Projects that will significantly shape the future of Germany
Interview with Jasper Strauß, Managing Partner of KIRCHNER INGENIEURE
A planning and engineering office like KIRCHNER INGENIEURE is key to innovative and sustainable construction projects. Its range of services extends from infrastructure planning to renewable energies and specialized areas such as liquid floors, environmental construction supervision, and geographic information systems. With an interdisciplinary team and state-of-the-art technology, the company implements pioneering projects that combine functionality, efficiency, and environmental compatibility. In the interview, managing partner Jasper Strauß provides insights into the company's development, the challenges of the market, and explains his vision for the future.
Wirtschaftsforum: Mr. Strauß, what milestones have you been able to achieve at KIRCHNER INGENIEURE in recent years?
Jasper Strauß: One of the biggest challenges was the demographic change. When we took over the company, the average age was over 53 years – that was not sustainable in the long term. Through targeted recruiting and the development of a modern employer brand, we were able to rejuvenate the company while simultaneously massively driving growth. We employ 300 employees and have doubled our turnover within four years. In addition, we have sharpened our range of services. While we were previously heavily involved in surveying, today we focus on key areas such as the energy transition, infrastructure, and digitalization. This reorientation was necessary, as we recognized that traditional activities like pure surveying are increasingly being replaced by modern digital methods. The conscious decision to focus on innovative and future-proof areas has proven to be absolutely correct. Today, we are involved in projects that decisively shape the future of Germany, whether in the area of renewable energies or the digital transformation of infrastructure projects.
Wirtschaftsforum: What innovative approaches is KIRCHNER INGENIEURE pursuing today?
Jasper Strauß: We are active in several forward-looking areas. One particularly important area is the energy transition. We plan and implement projects related to wind farms, photovoltaic systems, and pipeline infrastructures for hydrogen. Sustainable energy supply will be one of the greatest challenges in the coming years, and we are proud to be able to make a decisive contribution with our expertise. We are also strongly represented in the infrastructure sector, especially in highway and pipeline construction, as well as broadband expansion. Another significant focus is on digitalization. We rely on Building Information Modeling (BIM) to ensure efficient and sustainable planning. BIM allows us to simulate construction projects in 3D and minimize sources of error in the planning phase. The advantage for our customers is significantly higher efficiency and cost savings. In addition, sustainability and ecological construction supervision play a central role in our company. We place great emphasis on resource-saving construction methods and accompany projects from the outset with an ecological perspective. The area of soil analysis also belongs to our important fields of innovation. By using modern methods like liquid soils, we can work in a resource-efficient and economical manner. This method reduces soil exchange and enables a more sustainable construction method, which is also economically sensible.
Wirtschaftsforum: How has your company held its own against the shortage of skilled workers?
Jasper Strauß: We recognized early on that we need to be an attractive employer. In addition to competitive salaries, we offer maximum flexibility in work design, digital work models, opportunities for further training, and family-friendly conditions. As a family business, we live by the principle of reconciling work and family life - and word gets around. Our philosophy is based on transparency, trust, and clear communication. Every employee has insight into the economic situation of the company and understands how their contribution aids the overall success. This strengthens their identification with the company and promotes long-term employee retention. Additionally, we have established a strong internal training program that allows our employees to continuously develop and keep up with the latest technological advancements.
Wirtschaftsforum: What challenges do you currently see in the market?
Jasper Strauß: The biggest hurdle is the uncertainty in long-term planning. Companies can adapt to many things, but when political conditions constantly change, it becomes difficult. Continuity is urgently needed here. We also wish for less bureaucracy and more entrepreneurial freedom. Especially in the construction industry, there are many regulatory obstacles that delay and increase the costs of projects.
Wirtschaftsforum: What are the next steps for KIRCHNER INGENIEURE?
Jasper Strauß: Our goal is to continue growing sustainably. This year, we plan to grow by 25%. In doing so, we want to further expand our role as general planners and deliberately extend our range of services. Moreover, we are currently examining the possibility of increasing our international activities again. In the past, we have been active in various international markets, including Eastern Europe and the Arab region. The demand for German engineering services is high, and we see a lot of potential here. Another goal is to further digitalize our internal processes and make them even more efficient. For us, digitalization is not just a tool but a strategic key to future growth.