Versatility is Our Constant
Interview with Manuel Weißenberger, Managing Director of K. Weißenberger Bedachungen GmbH
The future needs substance – and people who shape it boldly and innovatively. K. Weißenberger Bedachungen GmbH, based in Arnstein in Lower Franconia, has stood for quality in roofing, plumbing, and timber construction for over three decades. The family-run company has evolved from a traditional roofing business to a modern provider in object construction. With entrepreneurial courage and foresight, Managing Director Manuel Weißenberger focuses on sustainable growth and future-proof structures.
Wirtschaftsforum: Mr. Weißenberger, your company has been active for over 30 years. How did the development of your company begin?
Manuel Weißenberger: The business was founded in 1991 by my father as a one-man operation. He was a master roofer and metal worker and from the beginning invested a lot of effort – whether in machinery or in employees. The company has grown steadily. I joined in 2009 as a master carpenter. At that time, we decided to firmly incorporate timber construction into our portfolio. This was a crucial step, as it allowed us to broaden our offerings and realize complex construction projects from a single source. Today we have about 35 employees, about 15 of whom are in timber construction. Ten trainees are currently enhancing our teams – this is a very pleasing development.
Wirtschaftsforum: What is your core business, and what customer groups do you serve?
Manuel Weißenberger: Our strength lies in our versatility. We serve both private customers with single-family homes and developers and investors in multi-family residential construction. Public clients such as schools, kindergartens, or barracks are also among our customers. We are heavily involved in commercial construction. Our projects often feature exceptional architectural or technical requirements. We predominantly work regionally within a radius of about 100 km, although this radius can expand for larger projects.
Wirtschaftsforum: How do you manage to attract sufficient new talent in times of skilled labor shortages?
Manuel Weißenberger: We heavily invest in fostering young talent. In addition to participating in training fairs, we are regularly active in schools, at the 'Day of Crafts' or in practical projects. For instance, the students build birdhouses and thereby get to practically learn about our professions. We also reach a young audience through social media by providing insights into the crafts. This isn't primarily about advertising for us, but about sparking enthusiasm for the professions.
Wirtschaftsforum: What is the most unique feature of your company?
Manuel Weißenberger: Definitely our team! We have an extremely committed, highly skilled, and loyal team with long tenure. These people are the backbone of our company. Additionally, our willingness to innovate – whether it’s in terms of construction methods, machinery, or organization – sets us apart. Stagnation is not an option for us. Our guiding principle is: Those who do not evolve, fall behind.
Wirtschaftsforum: What are your plans for the coming years?
Manuel Weißenberger: We are in the midst of the largest investment in our company's history. We are currently building our new location, just a few hundred meters away from the current one. There, we will have 8,500 m2 of space available – almost three times the size of our current operational area. With new equipment and optimized processes, we aim not only to work more efficiently but also to create new jobs. Our goal is to grow to at least 50 employees. The move is planned for the beginning of next year.
Wirtschaftsforum: Such an investment surely required a lot of courage?
Manuel Weißenberger: Absolutely, such a decision is not made lightly. It involves sums that make you gulp initially. But if you believe in your team, your achievements, and your strategy, then courage is the logical consequence. We have proven time and again that we can manage such steps. Of course, there remains an element of risk – but who dares nothing, wins nothing. And those in our industry who play it safe will be overtaken in the long run.