Sievert Baustoffgruppe: Management Conference ... - Sievert AG + Co.

2/2010 Informative entertainment from Sievert Baustoffgruppe 

Sievert Baustoffgruppe: 

Management Conference 2010 

Five story show house in Hefei 

quick-mix: New Plant in Slovakia 

sht: Strategic Alignment 

hahne: Service Center in Bremen 

Over 200,000 tons of cement 

for three airport structures. 

More on page 18/19

2 

HANS-WOLF SIEVERT 

Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Sievert AG 

Middle Size 

German 

Companies 

Abroad 

The history of the Sievert Baustoffgruppe 

is now approaching the magic fi gure of 

”100“. Up to the middle of the nineties, 

the company engaged itself in various 

activities in foreign countries. However 

an enduring, systematic foreign strategy 

was fi rst developed in 1997 as quick-mix 

Polska and the fi rst quick-mix Plant 

in Breslau were founded. Today our 

corporate group's foreign organization 

includes 16 plants and locations in 

8 countries. Our foreign activities focus 

on Eastern Europe. Presently all areas 

of engagement of the Sievert Baustoffgruppe 

have activities abroad, either 

as direct investments (quick-mix, sht, 

sievert concrete precast elements) or 

foreign trade. 

The reason for international expansion 

of our corporate activities was, and still 

remains, the prolonged weakness of the 

German construction economy and the 

opportunities for growth in foreign countries. 

From the very beginning we were 

aware of the great challenges confronting 

us, a medium size construction material 

producer, as we moved to foreign 

countries. 

Our internationalization strategy has 

already allowed us to get a foothold in 

Luxembourg, Poland, the Czech Republic 

and Slovakia. Next year our quick-mix 

plant in Moscow will be included in the 

network. In China it is fi rst necessary in 

many cases to establish standards for our 

products, so that our real takeoff here will 

not be possible before 2011. Due to the 

enormous requirements for construction 

materials in China and Russia, we still 

look with confi dence in the future. In 

Hefei alone, our production location in 

the Province of Anhui, we have already 

built as many residences as in whole 

Germany. 

Many of the problems and experiences 

we have encountered in our foreign 

engagements are refl ected in the results 

listed in the study "Medium Size German 

Companies in Foreign Countries"*, performed 

by Prof. Günter Bierbrauer and 

Dr. Edgar Klinger with me and in cooperation 

with the PricewaterhouseCoopers 

Auditing Company. Thereby we have 

established the following facts: 

• The majority of medium size companies 

today maintain business relationships 

with foreign partners in various forms. 

Turnover related aspects are decisive for 

foreign engagement. 

• The primary target regions are in Western 

Europe. Eastern Europe, Asia and 

Africa are considered to be diffi cult. 

• Only every third company prepares 

systematically for its engagement in 

foreign countries. 

• The information on these target regions 

is obtained particularly through the 

company's own activities (visits to trade 

fairs, direct contact with information 

providers in the target countries). 

• The problem of cultural differences is 

underestimated considerably. Nearly 

one-half of the people questioned considered 

this aspect to be insignifi cant. 

The benefi t of intercultural training 

measures as preparation for foreign 

activities is considered to be important 

only when experience has already been 

made with such training. 

The attitude towards foreign cultures 

is frequently characterized by marked 

stereotype concepts. For example "the" 

Chinese are characterized as being 

particularly diligent, subservient, modest 

and group-oriented. "The" Americans 

are considered to be adventurous, individualistic 

and arrogant. Such distorted 

assumptions regarding the characteristics 

of people with different nationalities 

frequently form the basis for corporate 

decisions. In most cases the managers are 

not even aware of the subjectivity of their 

stereotyped perception. 

The fi ndings of this study clearly show 

why 30-40% of all middle size German 

companies fail in foreign countries. The 

Sievert Baustoffgruppe is very much 

aware of these risks. The basis for our foreign 

strategy is therefore, above all, thorough 

preparation for all foreign activities. 

This also includes intercultural training. In 

each course of training the participants 

actively investigate the specifi c target culture. 

The training also includes instruction 

on how to properly deal with stereotypes. 

A signifi cant feature of our foreign 

engagement is also intensive consultation 

and supervision ("management attention") 

for the foreign organization by the 

management staff in Germany. 

Presently nearly 16% of the turnover in 

the Sievert Baustoffgruppe results from 

foreign sources. In the mid-term this value 

should increase to 25%. Simultaneously 

it is necessary to ensure that the funds 

invested in foreign countries fl ow back as 

planned. 

In terms of the continuously increasing 

signifi cance of the foreign sector, foreign 

expansion is being observed with particular 

vigilance by the board of directors and 

the supervisory board. We are confi dent 

that our foreign activities will have a 

considerable effect on turnover and profi t 

fi gures of the Sievert Baustoffgruppe on a 

mid-term basis. 

* Sievert, Hans-Wolf / Klinger, Edgar / Bierbrauer, Günter: Medium Size Germany Companies in Foreign Countries: Expectations and 

Experience, Frankfurt am Main 2010. This study is available at the Sievert offi ce for anyone interested.

Photo: Gerrit Sievert 

Margot Stephan 

*1920 †2010 

Every year, just before the Christmas 

Season, Margot Stephan insists on 

going through all the fl oors at SIBO 

and personally wishing each employee 

a Merry Christmas and a Happy New 

Year. This is just one example of how 

Margot Stephan got her honorary title 

as "Grandmother". Everyone respected 

Margot Stephan. She was strict in 

the true sense of the word; not simply 

for the sake of being strict itself, but 

with the objective of advancing the 

development of the company. Margot 

Stephan appreciated candidness. Everyone 

knew, what was expected and 

could depend on support from Ms. 

Stephan in return. 

Margot Stephan started her career at 

the Sievert Baustoffgruppe in May of 

1955 as a "reliable bookkeeper" as 

she once formulated herself in an article 

for "dialog". With a high degree 

of professional skill, clear objectives 

and tireless energy, she contributed 

to the economic success of the SIBO 

Group. She also followed a clear 

course here - solid economic growth. 

In times when women were still 

the absolute exception in industrial 

management positions, she contributed 

signifi cantly to the size and 

signifi cance of the SIBO Group today 

with her high competence and strong 

personality. 

Management Conference 2010 

Company of the year: quick-mix Hamburg-Kaltenkirchen 

Exchange of experience and ideas on 

business development: The annual 

Sievert Baustoffgruppe Management 

Conference was held on December 

3rd in Datteln. In addition to the 

current development of the company 

- data, facts, challenges - the agenda 

also included a presentation by Communication 

Consultant Kai Heddergott. 

His subject: "Communication 

2.0" The award for "Company of 

the Year" went this year to quick-mix 

Hamburg-Kaltenkirchen. 

In the afternoon, the participants 

visited Heinrich Hahne GmbH & Co. 

KG followed by the 'Zollverein' Mine 

in Essen. In this historic setting - a 

UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site 

since 2001 - the day was concluded 

high above the rooftops of Essen in 

the Erich-Brost pavilion with collective 

dinner accompanied by an entertaining 

program. 

Sievert Baustoffgrppe 

And by the way, our "Grandmother" 

also raised three children with her 

husband. This passioned gardener 

found relaxation particularly in nature. 

Margot Stephan loved roses. 

The long-term manager of the SIBO 

Group passed away on October 14, 

2010 just a few months before her 

90th birthday. Margot Stephan will 

always hold a special place in the 

corporate history of the Sievert Baustoffgruppe. 

We will always remember 

her with esteem, respect and 

thankfulness. 

Congratulations and a certifi cate for the champion: Volkmar Templin, Sales Manager at 

quick-mix Hamburg-Kaltenkirchen; Sascha Wagener, Member of the Board of Sievert AG; 

Stefan Egert, Speaker of the Board of Sievert AG; Hans-Wolf Sievert, Chairman of the Supervisory 

Board of Sievert AG (left to right). 

3

4 

Sievert Baustoffgruppe 

Grid Creative Workshop on the subject of "Lateral Thinking" 

Getting off the path, to keep from 

getting stuck on the way 

On August 24th and 25th, 2010 

quick-mix employees from the 

management staff, marketing 

and sales met in Bramsche for a 

Grid Creative Workshop. Subject: 

How can lateral thinking be used 

specifi cally for our work in teams? 

The focal point was the "six thinking 

hat" model from the British 

Physician and Author Edward de 

Bono. 

Seminar Director Thomas Giesen 

explained the concept: "Have you 

ever considered why a plate is round? 

Or why taxis in London actually look 

like they do? It is not always necessary 

to ask such questions, but occasionally 

it is practical to question things 

which are always taken for granted. 

And frequently we then fi nd that 

many traditions lead to better results 

when they are changed a bit. But 

this requires people who like to swim 

upstream. People capable of divergent 

or lateral thinking! 

At quick-mix, creativity also has a high 

priority for expanding our market position 

in interesting market segments. 

Carsten Beier and his team agree on 

this. Lateral thinkers are welcome - it 

is only necessary for them to be capable 

of inspiring others and motivating 

them to listen. 

At the “Six Thinking Hats” Seminar, 

the quick-mix team learned how 

parallel thinking can be used in the 

team for more professional work and 

greater synergy effects. At fi rst this 

sounded very strange - or have you 

ever heard of lateral thinking before? 

- but it soon proved to be a promising 

tool for communication, creativity and 

intelligent work, which can quickly be 

integrated into everyday situations. 

The team impressively proved how 

quickly this can be done. A variety of 

practical subjects, important for the 

team, were discussed, evaluated and 

conclusions were drawn using the 

hats. Two of the subjects included 

were actually so controversial that 

probably only the optimistic participants 

- with the yellow hats - ever 

believed that a creative solution could 

be found. But such a practical solution 

was indeed found, as the satisfi ed 

faces of the participants allows us to 

suspect. 

Carsten Beier, Manager, 

quick-mix Group: "Our company 

needs innovative ideas and people to 

prevail in competition. The six hats 

put us in a position to get innovative 

processes moving in the company and 

effi ciently generate benefi ts from our 

opportunities.” 

White hat: Facts and information 

Red hat: Feelings and emotions 

Black hat: Being cautious 

Yellow hat: Being positive 

and optimistic 

Green hat: New ideas 

Blue hat: The big picture

7th tubag Renovation Forum in Leipzig 

In Leipzig's historical Old 'Nikolai' 

School - today a popular tavern as 

well as the seat of the Leipzig Cultural 

Endowment - approximately 100 

experts - including a Polish delegation 

- met on November 18 for the 

7th tubag Renovation Forum. With 

the subject "Historical Construction 

Materials with a Future" the event 

again offered top class presentations 

on maintaining and caring for historical 

structures. 

quick-mix: Double award 

Congratulations to everyone who contributed to these successes! 

In November 2010 quick-max received two awards 

for excellent service and quality. 

First: The "Top Supplier 2010" Award from the Retail Cooperative 

EUROBAUSTOFF, Specialty Group Plaster/ETICS. 

Second: The Supplier Award (3rd place) from toom Bau- 

Markt GmbH [toom Home Improvement Center]. This 

Udo Weimer, Industrial Sales Manager/ quick-mix Center Sales Manager 

(left) and Carsten Beier, quick-mix Group Manager with "Top 

Supplier 2010“ award from Retail Cooperative EUROBAUSTOFF. 

quick-mix 

This year Wolfgang Hahne, Manager 

of tubag trass Sales, invited the 

participants to a collective visit to the 

2010 DENKMAL Trade Fair, attended 

by experts from numerous European 

countries from November 18th to 

20th. With its combination of trade 

fair, technical program, practical demonstrations, 

award events and special 

presentations, the DENKMAL offers 

comprehensive services for exhibitors 

and visitors to exchange knowledge 

and experience and participate in 

technical discussions. 

The next tubag Renovation Forum 

will be held on November 18, 2011 in 

Frankfurt/Main. The event will be held 

in the Haus am Dom across from the 

magnifi cent Frankfurt Cathedral. 

award was accepted by Eckhardt Berg, Manager of the 

quick-mix Home Improvement Center Sector, at the toom 

Home Improvement Fair in Hanover. This prize was awarded 

for order processing, fi eld service, delivery service and 

product quality. We would like to express our thanks to all 

departments which contributed to this honor. 

Distinguished by toom supplier award: the quick-mix Home Improvement 

Center Team. Center: Business Manager Eckhardt Berg. 

5

quick-mix 

quick-mix: News from R&D Department and Marketing 

Finishing plaster with 

built-in protective shield 

"Hydrocon ® with HydroControl is 

the name for mineral-base fi nishing 

plaster with built-in protective shield", 

explained quick-mix R&D Manager 

Dr. Martin Kanig. "Facades are exposed 

to numerous external infl uences: 

So attractive with Hydrocon: 

The quick-mix administration building 

in Leipzig - before and after renovation 

with fl oated and grooved fi nishing 

plaster. 

6 

The quick-mix line is distinguished 

by its wide variety of products 

for numerous areas of use. The 

Research & Development Department 

works intensively to continuously 

develop new products 

to suit the market perfectly. R&D 

and marketing work here closely 

together. The latest result is an innovative 

type of mineral fi nishing 

plaster with the name: 

Hydrocon ® . In January it will be 

presented to the professional 

world for the fi rst time at the BAU 

2011 Trade Fair in Munich. 

Rain, moisture from condensation 

and wind. The consequences are 

frequently cracks and discoloration 

resulting from effl orescence as well as 

algae and fungus. Hydrocon ® Finishing 

Plasters have a patented feature 

to reduce the effect of moisture on 

the surface of the plaster. In combination 

with an innovative binding agent 

The Hydrocon team at quick-mix: 

Dr. Martin Kanig, R&D Manager; Heinrich 

Schallenberg, R&D Project Manager and 

Christian Leimkühler, Product Manager in 

Marketing (l. to r.) 

concept, effl orescence and growth 

of algae and fungus have virtually 

no chance. A product benefi t, which 

is particularly important in regions 

with high biological pressure, heavy 

precipitation or fog - for instance near 

natural bodies of water. The system 

prevents discoloration effectively and 

long-lasting. 

The use of Hydrocon ® Finishing 

Plasters in combination with the 

quick-mix color collection provides 

a particular visual delight. Hydrocon 

® Finishing Plasters offer the best 

prerequisites for particularly intensive 

colors. Optimal pigment bonding 

ensures that intensive colors show up 

at their best.

quick-mix SKS gray 

Can also be used 

to fasten insulating 

boards 

What does a hobby artist do with 

a couple of sacks of gray SKS 

quick-mix fi ller and attachment 

mortar left over from renovating 

his house? Artwork naturally! 

With Adam and Eve 

in the garden: Artist 

Ottmar Scheuring 

(left) and Willi Englert, 

quick-mix Stockstadt. 

The artist's name is Ottmar Scheuring, 

he lives in Frammersbach, an offi cially 

recognized recreation spot in Spessart 

and has been retired for ten years. 

Previously he did oil paintings and 

then, having more time for artistic 

work after retirement, Ottmar 

Scheuring started shaping 

sculptures using gypsum. 

Three years ago, his house 

was renovated by the 

quick-mix Craftsman 

Aull + Pfaff in Frammersbach, 

quick-mix 

using a thermally insulating composite 

system and the facade of his 

son's house was coated with gray SKS 

plaster. Then art and quick-mix met. 

Ottmar Scheuring thought: “This material 

is weather-resistant, I think I'll try 

using gray SKS instead of gypsum.” 

His technique: The sculptures are fastened 

to a board. The subconstruction 

for the fi gures is a wire mesh which is 

freely modeled with gray SKS. Some 

of the sculptures remain their natural 

color while others are fi nished with 

dispersion or acrylic paint. 

These works of art remained outdoors 

all winter and were completely 

covered with snow. No damage was 

visible in the summer. This convinced 

Ottmar Scheuring. In the meantime 

he buys his gray SKS from Mill Construction 

Materials in Frammersbach; 

as much as he needs. 

Ottmar Scheuring has been well 

known for his oil paintings and sculptures 

for some time in the region; 

he goes to exhibitions and shows 

his artwork at fall and spring fairs in 

Frammersbach and Lohr/Main. And 

quick-mix has now found a completely 

new sales market with its 

convincing quality. 

7

8 

quick-mix 

Looking forward to the new round of the quick-mix construction forum: Uwe Lutterbeck, Carsten Rieth, Steffen Haupt, Igor Gorzelski, 

Andrea Brachmann, Dieter Amend, Walter Simon, Volker Altenburger, Sabine Neidel, Michael Eder and Ronald Franke (r. to l.). 

"Better Consultation and Construction" 

- is the motto for the 

new round of the quick-mix 

CONSTRUCTION FORUM seminars 

staring in January 2011. 

Charming reception for registration at the 

quick-mix website. 

quick-mix 

BAUFORUM 2011 

Nearly 200 seminars throughout Germany 

Construction material dealers, 

construction tradesmen, contractors 

and planners have been using this 

service since the middle of November 

to register at www.quick-mix.de. A 

link at the starting page leads to 

the new online registration feature. 

Throughout Germany 200 seminars 

are offered in 2011. This is not only 

limited to theory: Many seminars also 

provide practical tips, demonstrated 

by the instructors in a practical session 

directly at the site. 

A focal point is the facade design. 

This deals with correct planning and 

execution using LOBATHERM thermal 

insulation composite systems as well 

as the subjects of plaster and faced 

brick facades. Separate seminars 

are also offered for gardening and 

landscaping, road construction, tile 

and natural stonework as well as the 

areas of renovation and restoration. 

The goal of this series of events is to 

provide the participants with in-depth 

knowledge for consulting and application. 

This also includes advanced 

training providing the basis for dealing 

with special technical subjects. 

Further information on the subjects, 

dates and event locations is available 

at www.quick-mix.de.

Ingeniously simple 

The quick-mix profi tability check - now as iPhone App 

App is the abbreviation for application 

and is used to describe 

application programs for Internet 

compatible mobile terminal units. 

In other words applications for 

smart phones, that can be obtained 

from an online shop and be 

installed directly. 

quick-mix now offers this technology 

for a quick profi tability check. 

Intended as a service for retail dealers 

and tradesmen, the profi tability check 

can be downloaded to an iPhone/iPod 

or iPad from the AppStore at 

http://itunes.apple.com/de/app/ 

quick-mix-renditecheck. 

Users are 

impressed 

Distinguished on the Polish market 

This allows the effects of price increases 

and decreases on profi ts to be 

calculated very quickly and easily. 

Background: In the classic marketing 

mix, the price policy plays an important 

role. Changes in the price have a 

much greater effect on the amount of 

profi t than the order volume. 

This relationship becomes even 

greater when the achievable margin 

on the market is small. After all the 

objective of any commercial activity is 

to earn a profi t - and this requires a 

stable price. 

quick-mix 

“Simply ingenious! An App to show the effects on a company's profi t 

when prices are increased or (even more important) decreased. Get the 

facts as fast as lightening. Absolutely essential for all profi t oriented 

people working in sales. Full number of points for this absolutely successful 

application.” 

First prize for GaLaKreativ 

The Warsaw Trade Fair "Zielen 

to Zycie" (Life is Green) is one of 

Poland's most important events for 

the green branch. From August 27th 

to 29th, 2010 the Polish quick-mix 

colleagues were also represented at 

this international meeting point for 

tree nurseries, gardening equipment 

as well as gardening and landscaping. 

Moreover: The team was also honored 

to receive a fi rst prize on behalf of 

quick-mix. Our GaLaKreativ product 

- a PUR binder for garden decoration - 

was chosen as the best gardening and 

landscaping product for 2010. 

A great honor, clearly showing that 

quick-mix is becoming increasingly 

more interesting on the Polish market. 

9

10 

quick-mix 

quick-mix continues international expansion course 

Start of production 

in Slovakia

Photos: Gerrit Sievert 

Velký Meder is a city with approximately 9,000 residents in the south of the Slovakian 

Republic, just a few kilometers from the Hungarian border. A new quickmix 

plant, now the seventh outside Germany, was offi cially inaugurated here on 

September 9, 2010. 

In his speech Hans-Wolf Sievert explained 

why the Sievert Baustoffgruppe decided 

to invest in Slovakia. “Since joining the 

EU, the development in the little country 

of Slovakia could be presented as a model 

for many large EU countries. Exemplary 

structures in the economy and society and 

therefore excellently suited for foreign 

investors, including quick-mix. No wonder 

Slovakia's “Doing business index” is right 

at the top in international comparison. This 

index is used to measure whether it is easy 

or diffi cult to invest, establish businesses 

and develop them in a specifi c country. 

And - as mentioned - Slovakia is right at 

the top here.” 

With the plant in Velký Meder the Sievert 

Baustoffgruppe is continuing its successful 

course of foreign expansion. At this location 

20 employees will annually produce 

and sell nearly 50,000 tons of plaster, mortar, 

tile adhesives and products for thermal 

insulation composite systems. The total 

investment was fi ve million euros. 

Hans-Wolf Sievert on September 

9, 2010: The plant is fi nished. 

Now all that we need is the 

staring shot. And in the words of 

Goethe: 

We are gathered 

– now start. 

11

12 

Developing new markets 

Hungary can also be supplied from our plant in Velký Meder 

Sascha Wagener, Member of the Board of Sievert AG, 

explained the background for this investment: “Our activities 

in foreign countries serve primarily to compensate for 

weaknesses in the domestic market. Our intention is not to 

shift production, but to develop new markets, which would 

not be possible to do directly from Germany. Our products 

for modernization and renovation are in particularly high 

demand here. Regardless of this, the German market is still 

important for the Sievert Baustoffgruppe." 

"A strong backlog demand still exists for construction 

materials in Asia and Eastern Europe. This is an opportunity 

we don't want to miss", added Stefan Egert, Speaker 

Axel Bachmann, Manager of quick-mix Engineering/Plant Construction 

(left) and Christoph Glockner, Manager of quick-mix Group. 

of the Board of Sievert AG: “For example, it is possible to 

supply sites in Hungary from the new plant in Slovakia. We 

anticipate an annual turnover of eight million euros at the 

new location.” 

We found an excellent climate 

for investment here. We have 

never fi nished a mortar factory 

as quickly and easily before. 

Mayor Dr. Ladislaw Rudický (left) expressed his thanks for the support 

provided by the Velký Meder Sports Club.

Photos: Gerrit Sievert 

Hans-Wolf Sievert concluded his speech with the words: 

“Here we found an excellent climate for investment. We 

have never fi nished a mortar factory so quickly and easily 

before. We want to express our appreciation to all those 

who participated in completing this plant.” Above all Mr. 

Ziegler with his team, particularly the Plant Manager Mr. 

Hotový, the construction companies and, naturally, also our 

customers, who recommended building this new mortar 

plant. I would like to express my particular gratitude to the 

City and Region of Velký Meder, without their active support, 

this rapid construction would not have been possible. 

Reinhard Ziegler, quick-mix Business Manager for the 

Wolfgang Bauer, Speaker of the Board of Dyckerhoff AG (left) talking 

with Stefan Egert, Speaker of the Board of Sievert AG. 

Czech Republic and now also for quick-mix Slovakia stated: 

“We intend to achieve our ambitious business objectives in 

Slovakia and Hungary primarily by selling our high quality 

quick-mix products. Naturally this also requires excellent 

customer service, a particular distinguishing characteristic 

of the Czech and Slovakian quick-mix companies.” 

quick-mix SK s.r.o 

Velký Meder 

Mostová 3476 

932 01 Velký Meder 

Delighted with in the smooth construction of the new plant: 

Sascha Wagener, Member of the Board of Sievert AG (left) and 

Reinhard Ziegler, Business Manager at quick-mix Czech Republic and 

quick-mix Slovakia. 

13

14 

Pleased with the lively reception on opening day. Hans-Jürgen Junge, Field Service Representative for the Oldenburg and Weser/Ems Region; 

Alexander Leis, hahne Plant Rep; Rainer Volgmann, Head of hahne Application Engineering/Training; Rüdiger Kuhlmann, Technical Consultant 

for the Bremen-Oldenburg and Weser/Ems Region and Rico Ramin, hahne Application Engineering (r. to l.). 

Customer proximity 

hahne Service-Center 

opened in Bremen 

Expansion of the service locations 

in Germany - this is also a focal 

point of the hahne team, which 

is followed with persistence. The 

visible result is the fi rst hahne 

Service Center opened in Bremen 

in August 2010 and - this is already 

evident - well accepted by the 

target group. 

There are many aspects to customer 

proximity. Certainly this also includes 

knowing the customers' requirements 

precisely and using this knowledge to 

develop and produce products in line 

with the market. However customer 

proximity, in the literal sense, also 

means simply being spatially close to 

customers and providing comprehensive 

services locally. 

The fi rst hahne Service Center was 

opened in Bremen on August 20th 

and 21st with the objective of further 

increasing its own performance capabilities 

in terms of chemical construction 

products for new construction 

and renovation as well as in terms 

of service. Address: Hemelinger 

Hafendamm 1a. The hahne Plant 

Representative Alexander Leis invited 

his regular customers to the presentation 

of the new offi ce, storage and 

exhibition facilities. 

The new Service Center is divided up 

in a reception area with coffee bar, offi 

ce rooms for Alexander Leis and his 

Bremen, Hemelinger Hafendamm 1a: 

The fi rst hahne Service Center is open for everyone. 

staff, storage rooms for the products 

including shipping area and - particularly 

important - a prestigious exhibition 

area, which can also be used for 

seminars and other events. 

The facilities are optimal for clients 

to pick up the chemical construction 

products themselves. Materials can be 

provided to the customers - construction 

contractors, roofi ng companies, 

building preservation companies, 

painters and renovators - directly from 

the storage area. 

The concept for the consulting area 

has also proven itself and within a 

very short time has become a well 

visited communication center for 

processors, planners and architects as 

well as fi nal consumers. Information 

is exchanged and techniques requiring 

explanation are demonstrated on 

live exponents. Many of the processing 

companies have already used the 

exhibition area for providing consulting 

services for their own customers. 

The new Service Center is available at 

fi xed opening hours to all interested. 

This quickly confi rmed the hahne 

Company, that the Service Center is an 

informative meeting point for experts 

from the construction branch as well 

as interested users in Bremen.

Exchanged technical knowhow at their meeting in Rottenbach, 

Thüringia. Sascha Wagener (left) and hahne Plant Representative 

Holger Rößler. 

Michael Horstmann on tour 

With increasing foreign activities the radius of action for 

application engineers at hahne has also changed signifi - 

cantly. While it was necessary in the past to serve customers 

in Italy or the Netherlands, courses of training and 

consulting sessions are now held in numerous European 

countries. This is the reason why Michael Horstmann is 

now on tour continuously. In Berlin today, Poland tomorrow 

and Albania the day after. 

In cooperation with the hahne partner C&C Distribution 

Service, approximately 180 villas are under construction in 

the Albanian capitol of Tirana; all of them using exclusively 

hahne sealing materials. Further interesting projects have 

already been completed. 

hahne 

hahne: Sales offensive continues to be successful 

In a previous issue of "dialog" we already reported on the sales activities of the hahne Company in Europe. In 

the meantime other partners have been found to start sales activities. 

ROBUSTO d.o.o. in Kerestinec near Zagreb is one of the 

largest import companies for chemical products in Croatia, 

Bosnia and Macedonia. The company sells raw materials 

for dry mortar as well as for the paint industry. ROBUSTO 

is now entering a new segment together with hahne. RO- 

BUSTO will sell all hahne products in the region. ROBUSTO 

has hired an employee specifi cally for this purpose and 

provided intensive initial training. In the fi rst phase major 

projects are to be served with the hahne fl oor solutions. 

Deliveries have already been made to the fi rst construction 

sites and further sites are in view. 

Rößler Construction Chemistry 

A strong partner 

A few weeks ago Sascha Wagener, Member of the Board 

of Sievert AG, visited the the Rößler Sales Agency for the 

hahne Company in Thueringia together with hahne Business 

Manager Hubert Looks. For many years now Rößler 

has been the guarantee for growth in the eastern part 

of the country. Its continuous presence in the region, a 

wide portfolio and excellent service make the Rößler Sales 

Agency a strong partner for hahne. Sascha Wagener was 

enthusiastic about the performance capabilities and expertise 

of the company. 

Croatia 

ROBUSTO places it confi dence in hahne 

ROBUSTO construction site in Zagreb. 1,000 sq. m. of fl oor space in 

the hall were coated with hahne HADALAN fl oor products. 

Timo Heidorn, Business Manager at C&C Distribution (left) and 

Michael Horstmann, hahne Applications Engineering at a construction 

site in Tirana at temperatures of 40°C in the shade! 

15

16 

sht's strategic focus 

Continued focus on positioning as interbranch logistic service provider 

In the last issue of "dialog" you spoke about a large 

series of objectives, set by the sht management staff 

for their future work. Generally this involves further 

intensifi ed development of the market and a continuously 

consistent growth strategy. How does the situation 

look today in the individual business segments? 

A discussion with Rui Macedo and Ulrich von Hahn. 

Rui Macedo: "Traditionally we have focused highly on cement 

in the silo branch. It is well known that this industry is 

subject to major seasonal variations. We can no longer accept 

annual dips in turnover of the magnitude experienced 

during the past winter. Moreover we are receiving less and 

less for our services considering the performance, reliability 

and fl exibility we offer. The competition in this sector 

is ruinous. The price is placed over the quality. We can be 

replaced, when the only requirement is moving cement 

from A to B. With the acquisitions started in other market 

segments we can continue to grow and optimize our fl ow 

of goods. To eliminate any misunderstandings: The cement 

industry is and will remain an important customer and 

partner for sht; however we cannot presently use it as the 

sole base for our economic existence. That is why our goal 

of extending our clientele and product portfolio has top 

priority." 

Ulrich von Hahn: “In the quest for growth, it is important 

for us to keep our balance. Our intention is to continue to 

grow with our regular customers, while also acquiring new 

customers. But it is important for us to put the absolute 

focus for these processes on quality and sustainability and 

not simply on quick growth.

In spite of the adverse market situation, sht is well 

positioned to meet the challenges of the coming years. 

Ulrich von Hahn (left) and Rui Macedo. 

In contrast to the silo sector, we have already obtained a 

very heterogeneous customer base today in the fi eld of 

pallet logistics. In the meantime we are an established 

shipping partner for sectors such as the beverage industry. 

Moreover we have also been successful in extending our 

activities into the markets offered by the hygiene and packaging 

industry. In this branch, which is comparatively new 

for us, we are just as dedicated, as in our core business 

with the construction materials industry. One of our most 

important sales objectives in this context therefore remains 

to solidify the market perception of sht as an interbranch 

service provider for logistics and continue to establish ourselves 

in these markets as well as in new sectors.” 

The acquisition of the Dutch Company N.T.M. and i4T 

has allowed sht to enter the intermodal traffi c sector. 

How would you evaluate the development status 

after nearly one year? 

Rui Macedo: "This take-over has put sht in a position to 

offer custom logistic services to all customers, regardless 

of the industrial sector. Many customers know that it is 

necessary to change their logistic concepts, but hesitate to 

tackle many of the structural changes required internally. 

However, we are convinced that we will be able to realize 

many pending intermodal projects within the next few 

months. The gigantic order from Kliplev in Denmark for 

approximately 120,000 tons of lime and cement (see page 

23) demonstrates our capabilities in this segment. In addition 

to economic benefi ts for industries with wide ranging 

sales markets, environmental aspects - such as reduction of 

CO 2 emissions - will require reassessment in the direction of 

railroad transportation for many companies on a projectrelated 

basis in the next few years. 

In the last issue you also stated that sht is following 

a new marketing concept for opening up future markets. 

What are the primary new features? 

Ulrich von Hahn: "First I would like to emphasize that the 

changes in our marketing concept are not aimed exclusively 

at opening up additional markets. In the past few 

months we have introduced or implemented a series of 

important change processes. In addition to local marketing 

- for example in the area of Hamburg or Kassel - we have 

also increased our personnel staff at our branch and fi eld 

offi ces. This will give us the marketing competence and the 

required personnel resources for further growth as well as 

improve our local presence to establish more intensive and 

sustainable customer relationships. 

sievert handel transporte 

Has this new concept already shown signs of success? 

Ulrich von Hahn: "Expressed in agricultural terms, we can 

confi rm that we have already completed the harvest for 

2010 and sown the seeds on fertile ground for 2011. In 

the silo sector, restructuring has, in part, led to us receiving 

a number of orders even during the submission phase as a 

result of our proximity to the projects and our local performance 

capability. Since our location and marketing concept 

represents a strategy based on continuity and sustainability, 

we are not looking primarily for short-term success here. 

The focus aims at long-term, stable growth at the highest 

quality level to ensure reliable and continuous cooperation 

with our customers from all branches." 

How would you generally evaluate sht's situation 

in consideration of the prevalent economic development 

and the present trends in the various branches? 

Rui Macedo: “The sht management staff and Speaker of 

the Board Stefan Egert agree: Our strength is sht's performance 

spectrum. We advertise with the slogan: “Concepts 

that get you where you want to go”. These are not just 

idle words. We realize all of our customers' logistic requirements 

on the German market and in neighbouring 

European countries. sht has motivated employees at all 

levels, whose dedication and knowhow focus on customer 

benefi t. In spite of the adverse economic situation, sht is 

well prepared to meet the challenges in the coming years.” 

We advertise with the 

slogan: “concepts that 

get you where you 

want to go”. These are 

not just idle words. 

17

18 

sht ready for take off 

Over 200,000 tons of 

cement for aviation 

Airports have their own atmosphere 

- ingeniously captured by 

Reinhard Mey with his song Über 

den Wolken [Above the Clouds]. 

The aroma of the great wide 

world is always present here; 

regardless of how well the Internet 

links people and continents. 

And when the sht drivers drive 

their silo trucks across the airport 

grounds, they experience a certain 

feeling of excitement. 

Cement logistics is still one of sht's 

primary areas of activity. Between 

2010 and 2013 sht will deliver a 

total of over 200,000 tons of cement 

especially for construction 

of German airport facilities. sht's 

enormous performance capability 

and all required qualifi cations 

are the reason the company was 

awarded the contract under comparable 

conditions. 

Frankfurt/Main Airport 

The largest airport construction 

project presently requiring delivery of 

cement is the new north-west runway 

at the Frankfurt Airport. Construction 

was started on January 2009. The 

additional runway is an important 

feature for the future capability of the 

Frankfurt Airport, which simultaneously 

gives the airlines security for 

their planning. 

After opening, the 2.8 km long 

runway will allow aircraft to move in, 

parallel increasing the capacity from 

presently 83 to 126 take-offs and 

landings per hour. With this increase 

in capacity the Frankfurt Airport will 

be capable of handling the increasing 

demands of passengers and airlines. 

The new runway is to be put into 

operation for the 2011/2012 winter 

fl ight plan. 

At the request of AVG Mineralische 

Baustoffe GmbH in Duisburg, sht 

anticipates delivery of a total of approximately 

180,000 tons of cement 

to the mobile mixing equipment on 

the airport grounds. Over half of this 

volume has already been delivered. 

At peak times up to 60 silo trucks arrive each day at 

the construction site for the new north-west runway 

at the Frankfurt Airport. 

Various types of cement are obtained 

from different production plants such 

as Dyckerhoff in Göllheim and Wiesbaden 

or Otterbein in Grossenlüder. 

On peak days the responsible construction 

contractor, the Road 

Construction Division of Bilfi nger 

Berger Ingenieurbau GmbH, located 

in Frankfurt orders up to 60 silo trucks 

per day. Delivery is accomplished at 

concrete pouring times around the 

clock. Up to three trucks can be emptied 

simultaneously. 

Konstantin Drettas, 

Business Manager 

at AVG 

Mineralische 

Baustoffe 

GmbH: “For 

our major 

construction 

sites we 

always use 

sht's knowhow, 

because 

we appreciate 

the excellent reliability over the entire 

handling chain. Pouring concrete at 

major construction sites is dependent

to a high degree on punctual just-intime 

delivery. For us fl exibility is just as 

important when construction progress 

makes changes necessary. Here 

it is also good to know that sht has 

appropriate capacities, which can be 

activated on quick notice.” 

sht driver Stefan Kohlenberg 

Ramstein Air Base 

Up to August 2010 sht delivered cement 

for the runway at Ramstein Air 

Base at the request of Dyckerhoff AG. 

This facility is the largest US Air Force 

Base outside the USA and Headquarters 

of the United States Air Forces in 

Europa. The airbase is located to the 

east of Ramstein, approximately 10 

kilometers west of Kaiserslautern in 

the German State of Rheinland-Pfalz. 

The cement delivered - totaling nearly 

12,000 tons - was obtained exclusively 

from the Dyckerhoff Plant in 

Göllheim. The contractor performing 

the work was Bercher & Malejko, 

Weißenhorn. 

Frankfurt-Hahn Airport 

Since it was put into operation as a 

civilian airport in 1993, the Frankfurt- 

Hahn Airport in Lautzenhausen has 

proven to be one of the fastest growing 

airports in Germany. Within only 

a few years the one-time American 

military airbase has risen to one of the 

top international passenger airports 

and the fi fth largest freight airport in 

Germany. 

Frankfurt-Hahn is located on the high 

plateau formed by the main range of 

the Hunsrück mountains primarily in 

the district of Lautzenhausen, approx 

100 km west of Frankfurt am Main. 

sht has delivered cement for construction 

of the runway at the Hahn Airport 

since March 2010. The cement is 

obtained from the Dyckerhoff Plant in 

Deuna. The delivery quantity agreed 

on to be delivered from Deuna is 500 

tons. In this case the ordering company 

is AVG Mineralische Baustoffe 

GmbH, Duisburg. Moreover a total of 

900 tons of cement were delivered to 

Lautzenhausen from the Dyckerhoff 

Plant in Wiesbaden. Here the ordering 

party for sht is Dyckerhoff AG. 


The ribbon of concrete is exactly 11.25 m 

wide. The concrete is "spit out" inch for 

inch by the paving machine. 

sht Business Manager Rui Macedo: 

“All airport projects demonstrate 

the performance capabilities of sht, 

which proved its competence during 

the entire project. This included the 

preparatory measures, communication 

and organization with offi cials as well 

as authorizing agencies, coordination 

of requirements and call-up recommendations 

for the principal. Everyone 

involved knows they can depend 

on sht for just-in-time disposition. 

This applies for our logistic capacities 

for high daily requirement quantities 

- currently at the Frankfurt Airport 

- just as well as for requirements 

for minimum quantities, such as at 

the Frankfurt Hahn Airport. sht has 

established itself as a reliable partner 

for the construction materials industry 

for major projects and will continue 

to use its growth potentials in this 

market segment.” 

19

20 


sht Ludwigsfelde 

Water, Beer and Apple Juice 

At sht expansion of the customer and product portfolio 

presently has highest priority. The personnel 

at the fi eld and branch offi ces have already been 

increased for this target. In the meantime our actions 

are showing fi rst signs of success. This is an example 

from the area of beverage logistics at the Ludwigsfelde 

location. 

From driver to dispatcher: Holger Grunzke (middle) has provided 

Branch Manager Bernd Brodkorb (right) support in Ludwigsfelde 

since January 2010. Left: sht driver Roland Altmann. 

Expansion of local marketing activities: In concrete terms 

this means measures for intensive customer service and 

support or acquisition of new customers are to be transfered 

from the sht center in Lengerich to the outposts and 

branch offi ces. It is clear that this can only be successful 

when the manager at the branch offi ce has the freedom to 

do so. 

The sht location in Ludwigsfelde provides a convincing 

example: Here the senior sht driver Holger Grunzke has 

provided support in the dispatching offi ce since the beginning 

of 2010 to relieve the work load on Branch Manager 

Bernd Brodkorb. This gives Bernd Brodkorb more time for 

intensive support of long-term customers and procurement 

of new customers together with sht Logistics Manager 

Bernd Focke.

Increased customer support and consistent cultivation of 

the market show results: In Ludwigsfelde sht succeeded 

in increasing its logistics services for the beverage industry 

from 20 to 25% of the total capacity. The clients are the 

Branderburg Urstromquelle [mineral water] and the Frankfurt 

Brewery. sht makes regular trips from these companies 

to the central warehouses of the major grocery discounters. 

The Urstromquelle [mineral water] in Baruth, Brandenburg 

belongs to the Schäff Group and produces primarily mineral 

water as well as carbonated soft drinks. The company, 

one of Germany's largest soft drink producers, has its 

headquarters in Treuchtlingen in Northern Bavaria. The 

Schäff Group has bottling plants in Baruth, Treuchtlingen 

(Altmühltaler Mineralbrunnen) and Breuna, where commercial 

brands are bottled exclusively for various discounters. 

The brand names are Altmühltaler Weizen, Karlskrone, 

Baruther Johannesbrunnen, Altmühltaler, Elitess and 

Riedbach 

The Frankfurt Brewery continues its 600 year old brewing 

tradition in Frankfurt/Oder. Here Carthusian monks 

started developing and perfecting the art of brewing beer 

in 1396. Before 1939, twenty seven municipal breweries 

were known. The brewing history was interrupted in 1945 

as the Frankfurt Ostquell brewery was destroyed and was 

continued only after the Oderland Brewery (today Frankfurt 

Brewery) started operation in 1988. The products include 

Frankfurter Pilsener, Export, Pilsator and other beverages 

bottled under their own brand name. In addition various 

types of beer, mixed beer beverages and soft drinks are 

bottled for discounters. 

sht can transport exactly 42,768 bottles (0.5 liters) in one trip. 

sht Logistics Manager Bernd Focke: "Our tarpaulin-side 

trucks are equipped to meet all requirements for safe, 

secure and smooth beverage logistics. The greatest possible 

stability for the cargo is guaranteed by use of truck bodies 

complying with DIN EN 12652 Code XL. For example the 

trailers are equipped with three aluminum panels which 

can be inserted into each stanchion grid. Our competencies 

also include professional handling of all types of pallets 

used commonly on the market, for instance, the Düsseldorf 

pallets - also called half-pallets - for direct display at the 

point of sale. Moreover we offer solutions for returning 

the transport goods, in this case, transport of the empty 

bottles and cases. 

Our customers can rely on the well know benefi ts of sht 

when it comes to beverage logistics. Punctuality, reliability, 

quick reaction - and, when required, the capacity to accept 

more than the specifi ed quantity. In short: We provide 

the complete transport chain - naturally for products and 

requirements from other branches as well." 

21

22 


Career Choice Fair in Lengerich 

sht offers two courses of occupational training 

On September 18, 2010, sht presented its courses in career training 

at the Career Choice Fair in the Gempt Hall in Lengerich. 

Every two years the Federal Employment 

Agency in Lengerich holds a 

Career Choice Fair in cooperation with 

the city and the occupational schools. 

This year over 40 companies offering 

occupational training presented 

their program to future trainees at the 

Gempt Hall in Lengerich. The objective 

is to give young people a practical 

glimpse into the various training 

programs and careers offered. 

How can a company ensure qualifi ed 

new employees from its own pool? 

The best way is to train them yourself. 

For this reason sht presented itself 

with its own stand for the fi rst time 

this year. 

sht's service package - in pictures 

Occasionally artists need inspiration: 

For Rayk Stöckigt, whose principle 

occupation is logistics specialist at our 

facilities in Leipzig, this inspiration 

came in the form of an old poster 

from the one-line quick-mix plant 

in Raßnitz. This poster showed the 

components for production of cement 

products. The basic visual idea 

appealed to the fi nder, inspiring Rayk 

Stöckigt to paint a picture depicting 

the sht services. The result was a 

watercolor painting (approx. 60 x 40 

cm) completed during the winter of 

2008/2009, which now decorates the 

dispatching offi ce at sht in Leipzig. 

Since more open 

apprenticeship positions 

than applicants 

are expected 

in the next few 

years, sht decided 

to "recruit" new 

employees in this 

- perhaps rather 

unusual - way. sht 

offers occupational 

training for professional 

drivers and 

personnel in the 

fi eld of shipping and logistics services. 

The general conditions are ideal. 

Future professional drives are trained 

at sht, on modern vehicles, by experienced 

drivers. Simultaneously the 

trainees gain valuable experience in 

the everyday business of a logistics 

company with European-wide activities. 

The objective of this three year 

course of training is to obtain class 

C and CE European driver's licenses. 

The course of training also includes 

transport of hazardous goods and 

steering silo and tarpaulin-side trucks; 

subjects not covered everywhere. 

Moreover the trainees learn the duties 

of a mechanic or logistics manager. 

In 2010 the painting was reproduced, 

so to say - i.e. printed on linen - and 

can now be admired in the sht conference 

room in Lengerich in a 120 x 

160 cm format. The central motive is 

pallet logistics, surrounded by scenes 

from stock management, picking, 

the quick-mix silo loading station in 

Leipzig as well as an IT component 

representing the high technological 

status of the company. 

As can be seen: Art is not restricted 

to construction, it is also included in 

construction materials logistics. Who 

knows, perhaps a big sized genuine 

The latter is the second training occupation 

offered by sht for the past 

three years. The shipping agents and 

logistics managers are responsible 

for organizing shipment of goods, as 

well as transfer and storage of goods 

in the delivery chain. 

They select suitable means of transport 

and routes and are responsible 

for maintaining the deadlines. Focal 

points of their training include the 

departments for scheduling, freight 

billing, controlling and fl eet management 

Burkhard Lippold (Technical Manager 

and Chief Trainer for Professional Drivers) 

and Volker Lauxtermann (Logistics 

Manager) represented sht at the 

Career Choice Fair. Trainees Katharina 

Neudorf and Vera Weigandt provided 

excellent support. They were untiring 

in their efforts to explain all aspects of 

the courses of training to prospective 

future colleagues. Regardless which of 

the two courses of training new trainees 

choose - dedicated and successful 

completion of the training ensure the 

best chances for permanent employment 

at sht. 

Stöckigt will roll across the highway 

sometime in the future.

Major intermodal project 

receives maximum press 

"Our PR agent did a 

good job here", summarized 

sht Business 

Manager Rui Macedo 

in reference to the 

comprehensive reports 

published in all media on 

the fi rst private highway 

project in Denmark, for 

which sht was granted 

the contract. 

sht Business Manager Manfred 

Himmelbach and Rui Macedo interviewed 

by Reporter Mollen 

from Radio RST (l. to r.). 

Right of way for combined shipping: 

The middle of next year sht will transfer 

all logistic services for construction materials 

for the Danish highway project to its 

affi liate i4 Transportation. The focal point 

is the international delivery of 50,000 tons 

of cement as well as 60,000 tons of lime by 

train and truck. 

Within the scope of a European-wide 

tender, the responsible ministry of transport 

favored an intermodal logistics solution and 

looked for a suitable corporation group. 

"i4T presented a conclusive logistics 

concept 


with a sophisticated door-to-door solution 

as well as a convincing CO 2 balance. The 

company has suffi cient experience with 

major projects, which is absolutely essential 

for this project", stated Michael Boesen, 

Project Manager for the Danish Ministry 

of Transport responsible for tendering the 

new highway project. 

The road construction project of a German- 

Danish consortium is based primarily on 

i4t's intermodal logistics solution. For Business 

Manager Manfred Himmelbach the 

assignment was not new. “Many transport 

companies would like to use intermodal 

transport, but hesitate to set up the organization 

for preliminary work and follow-up 

as well as the search of suitable container 

terminals for loading and unloading.” This 

is precisely the reason i4T has developed 

special international door-to-door solutions 

for the transport industry. 

A project, which attracted, and is still attracting 

a great deal of attention in daily 

newspapers and was even the subject of a 

number of radio programs. 

23

24 

Sievert Baustoffgruppe China 

Gerhard Schulze, Country Manager China (5th from right) and his staff guided the guests through the precast element production facilities 

(photo) and the quick-mix plant in Hefei. 

quick-mix products for the 

Continental Plant in Hefei 

Delegation from Lower Saxony visits China 

The intensity of the mutual 

exchange between the State of 

Lower Saxony and the Chinese 

Partner Province of Anhui has continued 

to increase. On July 3rd and 

4th, 2010 the Deputy Prime Minister 

of the State of Lower Saxony, 

Minister of Economic Affairs Jörg 

Bode visited China with a delegation 

from Lower Saxony. 

For the participating entrepreneurs 

it was also important to assess the 

opportunities and risks involved with 

economic investments in China. 

With this background, the visit also 

included two companies which had 

already risked the step to China and 

are either already in production there 

or are presently erecting production 

facilities. On July 4th the delegation 

fi rst visited the Sievert Plant in Hefei 

and then participated in the solemn 

start of the machine installation by 

the German tire manufacturer Continental, 

who recently invested 185 

million euros for production facilities 

in Hefei, China. The plant is laid out 

for an annual capacity of four million 

tires. 

By the way, quick-mix mortar was 

used in the construction of the 

Continental Plant in Hefei and good 

prospects also exist for delivery of the 

construction material for the second 

construction phase. 

Jörg Bode, Minister for Economic Affairs 

and Deputy Prime Minister of the State of 

Lower Saxony; Sascha Wagener, 

Member of the Board of Sievert AG; 

Gerhard Schulze, Country Manager China; 

and Duan Ling, General Manager quick-mix 

China (from l. to r.).

Important step for entry into 

civil engineering sector 

Show house on Sievert Plant grounds 

In China initiating business contacts 

and negotiating contracts requires 

a longer time, than we are 

used to in Germany. It is important 

to get to know each other and 

develop mutual trust. To this end 

Sievert Baustoffgruppe invited a 

high ranking Chinese delegation 

to visit Osnabrück from the 12th 

to 15th of July 2010. 

In addition to Changhuai Zhang, General 

Secretary of the Central Government 

of Hefei, the group of visitors 

included other government representatives, 

entrepreneurs and professors. 

The program also included a reception 

by the Mayor of Osnabrück, Mr. Boris 

Pistorius, who greeted many old acquaintances 

at the City Hall. "Friendship 

with Hefei is very important to 

us, not only because it is a particularly 

good friendship, but also because it is 

of great signifi cance for the future." 

Moreover: "Courage is required to 

make a further step toward China, 

however this meeting showed that 

this step is worth the risk, when 

friends are involved." 

This visit had important consequences 

for the Sievert Baustoffgruppe. The 

fi rst steps were taken for success in 

civil engineering with precast construction 

elements. In concrete terms 

this means: Sievert will receive public 

subsidies in China amounting to 2.0 

million RMB (approx. 200,000 EUR) 

for erection of a fi ve story show 

house constructed using precast elements. 

This building will be erected 

by January 2011 on the grounds of 

the Sievert Plant in Hefei. The goal is 

to prove the high quality and effi 

ciency achievable with the use of 

precast construction elements. If the 

show house convinces local decision 

makers, the chances are good for also 

supplying the precast elements for 

erection of 18 story buildings. 

The knowhow of the Sievert Concrete 

Precast Elements (Hefei) will soon be shown 

for civil engineering projects: Show house 

presently being erected on the Sievert Plant 

grounds. 

Greeted old friends at the Osnabrück City Hall: 

Mayor Boris Pistorius in discussion with Changhuai 

Zhang, General Secretary of the Central Government 

of Hefei (right). Third from right: Mr. Fan Hua, 

Deputy General Manager of fdu in Hefei. 

25

26 

Gerhard Schulze (Country Manager China Sievert Baustoffgruppe), Stefan Schlangen (Scientifi c Assistant to Mr. Sievert at the University 

of Osnabrück), Hans-Wolf Sievert and the students in this year's MBA course at Keda (from l. to r.) 

Intercultural Management and the 

Sievert Baustoffgruppe in China 

For fi ve years Hans-Wolf Sievert has 

taught Intercultural Management as 

guest professor at the well known 

University of Science and Technology 

of China (Keda) in Hefei. The students 

in this course have already earned a 

college degree and are now specializing 

by completing this advanced 

course in Management Business 

Administration (MBA). One of the 

highlights of this course of study is 

a group visit to the Chinese affi liate 

of the Sievert Construction Materials 

Group as well as the subsequent 

discussion with the local German 

Manager, Mr. Gerhard Schulze. The 

Presently a new track for high 

speed trains is being built between 

Peking and Shanghai. 

When fi nished in 2012, this track 

with a length of 1,302 km will 

ensure entirely new dimensions in 

the connection between the two 

cities. This project brought 

quick-mix its largest order to date 

in China. 

The fi rst track for the new route will 

be laid on July 19th after two years 

of preparatory work. This project 

will employ one-half million workers 

for laying the track by the end 

of the year. Beginning in 2012 trains 

Chinese students always show a great 

deal of commitment and interest during 

the lectures and fi eld trips. 

For quick-mix and fdu China this university 

project represents an important 

personnel and product marketing 

measure. Many students apply for a 

job at our company at the conclusion 

of their MBA studies and are 

impressed with our products, so that 

we can certainly win them as customers 

later. 

High speed railroad route between Peking and Shanghai 

Major contract for quick-mix 

are scheduled to run at intervals of 

fi ve minutes carrying up to 220,000 

passengers per day. The traveling 

time will be shortened to fi ve hours 

- in spite of intermediate stops at 21 

stations. A gigantic project for Chief 

Railroad Engineer He Huawu, who 

described the operating speed of 350 

kilometers per hour with the words 

"Flying over the ground" at the ministry's 

press conference. 

With this expensive track with costs 

of 220.9 billion Yuan (nearly 25 billion 

euros), Peking will hold the record for 

the fastest and longest high speed 

trains in the world. In December 2009 

the fi rst 1000 kilometer long section 

from Wuhan to Canton was put into 

operation shortening the traveling 

Left rear: Ms Jiang Hong, Doctoral Candidate 

of Hans-Wolf Sievert, right Mr. Wu Shouxiang, 

alumnus, now employed by fdu China. 

time to three hours at a speed of 350 

km/h. 

This project has put quick-mix at the 

limits of its capacity. Nearly 35,000 

tons of mortar will have to be delivered 

within three months for this high 

speed railroad section. This material 

will be poured at the construction site 

in combination with asphalt as a base 

for the track construction. Production 

will have to run in three shifts to 

meet this demand. This construction 

project is also an excellent reference 

for increasing the level of familiarity 

with Sievert products on the Chinese 

market.

The Sievert Baustoffgruppe is 

associated with the Georg August 

University in Göttingen in 

a special manner. Here a unique 

position in the Federal Republic 

of Germany, a Professorship for 

East Asian Sciences/China was 

established for the fi rst time 

for the Summer Semester 2009. 

This chair was endowed by fi ve 

Lower Saxon companies, including 

Sievert AG as co-sponsor. However 

our obligation goes beyond just 

this: Hans-Wolf Sievert assumed a 

teaching assignment for the East 

Asian Seminar. 

Sievert Baustoffgruppe China 

Podium discussion in the auditorium at Wilhelms place: Trudbert Merkel, Dr. Bernd Blumenberg, Dr. Jörg Mull, Prof. Hans-Wolf Sievert, 

Ma Canrong, Dr. Hagen Duenbostel and Klaus Thimm (from l. to r.) 

China week at the University of Göttingen 

German Economy in China 

Under the title "China: Science, 

Economy and Culture - Together on 

the Way to Knowledge" the University 

extended invitations to a variety 

of events within the scope of its China 

week from July 6 to 9, 2010. The 

opportunities for study, research 

and business involving China were 

introduced in workshops, lectures and 

discussions as well as a comprehensive 

cultural program. The Chinese 

and German speakers and guests 

included high ranking representatives 

of colleges, advisory institutions 

and business companies from both 

countries. 

The events were concluded on July 

9th by the Economic Day with certifi 

ed experts. The former Chinese Ambassador 

to Germany, Ma Canrong, 

spoke fi rst regarding the Chinese economic 

relationships to Germany, the 

State Secretary from the Lower Saxon 

Ministry for Economic Affairs, Labor 

and Transport, Dr. Oliver Liersch, held 

a speech on the subject of Germany, 

Lower Saxony and China. 

The Chief Financial Offi cer for the 

Volkswagen Group China and Chairman 

of the German Chamber of Commerce 

in China, Dr. Jörg Mull, President 

of the German-Chinese Joint Venture 

BASF-YPC, Dr. Bernd Blumenberg, and 

Senior Fund Manager at Deka Investment 

Bank, Trudbert Merkel explained 

their view of German business ventures 

in China. 

At the conclusion they discussed the 

situation and perspectives for German- 

Chinese economic cooperation with 

representatives of the Southern Lower 

Saxon economy. The participants included 

Dr. Hagen Duenbostel, Member 

of the Board of Directors at KWS Saat 

AG and Member of the Supervisory 

Board of Sievert AG as well as Klaus 

Thimm, THIMM The Highpackaging 

Group. Hans-Wolf Sievert moderated 

the podium discussion. His résumé: 

“China is a market of the superlative, 

which does, however, still have a number 

of obstacles. Too much bureaucracy 

and long, drawn-out decision-making 

processes are presently the major factors 

interfering with German-Chinese 

economic relationships.” 

27

28 

About our staff 

40 years at quick-mix: 

Horst Deutschmann 

1970: The US Band Creedence 

Clearwater Revival ("Travelin’ Band“) 

made one hit after another, Borussia 

Mönchengladbach won the German 

soccer championships and started in a 

golden decade, Hildegard Knef wrote 

Anniversaries during the fi rst half of 2011 

Congratulations! 

10th Anniversary 25th Anniversary 40th Anniversary 

Marco Girke 

quick-mix Leipzig 

Jan.1, 2011 

Stefanie König 

quick-mix Kruft 

Jan.1, 2011 

Thomas Steitz 

quick-mix Kaltenkirchen 

Jan.1, 2011 

Gerald Rebler 

quick-mix Porphyr 

Mar. 1, 2011 

Ulrich Volkmann 

sht 

Mar. 1, 2011 

Manfred Zwarg 

sht 

Mar. 1, 2011 

her best seller "Gift Horse“ and "Taxi 

to Leipzig", the fi rst installment of the 

German 'Crime Scene' series Tatort, 

was broadcast. And on December 1st 

Horst Deutschmann started at quickmix 

in Hamburg-Kaltenkirchen, where 

Kai Bielefeld 

sht 

Mar. 12, 2011 

Ludger Slabik 

quick-mix Marl 

Apr. 1, 2011 

Andreas Greshake 

sht 

April 17, 2011 

Ulrich von Hahn 

sht 

May 1, 2011 

Rudolf Lange 

sht 

May 14, 2011 

Jörg Köbbe 

Sievert Informationstechnik 

Jun. 1, 2011 

Daniela Kroll 

sht 

Jan. 1, 2011 

Wolfgang Kionke 

Sievert Logistik 

Apr 1, 2011 

Helmut Traichel 

quick-mix Kruft 

Jun. 11, 2011 

Franz Josef Tepe 

sht 

Jun. 23, 2011 

he has been employed as a forklift 

driver as well as in production ever 

since. 

Horst Deutschmann does not travel 

on wheels at work only. His hobbies 

include riding a motorbike. He also 

collects model trucks and his two 

dogs, Anton and Luna, make sure he 

gets enough exercise. 

Congratulations on this round anniversary. 

Horst Deutschmann with 

his "company vehicle". 

Flowers and a certifi cate 

for his fortieth anniversary. 

Ewald Franz 


Mar. 1, 2011 

Engelbert Franz 


Mar. 15, 2011 

Hannelore Brümmer 

quick-mix Holding 

Apr 1, 2011 

Ilse Paucnik 

Sievert AG 

Apr 1, 2011 

Ursula Meyer 

sht 

May 1, 2011

Dr. Jochen Kratzsch radiates humor. 

As we were discussing a new 

picture for the "dialog", he picked 

out one showing him eating at a 

dinner in China. His comment: “In 

China eating is an important cultural 

event. The picture should not 

show that we ate all the time, but 

it should indicate the danger of 

unknown food materials hidden 

in the depths of the soup bowl.” A 

healthy attitude towards life. 

This former, long-time training director 

and chief of the Technical Service 

Department at quick-mix has traveled 

extensively in China since his retirement 

in November 2008. On the one 

hand to train Chinese quick-mix product 

users. On the other to familiarize 

China's future architects and civil 

engineers with German construction 

technology. This also includes lectures, 

which Dr. Kratzsch has held at the 

Technical University of Hefei and the 

Tonji University in Shanghai during the 

past year. 

Construction was and still remains 

the occupational focal point of Dr. 

Jochen Kratzsch's life. Born in 1943 

in Karlsbad, he obtained his Master's 

Degree in Engineering specializing in 

construction machinery and conveying 

technology, and then went on to 

earn his Doctorate at the Technical 

University of Leipzig, after which he 

assumed a management position at 

a Leipzig construction company - this 

is a brief synopsis of his career up 

to 1991. And then came quick-mix: 

"A friend, who had just started at 

quick-mix, knew they were looking 

for employees. After a short meeting 

with the sales manager for special 

About our staff 

Peking, June 2009: Jens Köhler, Project Manager responsible for knowhow transfer at quick-mix; 

Dr. Jochen Kratzsch; Prof. Zhang, University of Peking and his assistent Dr. Zhao (from l. to r.) 

What does Dr. Jochen 

Kratzsch actually do? 

products, I was hired. It was all very 

uncomplicated." 

Important stages in his over 17 years 

at quick-mix? Dr. Kratzsch: "For me 

this consists of building up a stable, 

highly motivated sales team, starting 

up the plant in Leipzig and development 

of the excellent cooperation 

between the training team, R&D and 

the other departments in Osnabrück. 

My quick-mix responsibilities in China 

focus on employee training and 

construction site consulting. Last year 

I held a few courses of training for the 

sales organizations in Leipzig and 

Rostock. Since I am interested in 

quick-mix's development in Leipzig 

and don't live far away, I visit my 

former colleagues frequently and 

am often asked for my advice. And 

then I will continue my work as an 

appraiser, although not very actively, 

for one more year - at 68 I will have 

to give this up too. But it does force 

me to keep up-to-date professionally 

and not lose my contact to construction, 

so that I can lead disputes with 

attorneys. 

Hobbies? "Hiking in Germany", 

replied Dr. Kratzsch, "we belong to an 

Osnabrück hiking club and alternately 

take hikes in the old and new German 

states. This cements personal contacts 

with others and we become acquainted 

with beautiful regions. 

We have a daughter, Ina, who has 

worked as an architect in the vicinity 

of Cincinnati for over ten years - so 

the USA is one of our primary travel 

destinations and at Christmas we will 

again be crossing the Atlantic. Next 

year my wife, Hildegard, and I are 

planning a trip to China." 

Other recreational activities? "Three 

times a week I participate in active 

fi tness sports and ride my bike frequently. 

Since I am a computer freak 

- I created my home page myself - I 

use my computer very actively and am 

in Xing, facebook, etc. And then we 

have a little garden plot: With a size 

of 150 sq. meters, it is manageable 

and I can't do a great deal of damage 

even with my low knowledge of 

gardening. My plans for designing a 

remote-controlled lawn mower, have 

been vetoed by my wife. But we do 

like to spend leisure time in our garden." 

His humor comes out again. 

29

30 

Travel Tip 

Lincolnshire, East Midlands, England 

Astonishing country 

full of contrasts 

Graham Shores originated from 

Lincolnshire, England and has 

been employed as a driver at sht 

since 1992. He visits his old home, 

the city of Skegness, regularly. 

Reading his holiday tip makes you 

want to start the journey straight 

away. 

Graham Shores in front of his club: 

He likes to play a round of golf here 

when he is in Skegness. 

“It is really worthwhile visiting the 

place I live, Skegness in Lincolnshire, 

England. Skegness is the most 

important seaside resort on the coast 

of Lincolnshire, and has been a very 

popular holiday spot for young and 

old for over a hundred years. 

There is so much to see. How should I 

start? The Nature Land rescue station 

for seals, the churches, the pier, the 

children's adventure centre, miniature 

golf, 10-pin bowling or playing golf at 

one of the two 18-hole courses - not 

to mention strolling on the promenade 

or shopping seven days a week. 

And you just have to try the fi sh and 

chips, and, naturally the British beer. 

There is something for everyone. The 

beautiful beach with its white sand is 

always an attraction. You can paddle, 

sail or enjoy the many attractions 

along the sea and promenade. The 

beach has even received the desired 

Blue Flag Award. This not only distinguishes 

a clean beach; it also certifi es 

the quality of the water and lifeguards 

for safety. And nightlife does 

not come to short. You can visit the 

theatre, a show or one of the rustic 

English pubs and the food is always 

great... 

You really develop a special bond 

to Skegness: The great entertainer 

and showman Billy Butlin came here 

in 1921 and entertained people on 

holiday. He built the Butlins Holiday 

The Lincoln Cathedral 

Camp to the south of the pier between 

Skegness and Ingoldmells with 

all sorts of stores and carrousels. The 

roller coaster and other attractions 

were added in the course of the years. 

It's just like being at a great big fair. 

There are plenty of accommodations. 

Either you can take advantage of the 

"bed and breakfast" offers or you can 

hire a large, stationary caravan bungalow. 

Numerous hotels in all price 

classes also offer accommodations. 

If you have a motorcar you can visit 

the surrounding villages and cities - 

the historical churches, castles and 

ruins. Here you can also fi nd houses 

over 200 years old, enormous estates, 

also called the "Holland of the 

Island". 

Lincolnshire is an astonishing country 

full of contrasts with it own very

On October 3rd the competition for 

the great quick-mix prize was decided 

by the blink of an eye. All totaled 

13 of the 45 starters reached the 

play-offs. The last to start was Tim 

Rieskamp-Goedeking (Westerkappeln) 

with his 11-year-old stallion Quartz - 

and he took every risk. With faultfree, 

spectacular turns, he succeeded 

in getting past the leader up to that 

time - Eva Bittner from Bad Essen. 

His winning margin: 0.46 seconds. 

special character - still a real insider 

tip for a stay-over in England. Wide 

open sky, a continuously changing 

horizon, room to breath and relax. 

History is still a very vital thing in this 

country with its rich culture. You can 

experience it as near as your skin - for 

example the gigantic cathedral in 

Lincoln, one of England's most signifi 

cant Gothic buildings. Or you can 

escape the hectic of everyday life and 

enjoy the quietness of the Lincolnshire 

wolds (heath landscape) or the 

untouched natural moor. 

The peaceful country, the picturesque 

villages, kilometers of sandy coast or 

the quiet beaches visited by freeroaming 

animals. Lincolnshire with 

its excellently marked paths is perfect 

for hikers and bikers alike. Regardless 

of whether you walk slowly or 

hike along at a fast pace - everyone is 

certain to fi nd a suitable route. 

For Tim Rieskamp-Goedeking this was 

already his second victory at Haster 

Berg. Even as a very young rider he 

won the tournament in 1999, but 

then had to share his success with 

Christian Ahlmann - a one-time oc- 

You can ride a bicycle through the 

country - for example from Barton 

through Lincoln to Boston - or discover 

the city with the Lincoln bike 

map. 

In Lincolnshire you are always bound 

to continuously run across cultural 

treasures. For example the four originals 

of the Magna Carta are kept in 

Lincoln Castle. The poet Alfred Tennyson 

came from Lincolnshire just as 

well as the physicist Isaac Newton. 

And you can taste the fresh products 

from the region anywhere. Holiday for 

all your senses... 

Take a trip to a new place. 

Visit Lincolnshire!" 

25th Rulle Equestrian Days 

Suspenseful play-off for the great quick-mix prize 

PUBLISHING INFORMATION: 

dialog is a publication of 

Sievert Baustoffgruppe 

Mühleneschweg 6 

D-49090 Osnabrück 

Telephone + 49 (0) 5 41- 601 00 

Editing: 

Benedikt Kossen 

Rui Macedo 

Ilse Meyer-Lemke 

Gerhard Schulze 

Helmut Wilke 

Editorial implementation 

and realization: 

, Osnabrück 

Tim Rieskamp-Goedeking auf Quartz: Champion 2010 

currence in the 25 year history of the 

Rulle Equestrian Days. Host Heinz Sudowe 

spoke of a milestone: "We have 

never had this much suspense." The 

spectators certainly got their money's 

worth. 

31

Nicole Schulze 

This painter and graphic artist - born 

in 1978 - loves to absorb the infl uences 

and information surrounding 

her to later incorporate it into her 

works, which have already been 

shown in the Netherlands, Ireland, 

England and Germany. 

The subjects of her usually fi gurative 

works include stereotypes and clichés 

about politics, sexuality, religion, 

mythology, foreign cultures, old and 

new values - snapshots of society. 

Her collective impressions come from 

various pictures and ideas from advertising, 

radio and television, which 

she then combines into one work. 

The contents of her sketches and 

sculptures - humorous to sarcastic, 

sometimes sad and refl ective - are 

drawn with various colors, contrasts 

and volume. 

She creates these effects with pencil, 

ink, charcoal, colored pencils and 

water colors. For her sculptures she 

uses porcelain, clay and other natural 

materials. 

32 

Art at the Casino 

"marches & maneuvers“ 

"the truth“ 

"it‘s my party“ 

On exhibit in the Sievert Casino in Osnabrück until March 31, 2011. 

Further work and information at www.nicoleschulze.com

Sievert Baustoffgruppe: Management Conference ... - Sievert AG + Co.

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