhomberg Bau, now retired
2 “Quality of life manifests with my family within
our own four walls. This summer, my quality of life
was somewhat reduced due to flooding which also
affected our apartment. For this reason, I could
truly empathise with those people in Pakistan who
lost their homes in the floods. Meanwhile, my quality
of life is back on track.”
Claudia Beer, Receptionist, Rhomberg Bau
3 “For me quality of life means to be able to get up every day in good
health and face the daily tasks, both in my private and professional life:
it means sharing life with a cherished person at your side and enjoying
pleasant and nice things in life every day. It means self-fulfilment and
making my vision a reality. To have a home where I feel comfortable. To
have a home which allows me to meet my needs and desires regarding
wellness and being sociable with friends.”
Gerhard Rauch, Managing Director of Walser GmbH, Rankweil
2 1
4 “I feel that my life has quality when I am content
with my situation. Contentedness is a mental attitude
one has to nurture on a daily basis by focusing
on the precious aspects of one’s life. Usually we
do the opposite and think of all the things we are
missing. That makes us feel that we are lacking
something. When we get that feeling of lack, the
quality of our own lives also seems to be lacking.”
Helmut Gassner, Head of Buddhist Centre Letzehof
3 5
5 “If I take a look at the world, I consider myself fortunate to
live in a country like Austria. We live in a socially and politically
secure environment, enjoy economic stability and have
been largely spared any natural catastrophies. This, for me,
is the best basis for experiencing quality of life and happiness
in my private and family life, as well as at work for 24
hours, 7 days a week.”
Andreas Eder, Head of Marketing & Corporate
Communication, ALPINE Holding GmbH
4 6
6 “Quality of life involves the sense
of having a task which I believe can
contribute to a better world. Material
values don’t really count, and neither
does the quick gratification promised by
consumerism. In addition, quality of life
involves the knowledge that I am rooted
somewhere in this world and that I live
in a social context that I can rely on.”
Hermann Kaufmann, Architect, University
Professor and Managing Director of
Hermann Kaufmann ZT GmbH
8 NEW DIMENSIONS | QUALITy of life

12 “From my own personal situation, I would say that ‘maturity’ can be a very
rewarding time of life. An important prerequisite is the absence of disease –
which is another way of defining health. The next point is to maintain a curiosity
and an interest and shared responsibility in this world, with its daily wonders
and catastrophies. Throughout my life I had so many different interests that I
never had enough time to follow them up outside my main profession. Nowadays
I can largely divide my time as I like and follow my own bio-rhythm; that
means staying awake until long after midnight, going to cultural events and
reading, reading, reading.”
Günter Rhomberg, former employee of Rhomberg Bau,
since 1981 President of Bregenzer Festspiele
11 “For me, quality of life means to have time for my family and
friends. And, if there is time, to have a few hours to myself, to slow
down and get some peace as an antidote to my work. Enjoying
the simple things in life, working in the garden, pottering about on
something creative, reading a good book, drinking a glass of wine
or cooking a meal for friends. And in between, simply being myself.”
Martin Summer, Head of Department for Projects and Location
Development, Rhomberg Bau
12 11
10 “For me, quality of life means first of all
that my family and friends are healthy. That is
the basis for all other aspects of life. A further
factor in quality of life is the opportunity for
being free to act independently and to find
self-fulfilment and achieve one’s defined
goals. When all this is in place, daily life can
be enjoyed without worry and stress.”
Osman Kabaetli, IMS employee,
Rhomberg Bau
8 10
7 9
7 “For me, quality of life means
that I can use of my time flexibly so
that I can satisfactorily coordinate
my passions, family and job
without worries about health and
survival. What I appreciate very
much is also that I can walk from
my home into nature to refresh my
energy.”
Agnes Thurnher, General Practitioner
and Occupational Physician
9 Quality of life from one to twelve: (1) Good health for the
whole family (2) Harmony in one’s private and professional
life (3) Financial security (not luxury), so that one does not
have to worry about one’s basic survival. (4) Friendships with
human values (5) A job with challenges, fun and recognition
(6) Having time (7) Sun (8) A living environment that is worth
living in (9) Living in harmony with nature (10) Safety (no
crime) in the private and work spheres (11) Political stability
(12) Mobility
Erich Wutzl, Daniela Regvart, Karl Gneis and Felix Jonkisch
(not in the picture), Vienna branch, Rhomberg Bau
8 “For me, quality of life means that I have a family
that is behind me and which supports me. Another
important aspect is health. And, that everything is
OK privately and at work. I was 23 years old when I
decided to start an apprenticeship with Rhomberg
Bau so that I would gain a different perspective and
can look positively to the future.”
Patrick Scheiber, Apprentice at Rhomberg Bau
QUALITy of life | NEW DIMENSIONS
9

Contented staff, happy customers AND successful projects?
SENSE
A small game:
You are given three wishes. What will you wish for? Note: world peace,
health, good fortune cannot be used.
How long did it take you to sort out your three wishes? To be
quite honest: I am still pondering. A difficult decision.
And now the million dollar question: what does a
company wish for?
Contented staff.
Happy customers.
Successful projects.
But questions remain: how can you tell that
staff are contented? How can we recognise
happy customers? And when is a project
successful? Again, question after question…
There are many studies whose authors have
thought about motivated employees and staff
satisfaction. Tips include such advice as “Are
you the boss? Then why not simply bring
rolls with you to the office once in a while”
to “Clear structures, clear tasks and clear
competencies give your employee a sense
of direction” through to “Trust is good, control
is better”.
I am convinced that these findings are all
correct – in different situations and taking into
account individual backgrounds. But they do not
apply generally. Of course, there are a few trendy
methods and tools. However, every situation needs
to be looked at individually.
For example, the Rhomberg group will intensify its
activities in the international market in the coming
years. There will be projects in nearby and far away
countries and on site we will need, of course, our
members of staff. How can we manage to make
them into contented team members? We have to
admit: we don’t have a cure-all recipe.
BUT we have managers who treat their staff with
appreciation and respect. And
who respond to their needs
as the situation requires. This
needs time and a considerable
amount of sensitivity. It is a constant
challenge. An on-going test. A
tightrope act. But not reaching for the stars.
I am allowed to be human
People are the focus – with their strengths
and weaknesses. Accepting weaknesses and
mistakes, perceiving difficult situations at
work and at home, pulling on the same rope,
supporting each other, a healthy amount of
trust and working on tasks that match my
abilities: that’s what makes me content. And is
that not also what makes a project successful,
and finally, the customer happy?
It makes sense.
Oh and before I forget: it is my wish
… that everybody has more laughter in
their life
… that what I do is meaningful for myself
and others
… that we pay more attention to the effects
and consequences of our actions.
If you like, why don’t you send me your
three wishes:
annalina.kraeutler@rhombergbau.at *
Anna-Lina Kräutler
10 NEW DIMENSIONS | STRATEGy

On the road with VLOTTE
One year of electrical power on the roads of Vorarlberg
In its first year the Rhomberg electric car has
already covered 4,615 kilometers. This corresponds
to a reduction in CO 2
emissions of
340 kilogrammes.
The sustainability strategy of the Rhomberg group focuses primarily on the efficient use of resources. The electrically
powered Fiat 500, which is part of the “VLOTTE” project for electric mobility in this model region underscores our aim.
A total of 40 publically funded electric vehicles on the roads of Vorarlberg not only create a stir, but also reduce CO 2
emissions. For a year now staff at Rhomberg use the electric car, which is available to all for short trips, and they are
enthusiastic about it. The car has done 4,615 kilometers already, which corresponds to a reduction in CO 2
emissions
of 340 kilogrammes.
Madeleine Sargant
“I use every opportunity to be on
the road with our VLOTTE car, and
thereby spread our company philosophy.
The car drives very well – but in
the mountains or on the motorway its
performance could be better.”
Ulrich Forster, CREE
“I like the quiet and very dynamic
drive (small and nippy). There are
now more and more VLOTTE cars on
the road; even the Bregenz police
have one with blue lights. That tells
me that systematic and sustainable
mobility is popular in Vorarlberg. The
only point I would like to see improved
is the charging process – an
automatic docking station would be
helpful.”
Jakob Bonomo, CREE
“To drive about with nippy four
wheels and a good conscience –
that’s what it feels like for me to drive
in our 500! Its range is adequate and
its top speed of 100 km/h is perfectly
suited to flowing traffic. What I find
fantastic is the drive characteristics
in winter – due to the weight of the
vehicle, its grip on snow has no
comparison.”
Andreas Karg, Building Solutions
STRATEGy | NEW DIMENSIONS 11

Andreas Karg
What does common sense tell us?
Food for thought on the quality of life
Faced with the increasing complexity of our everyday lives and our specialised working roles, we often forget to look at the
big picture and do not think in terms of the finished article. In this column we attempt to promote the overall view – just as
we optimise the life-cycle in our projects: with a little common sense.
• Increase in life expectancy over the last 30 years 8 years
• Remaining life expectancy of a 60-year-old man in 1970
14 years
• Remaining life expectancy of a 60-year-old man in 2006
21 years
• Proportion of the earth’s surface that is covered in forest is
• Proportion of the earth’s surface that is covered in seaborne plastic waste is
• Time taken for a plastic bag to decompose
• Proportion of petrels in northern Europe that have plastic items in their stomachs
• Annual fish consumption per head in Austria
• GDP growth in Austria between 1991 and 2005
• Increase in loss of working days through sickness due to psychological problems in the same period
• Health-related costs of psychological stress according to EU Commission
• Gross domestic product of Lithuania in 2009
• Average number of hours of sunshine in Vienna
• Average number of hours of sunshine in Rome
• Average number of hours of sunshine in Moscow
8 percent
25 percent
200 years
95 percent
8 kilograms
34 percent
79 percent
EUR 20 billion
EUR 26 billion
1,883 hours/year
2,470 hours/year
1,709 hours/year
• Number of deaths by suicide in Austria per 100,000 population 16
• Number of deaths by suicide in Italy per 100,000 population 7
• Number of deaths by suicide in Russia per 100,000 population 29
• Columbia’s ranking in a satisfaction study by sociologist Max Haller (42 countries in total)
• Russia’s ranking in a satisfaction study by sociologist Max Haller (42 countries in total)
1st place
38th place
All these figures were obtained from our own projects and calculations, the press and international studies.
12 New DIMENSIONS | LIFE-CyCLE OPTIMISER

Building certification in focus
Effects on real estate sales
True to its company strategy, Rhomberg
decided to become a founding member
of the Austrian Council for Sustainable
Real Estate (ÖGNI).
Based on the international DGNB
certification system of the German
Sustainable Building Council, ÖGNI
has systemised the certification of
buildings in Austria. Buildings are
assessed and evaluated against a
number of performance criteria covering
ecology, economy, social aspects,
technology, process and location. The
objective is to optimise buildings during
the planning and design phases and
show the quality of buildings in a transparent
system. The system considers
the whole of the life-cycle of a building.
This approach reduces building
operating costs, creates comfortable,
resource-saving and functional buildings,
as well as raising the quality of
the design and execution. Moreover,
independent studies have shown that
higher rents and property values can
result.
Rhomberg has appointed three trained
auditors: Andreas Karg, Rainer Strauch
and Tobias Vonach.
They are involved during the planning
and design of sustainable buildings
and are responsible for attaining final
certification – to the benefit of investors
and later users.
Tobias Vonach
The Austrian Council for Sustainable
Real Estate (ÖGNI) looks at the whole
life-cycle of a building.
All-round service for the customer
Building services team on 24-hour standby 365 days a year
Rhomberg facility management
employees complete more than 1,000
jobs per year – from minor repairs to
alterations in leased buildings. The
five operatives from different specialist
areas, such as heating, ventilation,
air-conditioning, sanitary and electrical
engineering are at the service of
over 3000 building users occupying
buildings with over 150,000 m 2 of floor
space.
Professional maintenance of services
installations ensures high availability
and, combined with optimisation measures,
can lower energy consumption
costs and conserve natural resources.
The service hotline (05574 403-403) is
staffed 24 hours, sevend days a week.
Our building services employees are experts in all technical areas.
Diana Koplenig
FACILITy management | New DIMENSIONS 13

The right apartment for every phase of life
Rhomberg housing projects in Vorarlberg, Austria
THE NEW SEESCHANZE Lochau
The top-class location and quality of
the NEW SEESCHANZE development
means demand is enormously high for
these properties. That’s why 75 percent
of the 95 dwellings have been sold in
only eight months. These sensational
sales figures are the best indicator that
the decision by both partners,
Rhomberg and Schertler-Alge – to
develop NEW SEESCHANZE together
as a joint project in the Wohnen am
See development corporation – was
absolutely right.
Artist’s impression of the high-quality residential development with a view over Lake Constance
Sold out: WeissenBILdstrasse Lauterach residential
development
All the apartments were sold before completion in October 2010. This development
was prepared with empty ducts for retrofitting with photovoltaic panels at
a later date so that the residents can generate their own electricity. Following on
in the context of sustainability, the apartments are connected to the Lauterach
GmbH & Co KG bio-district heating system.
Bio-district heating and the option for retrofitting
of photovoltaics form the sound sustainability
credentials of this residential development.
Passivhaus monitoring: blocks A and B in SandGRUBenweg
residential development, Bregenz
Modern, energy-efficient building actual figures for energy consumption.
services technologies are so finely This complex interrelationship between
designed and optimised that even environment, people and technology
small changes to the overall system
leads some people to speak of a
can lead to noticeable increases or play-off between energy efficiency and
reductions in energy consumption. living comfort. Therefore we decided
User behaviour can therefore account to conduct a long-term investigation
for some of the large deviation of the housing blocks on the Sandgrubenweg
between the design estimates and the
residential development
at Bregenz to allow us to empirically
determine the factors influencing living
comfort and energy consumption. This
monitoring is being developed working
in cooperation with alp-S and the
Dornbirn University of Applied Science
to ensure the background to the
investigation is objective and based on
sound scientific principles.
This long-term investigation is intended to bring clarity to the interrelationship between living comfort and energy consumption in practice.
14 NEW DIMENSIONS | HOUSING

Benger-Park West Bregenz
Working with the local housing cooperative,
Rhomberg came up with the
concept for the Benger-Park West
housing development.
The residential development was
designed to achieve the Passivhaus
standard. The apartments in one of the
four blocks are sold to owner occupiers,
whereas those in the other three
blocks are let to tenants. This ensures
a social mix and offers a high quality of
living to owners and tenants.
The development is constructed to Passivhaus standard and some units are offered for sale and
some for rent.
Luger site in DornBIRn
The new building for Haus Mozartstrasse, consisting of 34 dwellings and local
shopping facilities was sold as a complete unit to a private investor. Most of the
housing units in the existing building Haus Bahnhofstrasse, the former Luger
furniture store, are for sale and the commercial space is now being marketed.
The adjacent site is being developed in conjunction with Hotel Martinspark GmbH
as a cooperative venture to form an underground car park and hotel extension.
Commercial floor space and attractive loft and
penthouse apartments are created on several
floors of the Luger furniture store building: with
exclusive room heights and generous terraces.
Sustainably designed dweLLIngs ensURe the
HIGHest living quality
The home is the main stage for private to it that our housing developments
life: a freely available, freely designable always employ the latest technology,
space for a freely moulded life, offering incorporate worthwhile innovations and
the greatest opportunities for personal that they are operated as energy and
happiness.
resource-efficiently as possible.
We integrate the needs of future
residents into the design of a new
housing project as early as the
site purchase stage to ensure that
Rhomberg homes are able to fulfil the
changing requirements throughout our
customers entire life.
Our answer to these diverse demands
is to incorporate an extraordinary
degree of flexibility, which allows our
customers to realise their own personal
ideas for living. Therefore we see
We operate a consistent knowledge
management system and keep
ourselves up to date with new developments
by maintaining an extensive
network of innovative suppliers.
Martin Summer
BASIC INFORMATION HOUSING
We are continuously looking for plots of land in
the Rhine valley and undertake to develop them
without delay in a professional and fair manner.
To provide our investors with a higher quality of
advice, we have set up an investment concept
that, with the help of independent experts, can be
fine-tuned to the individual needs of our clients.
Housing projects in Austria currently at the
marketing stage
• Am Liebenstein-Park, Bregenz
• Am Pfänderhang, Lochau
• Sandgrubenweg residential development,
Bregenz
• Dr.-Anton-Schneider-Strasse, Dornbirn
• Rohrbach Park, Dornbirn
• Höchsterstrasse, Dornbirn
• Frauensteinweg, Feldkirch
• Bahnhofstrasse, Lochau
• Benger-Park, West Bregenz
• NEUE SEESCHANZE, Bregenz-Lochau
• Baumgartstrasse, Schwarzach
For further information please contact
Karl Nussbaumer, Tel. +43 5574 / 403-364
Hans-Peter Sohm, Tel. +43 5572 / 22323-11
www.rhombergbau.at
HOUSING | New DIMENSIONS 15

Pure quality of life: at the yacht harbour in Lindau, Germany, a new high-spec residential development is under construction.
having – loving – being
At the Lindau yacht harbour a dream of living on the Lake is coming true
Give every day the opportunity to be the finest of your life*
– clearly this was the maxim of those happy purchasers
of the Lindau yacht harbour project who, already one year
before completion, can look forward to many “finest days”
in their new homes.
A unique residential development is being created which,
with its direct access to the Lake and the inner city, must
be one of the best positions around Lake Constance;
completion is scheduled for the end of 2011. With its 32
well-designed apartments, most of which face directly over
the Lake, and its three prestigious commercial units, the
development is becoming one of the most exclusive residences
on Lake Constance – and promises pure
quality of life.
When we choose an apartment, our own idea and definition
of quality of life plays the most important role. For most of
us, when we buy an apartment, our ambition is that everything
is perfect. After all, in many instances such a purchase
is fulfilling the dream of a lifetime. That means that many
individual requirements and wishes have to be met in the
right proportion. Do I like the position, the location, the
view and the architecture and what is important for me in
terms of sitting out in the open and how much money am I
prepared to spend on my dream? Obtaining support when
answering these questions is important for making the right
decision, that’s where one needs a partner who is reliable
and flexible and has experience and innovative ideas in
equal measure.
For this reason we have opted to create individual residences
in the right locations in connection with a high
standard of living and sustainable user and customer
satisfaction. Our focus in this context is on the selection of
suitable plots and the construction of high quality properties
with sophisticated architectural design and which hold
their value accordingly. Lindau too is an example where
innovative ideas and an exceptional construction and space
concept are implemented without compromising comfort
and the feel-good factor. The successful interior designs,
underfloor heating, parking in underground carparks and
a lift provide a high standard of living, as do the immediate
proximity to the inner city and the outstanding regional and
inter-regional transport connections.
* Mark Twain, 30 November 1835 to 21 April 1910
Tobias Kiechle
At the yacht harbour, Lindau Island, GeRMany
Architecture Design: Planungsgruppe
Prof. E. Kasper, Aachen,Germany
Execution Elwert & Stottele, Architects, Ravensburg, Germany
Scheme two detached blocks (new construction and
refurbishment of existing)
Contract value EUR 20.5 million
Project Development Rhomberg Bau GmbH, Bregenz, Austria
Developer & Contractor Rhomberg Bau GmbH, Bregenz, Austria
Floor space 3,900 m²
Units 32 residential and 3 commercial
Car parking 48 underground spaces, 10 surface spaces
Scheduled completion end 2011
Website www.yachthafen-lindau.de
16
NEW DIMENSIONS | PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

“The service station of the future” in Hörbranz
Creating sustainability with modern architecture and energy efficiency
After working on the Hörbranz Customs Office for several
years, the Project Development Department, led by Bernd
Bischofberger, won the ASFINAG competition for the
construction and operation of the filling and service station
in the summer of 2010. In cooperation with Alpine Bau
GmbH, the Swiss My Stop group and Schindele filling station
operators from Ravensburg, the Department is developing
an attractive service station, which will point the way to
the future. Successful implementation is ensured through
the expertise and competence of the partners involved.
With its modern and yet local Vorarlberg architectural style,
the service station will draw in visitors from home and
abroad. “On the entrance side, the service station comprises
a filling station for cars and HGVs and a curved building
with shop, cafe, fast-food area and restaurant. These
facilities are accommodated under one floating roof. On the
exit side, there is a filling station for HGVs with four pumps
under a generous floating roof.” (Project description by
architect Christian Lenz from Schwarzach, Austria).
An attractive service station is being developed at the former Hörbranz
Customs Office, a traffic intersection between Austria and Germany.
The new service station at the border will give drivers of
cars and heavy goods vehicles the opportunity of filling up
directly at the motorway. We hope that this will reduce the
traffic on the secondary road networks of the surrounding
communities.
With its unique architectural style, which uses wood and
concrete as the main materials, the Hörbranz Service Station
is as inspirational as it is attractive. “The current design
and sustainable operating concept contributes to the local
economy, both in construction and operation, and enhances
the identity of the region.” This is how Joachim Nägele,
Head of Project Development, describes the special
features of the project.
Marisa Rusch
An interesting combination of wood and concrete provides a boost to the
local economy with unique architectural appeal.
HÖRBRANZ Service Station, Austria
Owner and operator Raststation Hörbranz GmbH
Total investment: approx. EUR 15 million
ASFINAG looks for interested parties 14 December 2009
to 31 May 2010
Design & Build contractor Hörbranz Service Station consortium,
(50 % Alpine Bau GmbH, 50 % Rhomberg Bau GmbH)
Project Manager Bernd Bischofberger
Start of construction Spring 2011
Scheduled completion mid 2012
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT | NEW DIMENSIONS 17

Sewer refurbishment at Stuben
Completion on time in spite of difficult weather conditions in the Arlberg region
KEY DATA OF
seWER NETWORK AT STUBen, Austria
Two years ago, a project commenced to renew the sewers and water supply in Stuben am Arlberg
and also to redesign the layout of roads.
Client Municipality of Klösterle, Austria
Engineering Ing. Büro Riedmann
Construction period September 2009 to
September 2011
Contract value EUR 1.8 million
Total material shifted 22,000 m³
Demolition 1.500 m of existing sewers
Total length of pipe about 4.000 m
Inspection chambers about 150
Asphalt surfacing about 14,000 m²
Anti-frost packing material about 7,500 m³
Water pipes about 1,700 m
Site Managers Roland Marte, Monika Mandl
In September of the previous year,
refurbishment work on the sewers
and water supply in Stuben had
already been started. The contract was
placed by the Klösterle Municipality
and includes not only the renewal
and extension of the entire sewer
network, but also the reconstruction
of stormwater drains, the repair of the
water supply system and the upgrade
of the existing road network including
design features and surface finishes.
As part of the construction work,
Steffen Fritsche and his Minor Works
team also created an underground
link tunnel between two hotels. In
spite of adverse weather conditions,
construction proceeded according to
plan thanks to the team of Werner
Wild, Jürgen Fruhmann, Karl Schmid
and Roland Branner. After the heavy
mudslide in Klösterle in July 2010,
our crews were on site straight away
to help the local community with
clearing the stream and subsequent
clearing up work.
Roland Marte
New construction: Mäser residence, Dornbirn
Fast and good – the building construction team shows what it can do
Building owner Manfred Mäser instructed Rhomberg’s
Building Construction team to carry out the work of building
the underground garage, the ground floor and three upper
floors. The building in Mozartstrasse was designed by
Nikolussi/Hänsler Architects and was completed successfully
and to the full satisfaction of the client in a record
period of only four months by the crew under Senior Site
Foreman, Thomas Boch.
The contract also included excavation work, spray concrete
application including ground anchors and borehole drilling
for geothermal energy.
In view of the very restricted space available on the building
site, we were very grateful to the main contractor for allowing
us to install construction containers and materials, etc.
on the adjacent Luger site.
Klaus Chlopik
KEY DATA FOR NEW MÄSER ResIdence, DORNBIRN,
AUSTRIA
Building owner Ing. Manfred Mäser
Design Nikolussi/Hänsler Architects
Construction period February 2010 to June 2010
Contract value EUR 800,000
Excavation work 3,500 m³
Spray concrete application including earth anchors 360 m²
Borehole drilling 1,700 m
Site Manager Klaus Chlopik
18 NEW DIMENSIONS | CIVIL ENGINEERING, BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

Good cooperation of Rhomberg Building
and Civil Engineering teams provides foundation
for success: the tight programme for
McDonald’s Hard was met and the client’s
special wishes implemented thanks to our
usual flexibility.
Civil Engineering and Building well coordinated
Perfect teamwork helps to cope with enormous time pressure on small building sites
Hard, Austria: fast-track conversion of McDonald’s
When the program is tight, work must progress speedily – just the job for
Herbert Zitz and his minor works team. McDonald’s in Hard had to be refurbished
and extended with a McCafé in a construction period of only two months.
The new commercial facility occupies the whole length of the building at ground
level. New childrens’ play zones enhance the restaurant, indoors and out. The
outside areas are used for seating and provide green space. Vehicular access
to the drive-thru counter is now very convenient. All the external works – from
demolition through lighting to traffic markings were carried out by our civil
engineers.
Client AWP Immobilien Verwertung und
Beteiligung GmbH, Dr. Dimitri GmbH, Austria
Design Leitner & Marius
Planungsgesellschaft m.b.H./DI Kurt Schuster
Contract volume EUR 360,000 (including
EUR 170,000 for external works and demolition)
Construction period 26 April to 25 June 2010
Site management Herbert Zitz (building) and
Markus Tschurtschenthaler (civil engineering)
Foremen Michael Sponsel (building), Gerd
Engelhardt (civil engineering) and Gerhard
Sailer (civil engineering)
DORNBIRN, Austria: Factory
extension
Master baker Ölz depends on the reliability
of the Rhomberg team. This time
it was on the extension of the factory
in Achmühle, Dornbirn. The new wing
with a plant room and social area was
constructed in only five weeks. The
facilities include a rest room, locker
room, wet cell and WC.
The construction period was kept as short as
possible to cause minimum disruption to the
food manufacturer’s operations.
Client Master baker Ölz, Dornbirn, Austria
Contract value EUR 130,000 for
demolition and builder’s work
Construction period 3 rd to 28 th May 2010 new
building, 9 th to 20 th August 2010
demolition.
Site manager Jürgen Ropele
Foreman Jack Moosmann
kLaus, Austria: new garden
Elmar Rist commissioned the minor
works team to enclose his parcel of
land in Klaus and create his dream
garden. The ground had to be retained
with a reinforced concrete wall and in
some places with a blockwork masonry
wall. Our team also redesigned the
area in front of the house: installing
drainage, surfacing with asphalt and
laying cables for post, electricity and
telephone services.
The garden for this discerning client was
transformed into an idyllic haven for people and
nature.
Client Elmar Rist, Klaus, Austria
Contract volume EUR 70,000
Construction period March to May 2010
Site manager Jürgen Ropele
Foreman Steffen Fritsche
Herbert Zitz
MINOR WORKS | New DIMENSIONS 19

REFURBISHMenT
FOR MORE
ADVICE BOOKLET FOR
INFORMATIon GO TO
ResIdenTIAL BUILDINGS
WWW.RHOMBERGBAU.AT
Housing refurbishment advice booklet
Practical tips from the experts
We have produced our refurbishment advice
booklet in conjunction with the Vorarlberg
Home-Owners Association (VEV) and Austrian
Real Estate Agents Association (ÖVI).
In future, this advice booklet on refurbishment
can be downloaded from www.rhombergbau.at.
ReFURBIsHIng existing
BUILdings: ExpeRIence pays
As a leading general contractor in the
field of conversion and modernisation,
Rhomberg has more than ten years’
experience in the refurbishment of
housing properties. In total to date we
have dealt with more than 150 housing
properties – taking most of them
from the initial idea, through planning
and design to realisation. This creates
experience and our advisors are
pleased to pass on the benefit of this
experience to our clients.
Great need for information
Different legislation applies to the
refurbishment of condominiums than
to renovating non-commonhold properties.
Other points of difference include
the building, the resident profile and
therefore the residents’ wishes. Many
refurbishment projects fail not because
of financial viability, but because of
defective decision-making processes
and tools, often combined with lack of
or one-sided information. Our objective
is to ensure that owners, builders
and refurbishment designers all benefit
from the content of our advice booklet.
"Through this advice
booklet, we
would like to offer
our knowledge and
practical experience,
and positively support the decisionmaking
process with helpful tips. "
Gerhard Vonbank
BUILding life-cycle
Rhomberg has been concerned with
sustainability and life-cycle optimisation
of buildings for years.
In the refurbishment phase, we pay
closest attention to retaining and
optimising the original, and bringing
the building up to the current state of
technology. By early consideration of
the possible future uses, the type of
energy used, including how existing
energy usage might be made more
efficient, we seek to positively influence
operating costs at this preliminary
stage.
Gerhard Vonbank
20
New DIMENSIONS | CONVERSION & MODERNISATION

Conversion and refurbishment
Apartment and office block of Diemwerke Lochau, Austria, modernised
to incorporate top energy conservation standards
The apartment and office
block before and
after modernisation:
with the help of the
extremely long-lasting
aluminium sandwich
panels used for the
facades, this “ugly
duckling” was turned
into a bulding of the
highest architectural
quality.
This recently-completed apartment and office
block in Lochau is a good example of a commercially
viable modernisation which includes
optimum energy conservation measures. The
building had been converted a number of times
but nevertheless was showing its age so that a
number of extensive modernisation measures
had to be carried out. The building owner knew
that this was a unique opportunity to add sustainable
value to the building and to create a better
quality of life for its residents.
Rhomberg was asked to research the best refurbishment
option for the building. Top priorities
were longevity, energy efficiency and commercial
viability. A number of different variants were
studied and evaluated using life-cycle analyses.
In this way, the best solution for the building
owner could be found quite quickly: it involved
an upwards extension of one floor, comprehensive
refurbishment of the interior, renewal of the
services installations and upgrading the facade to
high energy conservation standards.
The project was developed using the so-called
GMP (Guaranteed Maximum Price) model. This
is a design and build model which ensures a winwin
situation through teamwork and transparency.
The guaranteed maximum price provides an
additional measure of security.
Daniel Mohr
Interview with Daniel Mohr, the site
manager responsIBLe for the project:
What was unusual about this project?
We had an intensive preparation period and looked
very carefully at the energy conservation potential of
the building. As the Design and Build contractor, we were
responsible for all designs and calculations.
It also fell to us to obtain all approvals, including the Energy and
Building Certificates. The project was concluded when we handed
over the keys and a special User Manual which we had produced
for the owner and tenants.
What challenges did you have to face in this refurbishment project?
During the construction period, two whole floors remained occupied,
which made demolition work extremely challenging. Here it
was helpful that this work was carried out by our specially trained
in-house refurbishment team. Also, it was not easy to comply with
all requirements by the authorities, both technically and architecturally,
on this existing building.
dates & facts
Design Rhomberg Bau
Total floor space, residential and offices 1,100 m²
Reduction of CO 2 emissions 60 tonnes per year
Construction period 7 months
Space heating requirement, before 91 kWh/m²a
Space heating requirement, after 23 kWh/m²a
CONVERSION & MODERNISATION | NEW DIMENSIONS 21

Two separate weighbridges for HGVs entering and leaving the site facilitate efficient processing of journeys in and out of the
Rheintal Resource Center, Dornbirn/Hohenems, Austria
Rheintal Resource Center
New weighbridge improves customer service
Following the renewal of the access road to the Resource
Center last year, the old weighing facility was demolished
and replaced by a new one, as the Centre wanted to
improve processing efficiency for its hauliers. Now customers
are welcomed at an attractive reception counter. There
are two separate weighbridges for incoming and outgoing
vehicles, which considerably speeds up the weighing
process, as lorries have to queue less, which saves drivers
valuable time.
The new weighing software collects and manages the data
and records all transport jobs for Rhomberg Recycling. In
addition, this central location is used for monitoring the
automatic loading of HGVs with sand and chipping materials.
There is also the option of communicating with the
quarry workers via radio.
Carmen Bösch
The strings of the Rheintal Resource Centre are pulled from
Albert Niedermaier’s desk. Functions include weighing, loading
and communicating.
22 NEW DIMENSIONS | RHEINTAL RESOURCE CENTRE

Young and incredibly dynamic
Rhomberg Recycling in Dornbirn Stöcken, Austria, has been going for two years
A lot has happened in the two years since the formation
of Rhomberg Recycling at Stöcken. The Management is
backed up by a team of motivated and competent members
of staff who advise Rhomberg clients regarding waste management
and related legal matters.
The continuing upgrade of the Stöcken facility is particularly
rewarding. As business development is very encouraging,
the facility is continually being expanded. Recent additions
were a floating roof above the recycling boxes, asphalt
surfacing of various areas on site and new plant and
equipment.
Our team in Dornbirn, Stöcken (from left to right): Markus Sommergut,
Eva Huber, Albert Niedermaier, Carmen Bösch, Gerhard Elbs from the
Höfle company, Martin Elbs and Walter Hermann
Members of staff have the benefit of specialised training
combined with the background experience of the whole
Rhomberg group, and are highly committed and well prepared
to give comprehensive advice to recycling customers
to their fullest satisfaction. Economical and practical
solutions can be found for very specific individual customer
requirements.
Another plus: in spite of the fact that the company has only
been in existence for a short while, it uses resources carefully
and orientates its work towards customers to reflect
Rhomberg’s sustainability strategy.
Rhomberg Recycling keeps developing: in recent months the floating roof
was extended and an asphalt surface applied to the yard.
To improve customer service, opening times were recently
extended. Rhomberg Recycling is now also open on
Saturday mornings. This option is used primarily by private
customers who can dispose of their waste materials comfortably
and without stress.
Eva Huber
DATES & Facts
Schwarzach Offset Printers disposes its waste materials using a
stationary press at Rhomberg Recycling.
• Company formation: April 2008
• Majority owner: Rhomberg Steinbruch GmbH & Co OG
• Number of staff: 7
• Serves industrial and commercial companies
• Provides specialised disposal services
• Waste materials include: household waste, wood, scrap metal, paper,
plastics, glass, construction rubble, construction waste materials and
concrete
• Opening times: quarry and recycling Monday to Friday from
7.00 to 17.00 hours and Saturday from 7.30 to 12.00 hours
These different kinds of waste disposal containers make a strong
contribution to Rhomberg Recycling’s turnover.
RecyCLING | NEW DIMENSIONS 23

From metropolis to megacity
Rhomberg’s Life-Cycle Tower is part of our urban future
The usual rush-hour traffic jams, smog
warnings on the radio, congested inner
city streets: everyone who lives in the
centre of a major city is well acquainted
with this scenario. This is just a tiny
foretaste of the future. Today’s metropolis
is possibly only about 40 years
away from being described as a
“megacity” – so innovative ideas for
urban living space are more urgently
required than ever before.
By 2007 more than half of the world’s
population was living in cities with
more than a million inhabitants.
Scientists all over the world are predicting
that in 2050 the figure could
be three-quarters. And all the time,
our planet’s natural resources are
becoming increasingly more scarce,
energy more expensive and more in
demand. If you take a few minutes to
think about these two developments, it
becomes clear that providing the conditions
for working, living and life for
people in the megacity of the future
will become an almost insurmountable
challenge for town planners without
innovative technologies and ecological
concepts.
sUstainability is not just a
temporary fad
In view of the fact that over three-quarters
of the world’s energy consumption
takes place in cities, there is surely no
need to ask why the term sustainability
is on everyone’s lips. A move to using
the earth’s renewable resources is
not only sensible, it is important to life
– and this applies above all in architecture.
The idea of multistorey green
buildings that do not waste resources
and provide large numbers of people
with an environmentally friendly urban
living space has become more than
just a global trend. The Life-Cycle
Tower, developed under Rhomberg’s
leadership, is one of those projects
that is capable of not only keeping
up with but setting new international
standards, because its basic material
is a quick-growing natural substance:
wood.
An idea to shape the future
Short construction times through innovative
system building methods, clear
cost management, top construction
quality and hence better living quality –
the concept for the world’s current tallest
20-storey wooden hybrid building
is impressive down to the last detail.
The construction of energy-efficient
towers, like the Life-Cycle Tower, is not
only an expansion to the Rhomberg
range of products and services and
a major commercial opportunity for
the company; it also provides a simple
answer to the question of whether
the world of tomorrow needs sustainable
building concepts in order to face
the future with confidence. And the
answer is “Yes”.
Construction phase 1 Construction phase 2 Construction phase 3
The completed Life-Cycle Tower
24 NEW DIMENSIONS | CREE

CRee – a vision becomes reality
A new Rhomberg group company
looks to the future
A wooden hybrid building system for
multistorey towers that can be individually
designed and built in the shortest
possible time – and above all uses
a minimum of resources and energy
over its whole life-cycle. The Life-Cycle
Tower is a yardstick for the building
methods of the future. And it will soon
become reality.
Good concepts always come from a
good home. A new company closely
associated with the Life-Cycle Tower
project and with a great deal of knowhow
devoted to establishing wood as a
building material in the urban context
has been established in the Rhomberg
Group: the company’s name is CREE
and it has borrowed its ideas from
the philosophy and lifestyle of one of
the First Nations of North America,
the Cree. Their close relationship with
nature has inspired us to continue this
way of life in a modern context:
CREE stands for Creative Renewable
Energy & Efficiency.
As part of the Rhomberg Group, CREE
is the logical result of four generations
of high-rise building experience since
1892 – arising out of the necessity to
set an example of measures to counter
climate change and to engender a sustainable
shift in our approach to urban
architecture.
We can take a communal step forward:
into a future of treating nature and its
resources with proper respect.
Only those who move
can make progress.
We’ve got big plans: the next steps.
From the website to the mail drop:
communication in all its forms is indispensable
to CREE. But of course there
is nothing better than the creation of
an actual building demonstrating the
CREE principals. That’s why the first
two storeys of a Life-Cycle Tower
are to be built in spring 2011 on the
Rhomberg site in Dornbirn. This opens
up a range of possibilities: final testing
and technical optimisation of the
facades, floors and items of building
services equipment, as well as the official
fire resistance requirements. Later
the Life-Cycle Tower can be leased
out as offices at no additional cost to
the project budget and further storeys
added at any time.
Jakob Bonomo
The new company logo for CREE GmbH
CREE | NEW DIMENSIONS 25

New nursery schools for Feldkirch
Modular nursery school system: high flexibility, short construction time,
ecologically sound performance
Floors, walls and ceilings were built with solid
wooden elements, the large windows extend
from floor to ceiling in some places.
At the heart of the Vorarlberg education
policy is the earliest possible
provision of comprehensive play
activities to our children. The need for
nursery school group accommodation
has risen sharply with the adoption by
the regional government of its latest
forward-looking nursery school education
and teaching plan. In conjunction
with the local Feldkirch council and
architects Atelier Rainer + Amann, our
response has been the development of
a modular system for the cost-effective
and rapid construction of nursery
school rooms.
pILot project successFULLy
completed
Three new modular nursery schools
have already been erected in Feldkirch
by Rhomberg as the general contractor.
The buildings are built entirely of
wood. Work on site started in June,
completion followed in October 2010.
Special characteRIstics
The wooden construction involved
the use of prefabricated wall panels
with a high-quality natural finish. This
allowed the entire wooden construction
(floors, walls and ceilings) for each
nursery school to be assembled in only
two weeks. All recesses, penetrations
and empty ducts for cables and pipes
(electrical and heating, ventilation and
sanitary fittings) were made and preinstalled
in the factory.
Elisabeth Frener
"The whole building
was constructed
using dry materials –
long drying out or curing
times were therefore
avoided. A detailed construction
programme allowed different trades
to work in parallel in confined spaces
and ensured the smooth progress of
the works in the shortest possible
time. The repetition factor in the three
nursery schools led to an optimisation
of construction time and quality."
Jürgen Heinlein
Dates & facts
Scope of work Construction of three nursery
schools in wooden construction as a general
contractor including detailed design
Nursery school “Oberer Riegel” one exercise
and three group rooms, social rooms, office
Nursery school “Im Grisseler” one exercise
and two group rooms, social rooms, office
Nursery school “Alvierstrasse” Extension
to existing building, two group rooms, social
rooms, office
Construction period June to September 2010,
three months per nursery school
Contract value about EUR 2.4 million in total
Project manager Jürgen Heinlein
The young artists each create an image of a beautiful life.
"What do you need to be happy?"
Rhomberg seeks dialoGUe with nURsery
schools
We wanted to ask the youngest in our communities for
their opinions, suggestions and ideas on the theme of living
quality to cast light on this edition of New Dimensions from
all sides.
The Feldkirch nursery school helped us in our project. The
children answered our questions about the criteria for living
quality with innumerable fascinating paintings – which did
not make it easy for us to choose the best eight for our
postcards.
We would like to express our sincere thanks to all our little
artists, the organisers and nursery school teachers.
26
NEW DIMENSIONS| GENERAL CONTRACTOR

In the centre of the “Wohnen im Park” residential development is a
communication facility of generous proportions for the residents.
Guests of honour (left to right): Landesrat Karlheinz
Rüdisser, Prok. Ing. Wilhelm Muzyczyn and
Mayor Markus Linhart
Keys handed over for “Wohnen im Park”
This is the largest community project ever created through Alpenländische Heimstätte
On a sunny Monday in July 2010
the prime residential development
“Wohnen im Park”
was opened by Prok. Muzyczyn
(Alpenländische Heimstätte) to the
future residents during a hand-over
ceremony. In addition to the 180
guests, we were pleased to welcome
Mayor Markus Linhart, State Official
Karlheinz Rüdisser, KR Walter-Heinz
Rhomberg as well as the architects DI
Markus Dorner and DI Andrea Niehoff.
The “Wohnen im Park” project is the
largest ever community project resulting
from the long-standing cooperation
between Alpenländische Heimstätte
and Rhomberg Bau.
The development, which is located
in Arlbergstrasse near the entrance
of Bregenz, has raised much interest
amongst the press as modern technologies
and aspects of sustainability
lift this community project out of the
ordinary.
In its projects, Alpenländische Heimstätte
places a lot of emphasis on
freedom from barriers, family-friendly
design, qualification for public funds
and of course, commercial viability. All
these aspects were successfully implemented
in the “Wohnen im Park” prime
residential development, which was
completed in the period from October
2008 to July 2010. The development
stands on a site area of 7,052 m² and
comprises four
“The apartment is lovely and light and
the rooms are well proportioned. I
find the ventilation system very comfortable
because it means that I can
close the windows at night.”
Alexandra Bitschnau
blocks with a total of 74 apartments for
rent. Each apartment has a generous
balcony and its own cellar space.
There are bicycle stores for a total
of 90 bicycles and, the central
underground carpark provides space
for 77 cars.
In order to provide amenities for children,
the development features three
protected playgrounds which are well
equipped for children and teenagers.
Sarah Krenkel
“I love the peace and quiet and like
going barefoot because the parquet
flooring feels so good. Although I live
right in the city, wherever I look I see
greenery.”
Rosemarie Kettenmeier
KEY DATA
"Wohnen im Park" residential development
at Bregenz, Austria
• Public funding for ecological housing, level 5
• Controlled ventilation
• External air is pre-warmed by a solar system
• Pre-warmed intake air ensures that there is no
feeling of draft from cold air
• High-quality heat recovery reduces the need
for space heating
• Filtering of the intake air reduces noxious
substances and dust, which is important for
allergy sufferers
• Controlled air exchange prevents problems
with humidity
• Continuous air exchange reduces unpleasant
odours
The residents are very pleased with the successful project (from left to right): a new tenant,
Alexandra Schalegg, from Alpenländische Heimstätte, State Official Karlheinz Rüdisser and
Mayor Markus Linhart.
GENERAL CONTRACTOR | NEW DIMENSIONS 27

We are “building” a team
Teambuilding on Lake Constance near Langenargen
Trusting the other team members not only
helps the crew to progress faster, it is also
fun:
members of staff of the General Contractor
for Housing department have demonstrated
that they are a successful sailing crew.
On Friday 10 September 2010, the
Housing / General Contractor department
made its way to Langenargen
in Germany. The idea was to bring the
team, which is already pretty much in
tune, even closer together.
Members took to the Lake in three
sailing boats. Of course each team
wanted to be faster and better than
the “competition”. This meant that all
those on board had to be coordinated
and work as a crew. After a short
introduction by the skipper, the teams
were able to steer their sailing boats
themselves – without prior knowledge.
It was not the wind that determined the
direction of our boat, but us as a team,
and how we placed the sails. In the
end, the most courageous of us took a
swim in the 17 °C-cold lake, or opted
to go water-skiing or wakeboarding.
The exhausting and very successful
day on the water was concluded with a
barbecue around a campfire.
Teambuilding is a process intended to
improve the performance of all
involved. Success comes from many
factors including; better loyalty within
the group, articulate communication
and a motivating working ambiance.
A central element is that people trust
each other, which is something the
team was able to experience during
this sailing trip – not least thanks to
the perfect organisation of the event
by Michael Gierer – all of the crew
express their heartfelt thanks to him.
“This was my first
time on a sailing boat
and I hope that it was
not the last time. It is
a good thing to get
to know your colleagues outside the
workplace. I have really enjoyed the
day.”
Thomas Feuerstein
“With my colleagues,
I had the opportunity
to experience a very
special and exclusive
form of teambuilding.
Not only did we get to know each
other away from work, but we were
also able to prove that we harmonise
well in the sailing team. A successful
excursion, finishing off with wakeboarding
and a barbecue and
campfire.”
Bernhard Fink
Plato
“In a game you can get
to know people better in
an hour’s time than you
can by talking to them
for a whole year.”
“Every day I am on
the construction site
at the Lindau yacht
harbour and therefore
do not often come to
the office. For me, this teambuilding
excursion was a good opportunity to
get to know my colleagues (some of
whom I didn’t know). We had a really
cool time – I would like to thank the
organisers for the fact that we all, at
least myself, went home without being
hungry or thirsty.”
Franz Sutterlüty
28 NEW DIMENSIONS | GENERAL CONTRACTOR

"Life-cycle management – construction:
Master study course starts in April 2011
Rhomberg group initiates new course at Danube University Krems
Master study course
LIFe-Cycle Management
Demand for new educational opportunities, which are part of the technological
and social changes of our times, motivated the Rhomberg group to initiate the
development of a Master course specialising in the subjects of Life-Cycle
Management and sustainable construction management, and, in this way, to
encourage a closer study of the issues involved in green building construction.
Duration 20 modules, 4 semesters
extra-occupational including Master thesis
Start April 2011
Partners
• Rhomberg group, Bregenz
• Danube University Krems – Department for
Building and the Environment
• Stempkowski Building & Construction
Management, Vienna/Graz
• Building Academy of the Chamber of
Commerce, Austria
• The State of Vorarlberg – Schloss Hofen, Lochau
Information
Rhomberg group
Contact: Mag. Jürgen Jussel
Telephone: +43 5574 403-0
Email: juergen.jussel@rhombergbau.at
www.rhombergbau.at
Danube University Krems
Department for Building and the Environment
Head of Studies:
Dipl.-Ing (FH) Maria Wallner-Kleindienst MSc.
Email: lcm-bau@donau-uni.ac.at
www.donau-uni.ac.at/de/department/bauenumwelt
After several years of preparation, this
project has now become a reality: from
April 2011, mature students from the
construction industry will have the
opportunity to get to know all aspects
of sustainable construction management
and to build on their existing
knowledge in this 20 module study
course. “Theory and practice meet:
we are passing on our comprehensive
experience in construction management,
energy efficiency, life-cycle optimisation
and careful use of resources
to the students. In turn, we will be able
to incorporate the latest findings into
our work” explains Hubert Rhomberg,
Managing Director of Rhomberg
Holding. The course curriculum is
based on life-cycle study.
“Due to its vocational
orientation, the Master
study course ’Life-
Cycle Management in
Construction’ initiated
by us is a leader in the educational
post-graduate landscape of Europe.”
Hubert Rhomberg
The 20 modules cover all important
questions to be answered by a future
construction project manager who
wants to successfully develop and
implement construction projects. These
are the core elements of sustainable
construction and life-cycle management,
green building issues such as
resource management and climate
engineering as well as the classical
subjects of project management
and project development (cost, time
and risk management) and general
construction management covering
contract and tender procedures through
to strategic claim management. It is
intended that the students will also
develop their general management
skills. Other aspects are team building,
negotiation skills, communication,
innovation management and leadership
skills. The four-semester-long course
finishes off with a Master thesis which
is intended to be of highly practical
relevance. A Masters (MSc) is awarded
on completion of the course.
Competent partners in science,
business and politics
Back in 2007 the Rhomberg group
was able to commission Rainer Stempkowski,
an expert on life-cycle optimisation
and Professor at the Joanneum
University of Applied Sciences
in Graz, with devising the concept for
this extra-occupational Master study
course. The company was able to take
the Danube University Krems (DUK)
on board to provide the academic
framework for this project.
The Building Academy of the Chamber
of Commerce also takes part in
the project – the reason being that
this new postgraduate study course
emphasises practical orientation in
the education of future construction
industry professionals. The Vorarlberg
State – Schloss Hofen – also provides
support for the newly-created Master
study course right from the beginning.
The modules will alternate between
Krems and Vienna and the educational
centre at Schloss Hofen (Lochau).
RHOMBERG ACADEMy | NEW DIMENSIONS 29

Manuela and Mona
Rhomberg’s apprentices learn more than just their specific trade.
Quality of life at work
Focus on people
How can I best develop
my strengths?
Working-Style-Analysis (WSA)
and Learning-Style-Analysis (LSA)
Working-Style-Analysis helps our staff to become more
familiar with their personal working style and therefore to
fulfill their duties more effectively, efficiently and with less
stress.
WSA is an important aid for us in personnel development
in order to ensure that staff are given tasks that best suit
their abilities. In addition, this analysis helps us to improve
the efficiency of team selection, as it indicates to us what
members of staff need for their optimum development.
Learning Style Analysis helps pupils to become more
familiar with their personal learning style in order to be able
to learn more effectively with the least possible stress, and
under optimum conditions.
In spring and autumn we have organised workshops with
the youngest forms of HTL college at Rankweil. The aim
was to support pupils in becoming familiar with their personal
learning style to help them cope better with everyday
learning situations at school and at home. Regarding the
learning process, we think there is still an enormous
potential for improvement in our schools.
With these workshops, we have the opportunity to make a
contribution so that we have access to motivated and welleducated
employees in the future.
Being aware of one’s personal working and learning style brings
many benefits.
So that they can use these tools even more efficiently,
Jürgen Jussel and Karin Hubalek successfully passed a
qualifying examination in August this year.
New team meMBer
Manuela Polki-Akrouti has been a member of the Human
Resources team since May 2010. Manuela supports our
Head of Human Resources, Jürgen Jussel, as his Personnel
Assistant and also provides valuable support to the whole
team.
As Manuela is the proud mum of Mona (3 years), she works
for us on a part-time basis. Before her maternity leave,
Manuela had been very successful in hotel management in
Vienna.
30 NEW DIMENSIONS | HUMAN RESOURCES

By working collaboratively, personal and social competencies are strengthened in the Rhomberg apprenticeship programmes.
Apprentice Power
Whether we are training apprentices to become ground
workers, mechanics or bricklayers – for us, good apprentice
education includes more than the respective trade training
and mentoring from the person responsible for apprentices
– equally important is the systematic development of
personal and social competence. In cooperation with the
Vorarlberg Kinderdorf, we have developed a special
apprentice programme which consists of special apprentice
days, an apprentice camp and educational adventure
components.
For example, this year our apprentices became chefs for
a day and learnt that cooking “tasty and healthy” dishes is
very easy. The second apprentice day focuses on safety at
work on the building site and addiction.
This year’s apprentice camp is held under the motto
“getting underway”. The camp lasts for two and a half days
and is aimed at promoting the personal and social
competence of our apprentices. At the same time, having
fun together and getting to know each other are also part
of the experience.
NEW LOGO Rhomberg Academy
Since the beginning of this year, the Rhomberg Academy
has its own logo.
The curriculum offered by the Rhomberg Academy is varied
and focuses on practical application. “Knowledge becomes
more when we share it.” Therefore we are pleased to say
that this year, some of the 60 modules were not presented
by external speakers, but by Rhomberg members of staff.
Staff coaching
For those of our staff who are interested in, and indicate
a need for, we provide qualified coaching. This gives them
support for their personal development, to help them grow
into new responsibilities and to achieve their personal
objectives (both professionally and privately).
This also touches on the balance between professional and
private life – because it is becoming increasingly difficult
to achieve a good work/life balance, which is an important
prerequisite for our staff to be able to perform.
Karin Hubalek
Modules offered by the Rhomberg Academy:
This year’s modules focus on the subjects Leadership and
Communication. Successfully completed modules:
• Carrying out staff reviews successfully
• Appearance and presence
• Managing sub-contractors successfully
• We lead I, II and III
• Conflict management
• Target and time management
• Stress management
HUMAN RESOURCES | NEW DIMENSIONS 31

The handrail, with its light-emitting diodes (LEDs), was developed by Rhomberg Bahntechnik in cooperation with EPS Soltec and is intended for
installation at the Brenner approach line.
HandraiLIT: a handrail with illumination
The Bahntechnik Department shows the way
This illuminated handrail has been
specified for installation in Austrian
railway tunnels for some time. The
handrail features integrated LED lighting
to help people find escape routes
in emergencies or during maintenance
work. HandraiLIT, which is the name of
the handrail, was developed together
with development partners EPS Soltec
from Hörbranz, Austria.
Currently, the handrail is undergoing
the approval process by the ÖBB
approval authority, with official approval
expected in the coming weeks for
installation in ÖBB tunnels. We are
making every effort to ensure that this
handrail will be used in future railway
projects at home and abroad.
HandraiLIT comes with two different
types of lighting. There is an extremely
robust version in which a completely
enclosed LED lightbar is inserted into
the stainless steel handrail profile. The
second version uses point lighting
elements. These are inserted individually
and clipped into place. Cabling for
both systems relies on a simple plug
system. The handrail system has been
designed for external applications
(IP 66) but can also be used in other
areas. HandraiLIT provides a safe solution
for stair railings, guide systems in
public buildings and balcony railings.
For more information please visit our
homepage at www.handrailit.com
Stephan Ottersbach
ZOKA for large building sites
Safety comes first
ZOKA refers to access, localisation, communication and alarm and is the name
of a system which significantly improves safety provisions and coordination on
large building sites. The system combines various components and bundles them
to form a central monitoring tool, for example, for use at the control station.
Zone 2
Zone 3
Communication and distribution cabinets are equipped with the required components
and connected with each other using a redundant optical fibre data
network. These include items such as an emergency telephone, alarm system
components, such as rotating lights or horns, data and communication equipment
such as Switch, including media converters and WLAN transmitters, on/off
servers (I/O module), localisation systems, battery systems for no-break power
supplies, video cameras and much more.
This system can be used to monitor and control barrier systems, localise persons
and vehicles, for internal and external communication via radio and landlines,
alarm systems via distribution cabinets or the control station, and to control and
monitor external equipment such as ventilation or pump systems.
Zone 4
Zone 1
The ZOKA system has been deployed at the
Brenner (Lower Inn Valley) approach line sites
and the side tunnels to the Brenner base tunnel
and has proved to be very valuable there.
You can find further information in our report “Masterpiece of railway technology”
below and on our website www.rhombergrail.com under “Download Systemfolder
ZOKA”.
Stephan Ottersbach
32
NEW DIMENSIONS | RAIL ENGINEERING

RHOMBERG
RAIL UK
With the help of the new office in
London and its experienced railway
engineering crew, we are closer to
our customers in Great Britain and
Ireland and in a better position to
provide them with a better service.
In the picture: track alignment work
for the Docklands Light Railway
project, London, England
Green light for RHOMBERG RAIL UK
Rhomberg Rail opens up a new subsidiary in London
After two years of intensive
planning a new subsidiary
called Rhomberg Rail UK Limited was
formed in Great Britain with effect
from 1 September 2010. The company
has its offices in London and is an
independent subsidiary with close links
to the Rhomberg Rail group in Austria.
In the years to come the company
anticipates strong demand for the construction
and renewal of slab track.
Already, the company was able to use
Rhomberg’s services and technologies
for the renewal of points at Piccadilly
Circus and in the London Underground.
In addition, Rhomberg was
able to demonstrate its capabilities,
together with its local partner 1stinrail,
at the stations of the extension of the
Docklands Light Railway, which runs
throught the Olympic Village to service
the 2012 Olympics.
There is also hope for new projects
such as Crossrail, where a 6m diameter
twin bore tunnel will run east
– west under London for a length of
approximately 21 kilometers, giving 42
kilometers of tunnel in total, and the
new 175-kilometer-long High Speed 2
line between London and Birmingham
in the years to come. In addition, the
company focuses on repair work to the
London Underground, track renewal in
old tunnels as well as the extension of
tramway networks throughout the UK.
Rhomberg also pushes services such
as the provision of systems for
surveying and track alignment. In
addition, Rhomberg Rail UK plans to
further strengthen the awareness of
its presence in Great Britain.
The company’s team is looking forward
to its new challenges.
“The new office in
London brings us
closer to our customers.
We can now
serve our existing
customers in Great Britain and Ireland
even better and more efficiently
and at the same time, increase the
awareness of Rhomberg Rail UK in
Great Britain.”
Christoph Grill
Renewal of points at Piccadilly Circus, London Underground
RHOMBERG RAIL UK | NEW DIMENSIONS 33

Masterpiece of railway technology
Rhomberg Bahntechnik covers all aspects of railway engineering
structure at the northern Brenner approach line
In the Lower Inn Valley in Tyrol, Austria, the northern Brenner approach line is under construction, which is
currently the largest new ÖBB railway project. Rhomberg Bahntechnik was awarded the contract for the basic
railway engineering infrastructure in 2008. But that was not all. Several departments in the project business
division under Dirk Diederich have are successfully undertaking work packages: Robert Kumpusch as Major
Project Leader for basic railway infrastructure (Lot A1), Andreas Förster for electrical engineering (Lot A2) and
Christian Schreiber for overhead contact wire installations (Lot A5).
“All together, we are responsible for the entire railway engineering infrastrucure in the Lower Inn Valley” reflects
Dirk Diederich with satisfaction. “Works are in operation at full throttle. More than 250 members of staff provide
top quality work and play a vital part in the success of the project. The total value of the contract is over EUR
300 million.”
The project team of the Alptransit Brenner
consortium with Major Project Leader Robert
Kumpusch (1st row, blue shirt)
The new line with the Terfens gallery and the
existing line.
The tunnel sections are equipped with a
mass-spring system.
InstaLLaTIon and operaTIon of
consTRUcTIon sITe eQUIpment
With 60 site and tunnel access points
and a construction site length of 41 km,
the installation and operation of the
construction site equipment is particularly
demanding.
Site electricity with a no-break emergency
power supply has been provided
for the entire length of the construction
site, which includes 35 km of tunnels.
Site communication has been installed
in the form of redundant optical fibre
conductors. The entire tunnel has
been equipped with alarm systems
and emergency telephones. There is
a localisation system for persons and
vehicles throughout the tunnel area.
For this pupose, Rhomberg Bahntechnik
has developed the ZOKA
system – a completely new system
for controlling access, localisation,
communication and alarms. The ZOKA
system has been successfully used on
the construction site since 2009.
ALL WORK IS PROGRessING ACCORDING
TO SCHedULE AND COMPLETION AND
HAND-OVER IS PLANNED FOR 2012.
ITEMS coMPLETed as OF ocTOBER 2010:
• 42 km side walkways
• 15 km mass-spring systems
• 21 km slab track
• 571 km cable installation
• 19 km water pipe for firefighting
• 11 shafthead buildings and lateral tunnels
ZOKA – access, localisation,
communication, alarm
systems
ZOKA has been specially developed
for the northern Brenner approach
line. Access control and localisation of
persons and vehicles can be carried
out from the central control station.
All persons and vehicles are initially
registered with the control station and
are kitted out with active badges or
tags with RFID technology.
Access points to the construction site
and the tunnels are equipped with barriers
and video cameras. These barriers
will open automatically for cars with
access authorisation. In the tunnels,
tag readers have been installed at
500 m intervals to allow the localisation
of persons and vehicles with an
accuracy of 250 m. In emergencies,
alarms will be activated via the central
control station. Alarms are activated in
the form of rotating lights and horns.
RAILWay ENGIneeRING
EQUIPMenT FOR THE STans
exISTING TUnneL
The railway engineering infrastructure
for the existing Stans tunnel includes
the construction of 1,260 m of side
walkways, 824 m of heavy- and
medium-duty mass-spring systems as
vibration protection and the construction
of 1,160 m of slab track. This
required 800 m 3 of mass concrete.
Construction work started in October
34 NEW DIMENSIONS | RAIL ENGINEERING

Lower Inn Valley, Austria
All access points to the building site are
automatically controlled by barrier systems.
A total length of 71 km of slab tracks is under
construction.
80 km of overhead line system including supports,
return conductors, guard wires, supply
line and suspension wires are being installed.
2009 and the project was completed
to the required quality standard in the
record time of just seven months.
InsTALLATION of energy supply
and telecommunication
systems
One of the four contracts of the
Brenner project is for the installation of
energy supply and telecommunication
systems. Work started in August 2010.
The contract covers the entire electricity
supply for the northern Brenner
approach line, electricity supply to
72 service buildings, 41 km of tunnel
safety lighting and the installation of
68 km of illuminated handrail in the
tunnel. The work involves the installation
of a total of 26 transformer
stations and 650 km of various types
of cable – of which 100 km are radio
cable. Completion and handover is
expected in 2012.
InsTALLATION OF oveRHead
LIne equipment
The contract for the railway engineering
infrastructure includes the
complete installation of 80 km of type
2.1 overhead line including supports,
return conductor, guard wire, supply
wire and suspensions. It also includes
the installation of the power feed-in,
including switching systems, earth
wires and two protective sections.
Works started in September 2010.
Completion and handover is expected
in 2012.
Reiner Meuschke
KEY DATA OF the basic railway
engineeRIng inFRastrucTURe of the
northern Brenner approach line
Did you know that RHOMBERG…?
… is using up 290,000 m 3 of concrete in 70 km
of side walkways, 71 km of slab track and
27,000 m 2 of noise protection walls?
… is installing about 24 km of heavy and
medium mass-spring-systems as vibration
protection?
… is laying about 35 km of fire-fighting water
pipe and over 1,000 km of different types of
cable?
… is equipping 43 service buildings and
providing a wide range of site equipment
(site electricity, communication technology,
alarm systems, access control, localisation
and ventilation)?
… is in charge of the overall coordination of
installations and logistics?
RAIL ENGINEERING | NEW DIMENSIONS 35

Rhomberg Rail successFUL as design & build contractor
The reLIability of the LÖTschberg Tunnel exceeds all expectations
“The 35-km-long Lötschberg base tunnel is more than 2,000 m
deep within the mountain. It is a railway tunnel of the latest
generation, with high safety requirements and train speeds of up
to 250 km/h.
The tunnel has been in successful operation since June 2007 and
has exceeded all expectations right from the beginning. More than
90,000 trains have already traversed the tunnel. Its average utilisation
is about 80 % and the maximum capacity of 110 trains per day
has been reached on several occasions. The proportion of goods
traffic, including the ’rolling motorway’ (transport of HGVs) is about
40 %. In spite of the complexity of all safety installations of the new
ETCS Level 2 signal concept, the reliability of the entire installed
railway infrastructure is 99.82 %. A top achievement! It is proof that
the enormous effort of all involved was worth it!”
Peter Teuscher, former Director of BLS AlpTransit AG
Railway engineering: surveying and developing
The RTE team expands its capacity and services in Salzburg
For just over a year the expanded team of RTE Technologie
GmbH, together with Rhomberg Rail Consult (RRC), has
been working from the Teisenberggasse premises in
Salzburg. The team offers services and development in
railway engineering both at home and abroad.
RTE sees itself as a competent partner for technical development,
patent administration and surveying services. The
team comprises four surveyors, two structural engineers
and one electronics and programming engineer.
In 2010, the team successfully completed two large external
projects: it developed track survey systems for Messrs.
Doppelmayr Cable Car and a comprehensive software
package for Steinbichler Optics.
In the Rhomberg Bahntechnik group, the team supported
the Malmö project and also optimised the Alptransit
Brenner project from the organisational point of view. In
August 2010 a Turkish surveyor was specially trained in
the track measuring technology used in the Kadiköy-Kartal
project in Istanbul. This project will provide further challenges
for RTE in the future. A further project is in preparation
for the city railway in Monterey in Mexico to provide
track corrections and its own monitoring system.
The team’s development work focuses on the HERGIE and
PLASMA track measuring systems as well as a number of
solutions for slab track construction. Other activities include
geo-monitoring systems for tunnel construction, slope
monitoring and building deformation. These intelligent
systems are based on an automatic measuring process,
including data transfer and alarm systems.
Helge Grafinger
RTE’s developers and surveyors test the new equipment on the tracks
which are immediately adjacent to their offices in Salzburg, Austria.
36
NEW DIMENSIONS | RTE Salzburg

Major long-term projects
Complex projects nearing successful completion
Conversion of St. Pölten
railway station
On 10 September 2010 the modernised
main railway station at St. Pölten
had its opening ceremony in the presence
of Infrastructure Minister Doris
Bures and numerous other guests of
honour. The ceremony marked the end
of extensive remodelling work at the
St. Pölten main railway station. Since
April 2007, all tracks were dismantled
step by step and then reinstated with
new track material. In order to be able
to complete the work on time and to
the fullest satisfaction of the client,
sophisticated logistics, flexible
working hours and motivated crews
from the companies involved in the
project were required. In addition to the
work already completed, there is also
the three-track link to the west of
St. Pölten through the newly
constructed Eisberg Tunnel and the
renewal of the entire St. Pölten freight
station, which are scheduled for
completion by the end of 2011.
Gerhard Hochreiter
KEY DATA FOR CONVERSION
of railway station in St. PÖLTEN,
aUstria
• 75,000 tonnes of track ballast
• 10,000 m track dismantled
• 15,000 m track laid
• 8,000 m 2 of sub-ballast mats
• 60 points dismantled
• 45 points reinstalled so far (mostly by crane)
Construction period
April 2007 to December 2011
Railway crane
Kirow KRC 1200
Universal ballast regulating and profiling
machine USP 2010 SWS
Four-track upGRade of western line
Asten – Linz – Kleinmünchen
The extensive work for upgrading the western railway line
to four tracks will be completed at the end of December
2010. The implementation of this complex construction
project took six years and provided a range of challenges
for all parties involved. Nevertheless, it has been possible to
meet the exacting specifications set by the clients and their
representatives and to complete the contract on time and
to a high quality standard. Now the whole team is looking
forward to new challenges.
Michael Wolfsteiner
KEY DATA – upGRade of western
railway line, Austria
• 160,000 m 3 track ballast
• 32,500 m track dismantled
• 50,000 m track installed
• 40 points installed
Construction period
July 2004 to December 2010
From design to execution: Bahnbau Wels impresses
with its competence and dedication.
Bahnbau Wels | NEW DIMENSIONS 37

Expansion of services in Australia
Track Australia rebranded to Rhomberg Rail Australia
Rhomberg’s team at the official re-branding launch in Sydney (from left to right): Michael Match,
Richard Morgan, Alan Pollard, David Madlener, Garry Thuer, Shane Whitehouse and Sabrina Vonach
At the official re-branding ceremony, Managing
Director Garry Thuer (right) welcomes the
Austrian Ambassador in Australia Dr. Hannes
Porias (left) in Sydney
Changing the name from Track Australia to Rhomberg Rail Australia
is a logical step that links the many years of experience of the
Rhomberg Rail group with knowledge of the complex Australian market. It is
forging a successful symbiosis of European expertise and local know-how.
In addition, the company’s employees have the opportunity to expand their
knowledge and skills in an international market.
“The rebranding will ensure that Rhomberg Rail Australia receives the innovation,
project expertise and financial strength that the European Rhomberg
Group has to offer”, said Managing Director Garry Thuer. “This gives
Rhomberg Rail Australia expanded service capability for rail projects,
starting from concept, right through to its completion and maintenance.”
Michael Match
RHOMBERG CAPABILITIes IN AUSTRALIA
TRACK DESIGN
• Feasibility
• Concept Design
• Detailed Design
• Technical Advisory
TOTAL PROJECT SOLUTION
• Design & Construct
• Alliance Partnering
• Rail Systems Interface
• Operational Readiness
and Commissioning
FROM CONCEPT TO COMPLETION AND MAINTENANCE
TRACK CONSTRUCTION TRACK RESURFACING
• Ballasted Track
• Plain Line Tamping
• Track Slab
• Turnout Tamping
• Turnouts & Crossovers • Ballast Management
• Flashbutt Welding • Track Stabilisation
TRACK MAINTENANCE
• Asset Management
• Routine Maintenance
• Major Periodic
Maintenance
RAIL STRUCTURES
• Rail Bridges and
Culverts
• Level Crossings
• Drainage Structures
HISTORY OF COMpany GROWTH
Since being acquired by the Rhomberg Group
in 2005, Rhomberg Rail Australia has developed
at an extraordinary pace through a dynamic management
approach. Achievements include:
• From a base of only 12 employees, the company
now has 125 highly skilled and dedicated
rail professionals.
• The company has continually developed its
railway infrastructure services. It was already a
market leader in mechanised track maintenance
and has built up its expertise in track and bridge
building.
• Rhomberg has recently acquired a highly
qualified and dynamic track design team and is
therefore in a position to offer complete railway
engineering solutions – from inception to the
implementation and maintenance of railway
projects.
• Investment in new high-tech large construction
machinery underpins the company’s presence
in the market – one of the new machines is the
Plasser & Theurer SSP 303 ballast regulating
machine for tracks and points – the largest
machine of its kind in the southern hemisphere,
which was delivered in 2010.
• The expansion of the company’s headquarters
in Sydney was followed by the establishment
of a branch in the Hunter Valley of New South
Wales, to better service the highest volume coal
network in the country.
• With involvement in prestigious projects such
as the refurbishment of the Epping to Chatswood
line, the completion of the Fortescue
Metals Group railway line in Western Australia,
the upgrading of the ARTC interstate freight
lines. Rhomberg Rail Australia has rapidly
become a reliable partner in the burgeoning
Australian rail market.
38
NEW DIMENSIONS| RHOMBERG RAIL AUSTRALIA

Adelaide metropolitan upgrade project
New rail track design team a success right from the start
In May 2010, Rhomberg was able to
announce the successful acquisition of
the premier rail design team in NSW,
Delkor Track Design. In June 2010,
the team was awarded the first of the
track alignment design packages for
the upgrade of lines in the Adelaide
Metropolitan Rail Network.
The contract was allocated as part of
the “TrackSure” consortium and comprises
a first package of design and
construction activities. In detail the task
includes the renewal of three separate
lines with more than 60 km section
length and double tracks over a period
of six months. This amounts to a total
of 120 km of track.
In addition to the electrification of
the line, important challenges are
presented by the increase of the city
railway speed from 90km/h to
110 km/h and the increased thickness
of the ballast to allow for the installation
of concrete sleepers, which makes
it necessary to raise the superstructure
by about 300 mm.
Alan Pollard
RHOMBERG SERVICES
METRO ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA
• Line design and adaptation of engineering
structures
• Securing adequate clearance between rolling
stock and structures such as platforms,
bridges, level crossings, etc.
• Coordination with civil engineering design
services and contractors
New ballast regulator commissioned
The largest machine of this type in the southern hemisphere is owned by Rhomberg
Rhomberg Rail Australia has augmented
its fleet with another high
performance track construction and
maintenance machine. n August 2010,
Rhomberg’s Resurfacing team were
happy to take delivery of a new
SSP 303 Ballast Regulating and Profiling
Machine fromPlasser & Theurer,
Australia.
Important features of this machine,
which has been specially developed for
the Australian market, are the lengths
of the ballast plows and the ballast
hopper for working on points, which
reduces the amount of new ballast
needed for maintenance. The new
electrical monitoring system should
have a positive effect on the reliability
of the machine.
The new ballast levelling machine helps to reduce the quantity of ballast needed in maintenance.
Garry Thuer
The Rhomberg team taking delivery of the machine (from left to right): Darren Tuxford, Dave Bowe,
Glenn Henderson, Shane Whitehouse, Oswald Ortner, Garry Thuer and Michael Match.
RHOMBERG RAIL AUSTRALIA | NEW DIMENSIONS 39

Supported by the comprehensive competence
of all track construction companies making up
Rhomberg Bahntechnik, Rhomberg-Kalebozan
sets new benchmarks for maintenance and
repair work in Turkey.
The success story goes on…
Rhomberg-Kalebozan strengthens its market position in Turkey
Flash butt welding
for the TURKISH
state railway (TCDD)
In future, the State Railway will
continue to place its contracts for
flash butt welding with Rhomberg-
Kalebozan. The contract involves flash
butt welding of 3,500 steel components,
including the respective grinding,
clamping and careful ultrasonic
testing. The work will be carried out on
the already upgraded Karalıköy-Sivas-
Tecer main line and will take about
four months. The equipment used for
this EUR 700,000 project (1.4 million
Turkish Lira) is a mobile AMS 60 rail
welding machine.
Repair of high-speed line
Ankara – EskiŞeHIR
In autumn 2010 after a two-months
summer break that included Ramadan,
the month of fasting and related festivities,
the team for machine maintenance
re-started work with fresh
enthusiasm: the 250 km/h high-speed
line between Ankara and Eskişehir
was surveyed and maintenance work
carried out. Since the line opened
eighteen months ago, Rhomberg has
been responsible for the maintenance
of this high-speed line and, with its
work, has set new standards in Turkey.
Initially, all maintenance work was carried
out by staff from Bahnbau Wels,
with support from several Australian
resurfacing professionals. Over this
period, enough Turkish workers have
been trained so that the Rhomberg-
Kalebozan team has been working
exclusively with Turkish members of
staff under the management of
Abdullah Gündogdu since the middle
of May.
Technical difficulties are overcome
through the team that is expertly
supported by Andreas Stoppel. He is
a specialist for the repair of railway
superstructure and is therefore a
welcome visitor with the State Railway
management. With his enormous
specialist knowledge and his straightforward
approach he is able to solve
problems quickly and efficiently.
Tamping new ballast from
the greek/BULGarian
border to Edirne
The line between Edirne and the
Greek/Bulgarian border consists of
125 kilometres of conventional track.
Rhomberg-Kalebozan was given the
contract for tamping the line to the
exact specification, after the superstructure
had already been renewed.
In order to optimally plan the construction
sequence and process, the
first step was to newly survey and
evaluate the entire line. This required
some persuasion of the responsible
people to adequately demonstrate the
merits of the preparatory work for the
overall benefit of the project, with the
final results confirming the Rhomberg
concept.
The team was able to set new standards
for tamping new track ballast.
As a consequence, new minimum
technical requirements for maintenance
and upgrade work are being defined in
cooperation with the TCDD.
Gökhan Ipek
40 NEW DIMENSIONS | RHOMBERG-Kalebozan

An architecturally appealing Park & Ride facility has been constructed for the city of Graz.
Strong growth
Goldbeck-Rhomberg expands contract volume and market presence
With the formation of Goldbeck-
Rhomberg AG and business premises
in St. Gallen, the Group has expanded
into Switzerland. In 2008, the company
opened-up a new branch in Vienna,
Austria : in this way Goldbeck-
Rhomberg secured strong growth in
recent years. In spite of the economic
downturn and strong pressure on
costs, the company was able to gain
market share with the help of well
thought-out systems.
One of the Austrian highlights is the
construction of Factory III for the
Kohlbach company in Bleiburg. This
project has a value of nearly EUR 8
million and creates a production facility
for the communal biomass heating
station. The important argument
that swayed decision-makers against
tendering for individual trades was the
extensive engineering know-how of
the company. In Vienna, the first multistorey
car park was erected for the
company’s regular customer Porsche;
a contract for the next multi-storey car
park in Wehlistrasse has already been
secured.
In Graz we have constructed a Park
& Ride facility which meets the most
demanding architectural requirements.
It was due to the systems employed by
Goldbeck-Rhomberg that the company
was able to keep within the preset
budget for this project which was
the winning entry of an architectural
competition.
The company has also successfully
completed several large contracts in
Switzerland. The largest project was
a logistics centre with 10,000 m² of
storage space and 1,600 m² of offices
for the drugstore chain Müller, in
Oberentfelden. In Buchs near Zurich,
a parcel distribution centre for DPD
valued at about EUR 6 million, a timber
storage facility for Hiag costing about
EUR 4.5 million and a storage facility
with offices for System Air costing
about EUR 1.9 million were constructed
within a 500 m radius. A wine
storage facility with retail shop and
head office was constructed for Baur
au Lac in Zurich. This building provides
space for the storage of one million
wine bottles at controlled air temperature
and relative humidity.
Now with 50 staff members in four
locations, Goldbeck-Rhomberg is looking
forward to future developments.
Georg Vallaster
The parcel distribution centre for DPD is
in the direct vicinity of two other buildings
built by Goldbeck-Rhomberg in Buchs,
Switzerland.
The largest construction project by
Goldbeck-Rhomberg in Switzerland: a
logistics centre with 10,000 m² of storage
space for the Müller drugstore chain.
GOLDBECK-RHOMBERG | NEW DIMENSIONS 41

Powerful tunnelling
Menegola AG confirms its special competence
in steel-frame ramming
Menegola AG are specialists
in crossing roads and
railtracks underground in a highly
cost-effective way and maintains well
trained staff and efficient machinery.
With its five machines with Terra and
Tracto technology, pipes with a diameter
of between 20 cm and 1.6 m can
be rammed through the ground for
distances of up to 60 m.
Even in difficult situations, the people
from Menegola know how to solve
problems, as was demonstrated
recently: in order to open up an old
stream and install a duct for amphibians
to Lake Constance, two steel
pipes with a diameter of 80 cm had
to be pressed through beneath the
SBB lake line. These steel pipes have
a wall thickness of 30 mm and are
placed just under 1 m below the top
edge of the rails. This required special
dispensation from SBB. Menegola AG
obtained this dispensation on condition
that pressing under the tracks was
carried out only at night, when there is
no rail traffic.
To provide services for a campsite,
two more pipes with a diameter of
50 cm were inserted underneath the
tracks. This made it possible to provide
holidaymakers with electricity, gas and
water – within a very short period of
construction time.
Ducts for amphibians and services: steel pipes are used for crossing the SBB tracks with a
ramming process, thus keeping costs to a minimum.
Emil Rusch
Menegola AG specialises
in trenchless
pipe technologies
and offers economic
solutions for any type
of project.
42 NEW DIMENSIONS | MENEGOLA Switzerland

MSE Residential and Business Park, Eschen, Liechtenstein
Rhomberg, Switzerland branches out
Conversions and renovations
Owing to the strong demand
for refurbishment work in
Switzerland in connection with the
public funding that has been available
for some years, there is strong market
potential for conversions and
renovations.
The targeted market includes eastern
Switzerland up to Zurich and the
Schweizer Mittelland. The target
customers are primarily large private or
commercial property owners such as
insurance companies, banks and
pension funds. Owner-occupation of
apartments and houses is not very
common in Switzerland. The annual
construction volume in Switzerland
has been about EUR 38 billion since
2005, of which in 2008 and 2009
about EUR 11 billion was invested
in refurbishment work – a tendency
which is on the increase. Construction
activity is largely limited to the
conurbations.
PeRFect launch into the new
BUsiness field
In spite of a highly competitive market,
the company has managed to acquire
its first project. It is an apartment
building that requires renovation with
complete inside refurbishment, repairs
to the facade and redesign of external
works. A particular challenge is the
fact that kitchens and bathrooms will
be completely modernised while the
tenants remain in the apartments.
Reinhard Moosmann
Key data of multi-family-dweLLIng in
WaldhofstraSSe in Uzwil/CH
Start of construction 13 September 2010
Scheduled completion 10 December 2010
Contract value SF 1.6 million or
EUR 1.2 million
CONVERSIONS AND RENOVATIONS IN Switzerland| NEW DIMENSIONS
43

Multi-purpose hall at Salenstein
First project by Rhomberg Bau AG in the Swiss Lake Constance region
In November 2009,
Rhomberg Bau AG was
appointed as design & build
contractor for the design and construction
of a multi-purpose hall to
MINERGIE ® standards for the Municipality
of Salenstein, Thurgau. The
contract involves the demolition of the
old building and the construction of
a new functional multi-purpose hall
with a large foyer, a stage and associated
facilities such as a kitchen and
canteen.
Two thirds of the hall will be constructed
in timber and the facade will
be clad with Eternit. Detailed plans
were drawn up by architects Stefan
Schärer and Constans Roth from
Rubin Architects.
The ground-breaking ceremony took
place at the beginning of June 2010 in
the presence of Community President
Peter Forster, School President Ewa
Zwick, all members of the Building
Commission and the members of staff
of Rhomberg Bau AG. The ceremony
was rounded off with a reception
with drinks and specialities of the
region which had been organised by
Madeleine Nothhelfer, the wife of the
President of the Building Commission.
The Project Manager for the project
is Ricardo Spycher and we wish him
every success for the construction of
the multi-purpose hall in Salenstein,
and look forward to a new reference
project in the Swiss region around
Lake Constance.
Josef Jenny
Key data
MULTI-pURpose hall at Salenstein/
sWITzeRLand
Design & Build Contractor
Rhomberg Bau AG, St. Gallen/Switzerland
Project Manager Ricardo Spycher
Contract volume 12,400 m 3 ground and upper
floors, 2,000 m 3 cellar area
Contract value: SF 8.1 million or EUR 6 million
Construction period 14 months
Sheltered accommodation at Wangenmatt, Bern
Foundation stone for sheltered accommodation laid
On 21 April 2010 the
foundation stone was laid
for the “Wangenmatt Residence –
sheltered accommodation” project.
The ceremony was attended by the
representatives of the client, Senevita
AG, the architects Gaschen & Partners
and a representative of the Director for
Health and Care for the Elderly of the
city of Bern.
Rhomberg Bau AG was commissioned
as General Contractor for the
construction of this project. Construction
started in January 2010 and
completion of the project is scheduled
for the end of December 2011. The
foundation stone laying ceremony was
preceded by the traditional speeches,
which again touched on the long
design and preparation time which had
become necessary due to a change
of operating company. However, the
time problem was solved by the flexibility
of the team: during the additional
preparation period, internal processes
and specifications by the operating
company were optimised and adapted,
which will benefit the future residents
of this sheltered housing project.
The concept of the Wangenmatt
Residence is based on the idea of
“self-determined living”. The Residence
is located in a quiet location in Bern
– Bümpliz which is well served by
transport facilities. The accommodation
comprises 40 one- to three-room
apartments for senior residents and
70 single rooms for those in need of
care. The comfortable apartments are
an attractive alternative to the traditional
old people’s and care homes,
and offer residents support and various
services round the clock. The project
also takes account of older people’s
need for security.
Josef Jenny
Key data
WangenmaTT residence sheLTered
accommodation, SwitzeRLand
Client ibc Innova AG, Wilen near Wil/Switzerland
Architects Gaschen Partner AG, Bern
Construction period
January 2010 to December 2011
44 NEW DIMENSIONS | RHOMBERG CONSTRUCTION Switzerland

LineAAR, Aarau
Working and living successfully combined
In the direct vicinity of the recently opened Aarau Railway Station,
Rhomberg Bau AG is currently the Design & Build contractor in
charge of the “LineAAR” residential and commercial development. Work started
on construction following the foundation stone laying ceremony in October 2009
and today, 13 months later, the shell construction has been largely completed so
that the geometric shape of the project is clearly recognisable.
One of the tough challenges was the severly restricted space between the railway
lines of the SBB and WSB. Today we are happy to say that progress on the
fitting-out of the station hall and all works to the facade and the interior fitting-out
is on schedule. This means that it will be possible to occupy the offices in the
spring of 2011 and the commercial premises and apartments in the summer
of 2011.
Key data for LIneaaR development in
Aarau, SwitzeRLand
Project developer and design & build
contractor Rhomberg Bau AG,
St. Gallen, Switzerland
Client ASGA Pension Fund,
St. Gallen/Switzerland
Architect Dietrich Untertrifaller,
St. Gallen/Switzerland
Construction period June 2009 to June 2011
Building volume 59,600 m 3
Use 48 rental apartments, 2,150 m 2 of office
and retail area
Contract value SF 28.2 million or
EUR 21.3 million
Josef Jenny
Residential project, Beringen
Construction start: autumn 2011
Key data
ResIdenTIAL PROJECT BERINGen,
SWITZERLAND
Project Development Rhomberg Bau AG,
St. Gallen, Switzerland
Architects Frei Architekten AG,
Aarau, Switzerland
Use 63 rental apartments
Contract value
SF 23.5 million or EUR 17.72 million
The winning project in the competition for a residential development in Beringen combines
functional apartment layouts with a very attractive inner courtyard design.
The objective of the competition
was an attractive
residential development for the Municipality
of Beringen. Five architectural
practices were invited to take part
in the competition and had until mid
July 2010 to submit their proposals to
Rhomberg Bau AG. The projects were
assessed by a jury consisting of four
members of staff of Rhomberg Bau
AG and two external property experts.
After intensive consultations and the
revision of two projects, the jury recommended
that the project by
Frei Architects in Aarau go forward.
The project appeals with its clear overall
concept, its modern architectural
design, functional apartment layouts
and a very attractive inner courtyard
design. Further work on the project is
to be completed by the end of 2010
when application should be made for
planning approval. Work on the project
is scheduled for the autumn of 2011.
Marcel Maier
RHOMBERG CONSTRUCTION Switzerland | NEW DIMENSIONS 45

What do we need bookkeepers for?
After all, is this not what computers and book shelves are for?
The Accounts Department oversees the
commercial side of the entire Rhomberg group
(from left to right): Angela Wautsche, Hermine
Schaffgotsch, Herbert Mittringer, Irmgard
Mayerhofer, Stefan Greussing, Marjeta Ulmer,
Inge Jäger, Sandra Stankovic and Brigitte Flatz.
The history of bookkeeping goes back
a very long way. A simple system was
discovered in the old Mesopotamia
around 9,000 BC. In Egypt, records of
debit and credit accounting on papyrus
scrolls were found dating from
3,000 BC. The practice of bookkeeping
was always imposed by church or
government authorities for the purpose
of taxation. In 1494, the Franciscan
friar Luca Pacioli gives the first complete
explanation of the double-entry
accounting system in his book “Summa
de arithmetica”. The basic principle of
the double-entry accounting system
has remained unchanged to this day
and is applied worldwide.
Today, all business processes of the
Rhomberg group are documented on
the basis of receipts to produce a full
record structured by time sequence
and headings. This includes a subdivision
of types of cost and cost
centres and also provides the basis
for cost calculation. The professional
profile of bookkeepers has changed
significantly in recent years. Where we
previously had clerks with their typical
protective sleeves entering long lists
of numbers into books, we now have
balance sheet experts, tax experts and
business administrators.
The strong growth and international
orientation of the Rhomberg goup and
the numerous changes in tax legislation
as part of the harmonisation of
the turnover tax laws in the European
Union, require complex professional
expertise of our staff. The company
has to submit its tax return in Austria
but, in the case of building projects in
other countries, tax declarations have
to be made in those countries.
We are particularly proud of the successful
cooperation with our accounting
colleagues in Australia, Switzerland,
Turkey and Wels. In 1986 the company
changed over to the BDS construction
package. At the beginning, the
programme dealt with seven users,
but over the years it was continuously
expanded. Today, 250 users use the
AS400 in Bregenz, Wels and
Switzerland.
Starting two years ago, the accounts
department has been producing not
only the end-of-year reports and
consolidation at the end of the business
year, but also quarterly statements
as of 31 March, 30 September
and 31 December. The Accounts
Department reflects the Rhomberg
group in figures and is an important
source of information for decisionmaking;
in addition, it is an important
prerequisite for complying with the
official requirements for providing
information.
Another important function of the
annual accounts is to provide banks
with the information they need for
funding the company/projects. With
the help of the Annual Report it is
possible to establish various indicators
regarding liquidity, investments and
capital. This means that each project
and construction contract requires an
orderly system of receipts.
Staff and theIR responsIBILITIes
Brigitte Flatz Responsible for Rhomberg
Geschäftsführungs GmbH, W. Rhomberg
Bauunternehmung GmbH & Co, TR Beteiligungs
GmbH & Co KG, Benger-Park West
Immobilien GmbH, DLZ Kampus Krems
Beteiligungs GmbH, Storchengrund GmbH,
Storchengrund GmbH & Co KG
Stefan Greussing Responsible for
Rhomberg Bau GmbH, GFI Immobilienmanagement
Bauteil A, R&S Projektentwicklungs
GmbH and various consortiums
Inge Jäger Responsible for RTE Technologie
GmbH, Rhomberg Bau and Gruber GmbH,
GFI Immobilienmanagement, Migu Asphalt
BaugesellschaftmbH, Rhombus Errichtungsund
Verwertungs GmbH, Rhomberg Bahntechnik
GmbH, Rhomberg Rail Consult GmbH and
various consortiums
Irmgard Mayerhofer Overall responsibility and
consolidated accounts
Herbert Mittringer Responsible for Wirkungsgrad
Energieservice GmbH, Rhomberg BT
Holding GmbH, Rhomberg Holding GmbH,
Steinbruch GmbH & Co OG, Steinbruch
GmbH, Rhomberg Recycling GmbH, GFI
Beteiligungs GmbH, Projekt Eins GmbH,
Aspermont Holding GmbH, BDS Systembetreuung
and various consortiums
Hermine Schaffgotsch Invoice recording in
Rhomberg Bau GmbH
Sandra Stankovic Responsible for parts of
Rhomberg Bau GmbH, HT-Josef Huber’s
Erben und Co OEG, Liegenschafts GmbH &
Co KG, CSR Beteiligungs GmbH and various
consortiums
Marjeta Ulmer Responsible for SBS GmbH,
Bauschutt- und Aushubverwertung GmbH,
"HAH" Immobilien GmbH, BBW GmbH,
BBWVermietung GmbH, Rhomberg Gleisbau
GmbH, Bittner Bahn und Gleisbau GmbH and
various consortiums
Angela Wautsche Responsible for Express
Beton GmbH and Express Beton GmbH & Co
KG as well as parts of Rhomberg Bau GmbH
Irmgard Mayerhofer
46 NEW DIMENSIONS | ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT

Minimising risks and increasing efficiency
Compliance is an important subject both externally and internally
The term “compliance” refers to acting in accordance with
current regulations. At the beginning of this business year
the subject was taken up by the “Opportunity and Risk
Management” group service team.
The Rhomberg Compliance Guideline contains fundamental
provisions for our fair, open and honest behaviour within the
Rhomberg group and with its business partners, suppliers
and competitors. Subjects include social responsibility,
protection of the environment, confidentiality, competition
rules, conflicts of interest and corruption.
Today, a clear committment regarding these issues is
expected with increasing urgency by banks and in public
tender procedures. In accordance with our company
philosophy, we want to reduce risks and strengthen our
competitive edge and position in the market through strict
compliance with ethical standards and a loyal company and
management culture.
Markus Eder, Compliance Officer
Markus Eder and Angelika Rhomberg
Angelika Rhomberg,
Deputy Compliance Officer
What do lawyers do in the Rhomberg group?
At Rhomberg, lawyers work in a number of different capacities
The company lawyers at Rhomberg cover a number of
different tasks and today are active in more than just the
classic legal field. They are involved in projects right from
the beginning in order to give advice and support at the
early stages.
Apart from legal subjects, commercial aspects play a major
role and have to be taken into account. This means that
activities include contract negotiations, dealing with legal
questions, support for innovation and grant projects through
to insurance issues and the recording and analysis of
opportunities and risks.
The “Opportunities and Risk Management” group service is
headed by Markus Eder and covers the following areas:
• Opportunity and risk management
• Legal questions
• Innovation and grant management
• Insurance
• Compliance
• Company acquisition and integration
Rhomberg’s company lawyers look forward to interesting challenges in
a varied, multi-disciplinary field of activities (from left to right): Angelika
Rhomberg, Markus Eder, Oliver Tabarelli, Manfred Hirner and Christina
Holzer.
opportunity and risk management | NEW DIMENSIONS 47

The Rhomberg Environment Team
Exemplary, sustainable, committed
MIssION: SUSTAINABILITY & PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMenT
Sustainability has been an essential component of the Rhomberg philosophy for
some time now. The aim is to run the business to sustainable principles and take
care of the environment in the context of systematic operations.
Since 2004 Rhomberg employees have been pursuing additional activities in
a number of environmental teams in order to support this philosophy. From the
initial number of 7 staff, this has grown to 22. Now the Rhomberg group has
three environmental teams – one each for the office buildings in Bregenz, the
Rheintal Resource Centre and for Switzerland; the teams convene every three
months in order to discuss, plan and implement current events, future requirements
and opportunities for improvement. This year’s annual environmental team
meeting will take place at the end of the year; the three teams will meet in order
to exchange experiences, benefit from other people’s outlook and collect new
input and ideas. The committment and performance of the team members will be
celebrated with a joint excursion to one of the relevant sites.
“Those who do not
consider the future will
soon be in serious trouble.”
Confucius
SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMenTED PROJECTS & CAMpaIGns
Over the years, many projects and campaigns initiated by the environment teams
were successfully carried out and implemented in routine activities. Here is a
short list of our activities:
• Building sustainably – sustainably mobile All members of staff have access to
a pool of bicycles as well as an electric scooter.
• VLOTTE E-FIAT 500 An electrically operated Fiat 500 was added to
Rhomberg’s vehicle fleet.
• Rhomberg mobility campaigns By changing over to the bicycle or to public
transport, or by clubbing together to share vehicles, Rhomberg staff has been
able to save about 160,000 km of travel by private motor car. This equates to
a reduction of 26 tonnes of CO 2
emissions.
• Modernising the machine fleet Diesel as a fuel reduces consumption by
up to 50 %.
• Carwash system with water recycling
• Improved separation and pre-sorting of construction waste at the various
construction sites; construction materials are recycled and the quantity of
residual waste reduced.
• Reducing paper consumption In spite of the growth of the company, it was
possible to significantly reduce paper consumption (by about 10 percent) by
encouraging people to print paper on both sides.
• Sustainable production We ensure that Rhomberg brochures and publicity
material is produced sustainably and with responsible use of resources.
• ... and much more!
As the Rhomberg Group, we want to set a
good example and not forget our duty to the
environment.
Osman Kabaetli
The PEFC mark is proof that products such
as the paper for this magazine is sourced from
sustainably managed forests.
48 NEW DIMENSIONS| IMS

ManaGIng Director in charge
Ernst Thurnher
Environmental team:
office building
Formed in 2004
Members 7
Andreas Karg
Angelika Rhomberg
Anna-Lina Kräutler
Jürgen Jussel
Karin Hubalek
Lucia Mündle
Robert Franz
Environmental team: SwitzeRLand
Formed in 2009
Members 4
Alexia Frischknecht
Andreas Ditte
Philip Riklin
Stefanie Sutterlüti
Environmental team for Rheintal
Resource Center
Formed in 2005
Members 6
Christian Düringer
Gerd Oprießnig
Gerhard Kalb
Helmut Bernard
Michael Huber
Stefanie Lechleitner
Environmental team: head office
(included in all environmental teams)
Members 4
Jürgen Koblinger
Osman Kabaetli
Agnes Thurnher (occupational physician)
Hubertus Thurnher
(waste officer & safety expert)
Environment-friendly travel: for short distances the Rhomberg members of staff have access to
several pool bicycles. For longer distances an electric scooter or an electrically operated Fiat 500
are available.
IMS | NEW DIMENSIONS 49

We look back...
...over a very eventful, interesting 2010
“The time is right for reducing consumption” – interview
with Prof. Friedrich Schmidt-Bleek
In June 2010, Hubert Rhomberg invited all interested members
of staff to an exclusive interview with Prof. Friedrich
Schmidt-Bleek. The environmental researcher and author
was given the nickname “Bio” to reflect the fact that he has
created the term “ecological rucksack” – which could be
seen as the ecological counterpart to a product’s price in
the shop. His very informative presention was concluded
with an interesting discussion about sustainability – the
central subject of our strategy.
Innotrans Berlin
Innotrans Germany, the “International Trade Fair for
Traffic Engineering – Innovative Components, Vehicles,
Systems” which ran from 21 to 24 September 2010,
attracted over 106,000 visitors from 110 countries to
its 150,000 square metres of exhibition space. The
Bahntechnik group was one of the 2,242 exhibitors
from 45 countries and was represented by staff from
all branches. This year there was a real rush of visitors:
customers, partners, suppliers and interested parties
from all over the world came to the stand to discuss
cooperation and future projects. Presentations about
ZOKA and HandraiLIT were much appreciated.
p End-of-year party 2009/2010
It is traditional that the Rhomberg group comes together
for an end-of-year celebration on the last day
of the year. The owner family, the group coordinators
and many employees came together in the foyer of
the office building in Bregenz, Austria. Ernst Thurnher
gave a summary of the business year as well as an
outlook for the coming year. He emphasised that
“The Rhomberg group is on solid ground: compared
with the industry standard, the company has a better
equity base than most. This puts the Rhomberg
group in a secure position, even if times are difficult
from a business point of view.” Both hosts and
guests concluded the evening with culinary delights.
p Cocktail at REAL VIENNA
Real Vienna in Austria is an exhibition for Austrian, Central and Eastern
European property professionals dealing with commercial property and
investment. This year, in May, the Vienna exhibition ground opened its
doors for the fifth time to almost 7,000 visitors and 220 exhibitors. The
programme included a range of high-profile lectures and discussion
forums and there was plenty of opportunity for forging new contacts and
renewing old ones. Rhomberg Bau did not have a stand at the exhibition
but used it for another event aimed at a specific target group. In cooperation
with the PKF hotel experts, we invited a number of hotel investors
to a cocktail party where we presented the “Storchengrund” project in
Vienna.
50 NEW DIMENSIONS | Events

t Housing Exhibition 2010
At the construction and housing exhibition organised in
the Kulturhaus Dornbirn in Austria in March 2010, the
most prominent Vorarlberg developers presented their
current and planned projects. The exhibits ranged from
owner-occupier apartments to terraced houses through to
detached houses – there is nowhere else that interested
parties can find so many housing projects for comparison.
Experts such as the Sparkasse Dornbirn were available
for questions of finance, representatives from the Landes-
Wohnbauförderungsstelle and notaries gave talks and
offered information in individual consultations.
This was an ideal setting for the Rhomberg housing team
not only to showcase its housing projects, but also to find
interested customers for its investor package.
t “Building with timber in the city” – symposium
On 17 June 2010 the Festspielhaus Bregenz in Austria hosted a number of interesting
lectures by prominent speakers. The organisers, Vorarlberger Holzbau-Kunst, were able
to enlist Prof. Dr. Friedrich Schmidt-Bleek, Prof. DI Arch. Hermann Kaufmann and DI
Hubert Rhomberg for the event which covered the subjects of sustainability and future
resources. One of the projects presented was the Life-Cycle Tower project by
Rhomberg, which was very popular with the visitors.
p Dornbirn Autumn Exhibition: the RCR was there!
This traditional exhibition at Dornbirn took place from 8 to
12 September 2010. Rhomberg Recycling and Rhomberg
Steinbruch had a stand in the open exhibition area in order
to present the Vorarlberg public and visitors from neighbouring
countries with the wide range of services offered by
RCR. The Dornbirn Autumn Exhibition is an ideal platform
for reaching private customers from the region. Our stone
baskets were a major focus of our exhibit; they can be used
in a number of applications such as in garden design or for
the fortification of slopes and banks. At our stone basket
counter we were happy to welcome many familiar faces from
our company. The sand pit was a major attraction for the
little visitors. There was a lot of interest from customers and
we were glad to receive a number of enquiries.
p Get-together celebration of the Alptransit
Energie consortium
The official start of the project took place in Terfens, Tirol,
Austria on 26 August 2010 to which numerous guests were
invited. The Alptransit Energie (ATE) consortium consists of
Rhomberg Bahntechnik GmbH and DB Bahnbau GmbH.
The contract for railway engineering installations on the
section from Kundl/Radfeld to Baumkirchen was placed by
ÖBB Infrastruktur AG.
Both clients and the contractors met at the marquee in Terfens
under a blue and sunny sky. After welcome addresses
by Dirk Diederich (Rhomberg), Johann Herdina (ÖBB),
Hubert Rhomberg (Rhomberg) and Michael Saischek (ÖBB)
the get-together got off to a good start. The buffet was
opened and proceedings went on into the early hours while
the representatives of the Österreichische Bundesbahnen,
the local Building Control officers and the ATE team were
entertained by a fantastic showband.
Events | NEW DIMENSIONS 51

LIFE WORTH LIVING
There is no certificate of achievement, there is no educational
institution award nor any standardised seal for quality of life.
Yet when we have it, we know it and so do the people around us:
it shows in the sparkle of our eyes, our friendliness and
attentiveness. As members of staff at Rhomberg we are therefore,
in a sense, doubly capable of encouraging quality of life: through
our work of building homes and railway links AND the way in
which we communicate with others.
www.rhombergbau.at
www.rhombergrail.com