Building means thinking in generations
Interview with Ricarda Stäbler, Managing Director of Gottlob Stäbler GmbH + Co. KG
In the construction industry, the success of a company is based on perspective thinking, the trust of its customers, and the loyalty of its employees. All this can be claimed by Gottlob Stäbler GmbH & Co. KG – and that for now 100 years. With Ricarda Stäbler, the 4th generation now carries the responsibility in the family business. She talks to us about the development of her company through the decades and makes a clear appeal to politics.
The company Gottlob Stäbler GmbH & Co. KG is active in the fields of demolition, earthworks, and raw construction, and to a limited extent in turnkey construction. 'However, the latter only if we also act as project developers. Our main business field is raw construction,' outlines Managing Director Ricarda Stäbler the company's range of services, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
The Work of Generations
Founded in 1924 by Gottlob Stäbler, the company has been owned by the Stäbler family to this day. His great-granddaughter Ricarda Stäbler represents the 4th generation and runs it today together with her father Kurt Stäbler. 'Each generation has contributed in its own way to the firm's continuity,' she reflects. 'My great-grandfather as the founder, my grandfather by securing the large plot on which we could develop, and my father and my uncle, who had to lead the company out of economically difficult situations. And I myself want to contribute by steering the company safely through the current challenging times.'
In this regard, the Managing Director speaks plainly about politics: 'There is a demand everywhere for affordable housing. However, the demands concerning new construction or renovations always increase, while funding decreases. The construction industry is like a large steamer: once it has come to a halt, it is difficult to get it moving quickly again. A lot has been neglected by the politicians, who mainly support the automotive industry – with serious consequences, because one does not need a new car as much as a roof over one's head!'
Loyal customers, loyal employees
Gottlob Stäbler GmbH & Co. KG operates within about a 40 km radius around Weil der Stadt. 'We actually wanted to keep it that way,' says Ricarda Stäbler. 'However, two additional companies have now joined: one is a newly founded company dedicated to building material recycling. Another is a specialty civil engineering company we acquired at the turn of the year, which operates within a radius of up to 300 km around Weil der Stadt.' In total, Stäbler has 60 employees and currently generates an annual turnover of 20 million EUR, with the majority of customers being private clients. 'So mainly companies or property developers,' clarifies Ricarda Stäbler. Some of these customers have been loyal to the company for a long time, just as many of its employees: 'We have people who have been with us for decades. They have a special bond with the company. We owe our success to our employees!'