Technology that Brings Spaces to Life

Interview with Ralph Höher, Managing Director of ITV - Ingenieur Team Versorgungstechnik GmbH

The team of ITV - Ingenieur Team Versorgungstechnik GmbH in Berlin: With passion, expertise, and many years of experience, the office has been shaping the technical infrastructure of numerous construction projects for over 20 years

For more than 20 years, ITV - Ingenieur Team Versorgungstechnik GmbH has been significantly shaping the Berlin cityscape. Whether in residential construction, administrative buildings, or renovations of existing structures: the engineering office ensures that technical infrastructure operates reliably while remaining invisible. In an interview with Wirtschaftsforum, Ralph Höher, managing director, co-founder, and partner, discusses the company's history, unique strengths, and his plans for the future.

Wirtschaftsforum: Mr. Höher, how was ITV founded?

Ralph Höher: I have known my business partner Servet Topraksuyu since the mid-1990s. We were both employees, but became unemployed almost at the same time and started our own business in 2000. Two years later, we teamed up with another partner and founded ITV. Since 2004, we have been running the company as co-equal managing directors. Today we employ 19 staff members and focus mainly on projects in Berlin.

Wirtschaftsforum: In which areas are you active?

ITV - Engineering Team Building Services GmbH, Managing Directors Topraksuyu and Höher — Managing Directors Servet Topraksuyu and Ralph Höher lead ITV together

Ralph Höher: We work in administrative and residential construction, for both private developers and the public sector. What is special is that we have developed comprehensive expertise beyond classical building technology. We often supervise structural components along with heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and sanitary technology. Our goal is to integrate technology in a way that allows architects to realize their ideas without constantly facing obstacles.

Wirtschaftsforum: What are ITV's strengths?

Ralph Höher: Clearly our honesty, passion, and attention to detail. We are very perfectionistic and always want to find a solution. We are also available at all times and do not hesitate to admit mistakes. An important point is also that we do all calculations in-house. We don't outsource pipe network or system sizing; we want to personally feel that everything is correct and the system works.

Wirtschaftsforum: Passion is a big word – what does it mean to you personally?

Ralph Höher: For me, it's the enthusiasm to participate in shaping the city. Building technology is invisible, but no building functions without it. We ensure that architects can realize their visions. When an architect finally says, 'Great, we solved it,' then I know the effort was worth it.

Wirtschaftsforum: Which projects have been particularly memorable for you?

Ralph Höher: There are several. In residential construction, it was a terrace project in Köpenick with 154 units, which was technically very challenging. In the public sector, I think of the renovation of the courthouse on Turmstraße, where energy requirements had to be implemented. A highlight was also a modern office building for the Klingsöhr corporate group, where we could realize a highly complex rooftop central with ventilation and cooling.

Wirtschaftsforum: The market is currently difficult – how are you dealing with that?

Ralph Höher: That's true, interest rate policies and construction costs are burdening the private construction industry. At the same time, there is high demand in the public sector. For us, it has always been an advantage to stand on two legs. If residential construction weakens, the public sector supports, and vice versa. This orientation has given us economic stability.

ITV - Engineering Team Supply Technology GmbH New Building Project — New building project Neuköllnische Allee 9, Berlin: ITV planned the entire building technology for the modern commercial building with approximately 13,000 m2 of office space

Wirtschaftsforum: What does that specifically mean for the corporate strategy?

Ralph Höher: We specialize our employees more specifically. Previously we used to say: 'We need a planner' – no matter the area. Today, we are developing specialists: for control and regulation technology, for ventilation, heating, air conditioning, and sanitary facilities. This ensures that everyone knows what they are responsible for. At the same time, we want to grow: We are looking for new office spaces and want to expand to about 25 employees.

Wirtschaftsforum: How important is visibility in the market to you?

Ralph Höher: Very important. In recent years, we have somewhat neglected marketing, and now we are catching up: new website, brochures, revamped office presentation. We want to present ourselves more clearly so that project developers approach us early on. I am convinced that the market will turn again. And then we want to be ready.

Wirtschaftsforum: What still motivates you personally after so many years?

Ralph Höher: I simply have a penchant for technology. As a young craftsman, I was thrilled when everything worked at the end of a project. That joy has remained – and for that, I still happily get up at 6 AM every morning. Of course, there were tough times when we couldn’t pay ourselves a salary. But we persisted and are now a healthy company.

Wirtschaftsforum: A secret to success also seems to be the partnership with your co-founder.

Ralph Höher: Absolutely. Servet Topraksuyu and I have been working together for 25 years - without disputes, without financial conflicts. That is rare in our industry. We have always complemented each other: He is the standard and regulations man, I am more about organization and strategy. This division has made us strong.