Full Throttle to Success
Interview with Dipl.-Ing. Frank Ackermann, Managing Director of Fritz Wiedemann & Sohn GmbH
High-pressure water jetting has established itself as an indispensable technology in structural repair in recent years. With water pressures of up to 3,000 bar, concrete surfaces are gently yet effectively removed or prepared without damaging the load-bearing structure. For nearly eight decades, Fritz Wiedemann & Sohn GmbH has stood for the highest quality in structural repair, facade renovation, and the repair of drinking water tanks.
European Business: Mr. Ackermann, what areas does your company cover today?
Frank Ackermann: Our main business areas are energy retrofitting – for example, we include the facades at the new Terminal 3 of Frankfurt Airport among our current major projects – as well as the maintenance of drinking water tanks and engineering structures. In addition, we are also heavily involved in the concrete restoration of buildings, such as the refurbishment and repurposing of existing properties. This is increasingly relevant for investors, as new constructions are not only expensive but are also questioned in terms of climate policy. CO2 savings in the construction industry is a major issue that we are actively addressing.
European Business: Your facade work at Frankfurt Airport is impressive. What exactly have you implemented there?
Frank Ackermann: At Terminal 3, we are carrying out facade work valued at about 13 million EUR. Our contract covers a facade area of 65,000 m2, which is being insulated with mineral wool; of this, 12,000 m2 is covered with high-quality tile cladding and 53,000 m2 with a mineral plaster. In addition to the terminal itself, we are also involved in the new tower and other buildings. Such projects demonstrate how capable we are as a medium-sized company.
Wirtschaftsforum: You also spoke about drinking water tanks as an important business area. Why is this sector strategically significant for you?
Frank Ackermann: The refurbishment of drinking water tanks is a very special segment. Germany has extremely high standards and continuously invests in the quality of its infrastructure. These tasks require companies with high qualifications and reliability. We are one of the leading companies in Germany in this field and benefit from our decades of experience. Drinking water is essential for society, but less present in the media compared to, for example, energy topics – yet it is just as important.
Wirtschaftsforum: What strategy are you following for the further development of the company?
Frank Ackermann: Our strategy is to expand the portfolio through targeted acquisitions. Over the past few years, we have acquired, among other things, a company in Dresden that works in structural engineering, as well as the company Wannenwetsch in Meiningen, one of the most significant high-pressure water jet companies in Germany. This technique is needed wherever old concrete needs to be removed without destruction, such as in tunnel renovations or drinking water tanks. Through the acquisition, we not only secure skills in-house but also jobs – in Thuringia, we were able to save around 50 jobs as a result. We want to move away from the traditional model of involving many subcontractors. By having key skills in-house, we ensure quality, reduce dependencies, and strengthen our position in the market. This gives us competitive advantages, as we can act flexibly and reliably. Moreover, this gives us better control over costs and processes, which is crucial in our industry.
Wirtschaftsforum: What distinguishes Fritz Wiedemann & Sohn GmbH from other providers in the market?
Frank Ackermann: Our great strength is the combination of experience and willingness to innovate. We have always focused on our core competencies, never overestimated ourselves, and at the same time opened up new business fields such as energy renovation or carbon concrete construction. Additionally, we place great value on reliability, quality, and further training of our employees. We work with very good controlling and professional risk management. This way, we don't take any risks that we cannot manage – a philosophy that many medium-sized companies underestimate.
Wirtschaftsforum: Where do you see your company in the coming years?
Frank Ackermann: We want to continue to grow by establishing bases in Germany to shorten the paths to our clients. At the same time, we are aiming for stronger expansion into Switzerland and Austria, particularly in the drinking water sector. We are also currently examining opportunities in the Arab region, such as in the GCC states, where German engineering expertise is in high demand. However, the shortage of skilled workers in Germany presents us with challenges—especially as readiness for assembly is becoming increasingly rare. Therefore, we are thinking more internationally to continue to be successful.
Wirtschaftsforum: What motivates you personally in your daily work?
Frank Ackermann: What motivates me is the opportunity to shape things, to carry responsibility, and to continuously develop a company. It is especially important to me to secure the jobs of our employees and to create new perspectives. When I see that we are successful as a team and jointly handle large projects, it confirms me in my task.