Efficiency Cast in Concrete
Interview with Michael Tschenett, Sales Director of Mayer Schaltechnik GmbH
Whether bridges, skyscrapers, or residential complexes – no concrete structures are built without formwork. In this highly specialized market, Mayer Schaltechnik GmbH from Bergrheinfeld has made a name for itself. For more than 30 years, the family-owned company has been developing solutions that consistently meet the practical requirements – from the first column formwork PAX to the innovative ceiling formwork system klappMAX.
Wirtschaftsforum: Mr. Tschenett, you have only recently joined Mayer Schaltechnik. What attracted you to take on this position?
Michael Tschenett: I have been in the formwork industry for 17 years and had previously led another company as managing director for many years. After a short break, it was ultimately Mayer's philosophy that convinced me: Our products are tailored to the construction site, not the other way around. This means we do not develop in isolation, but rather we ask: What do construction companies really need to work more efficiently and safely? This mindset, coupled with a high degree of innovation, excited me.
Wirtschaftsforum: What developments are exemplary for this innovative approach?
Michael Tschenett: A milestone was the PAX column formwork in the early 1990s. It was the first truly workable solution on the market and has proven its worth to this day – there is hardly any comparable system that achieves this quality and flexibility.
Another highlight is FLUXX. Those who build hollow walls are familiar with the problem: a gap remains between the walls that had to be temporarily closed with foam or wood – resulting in poor concrete finish and high effort. Our FLUXX wall and floor rails provide an elegant solution: they enable clean concreting without additional work. This saves time, manpower and delivers significantly better quality.
The latest innovation is the klappMAX – a ceiling formwork that came to the market after five years of development time and an intensive testing phase. The system can be operated by a single person, safely from the ground, without a ladder or fall protection. It was inspired by a foldable table tennis table – just unfold, set up and start. This not only reduces the time effort but also significantly increases safety on the construction site.
Wirtschaftsforum: How do you ensure that such products prove effective in practice?
Michael Tschenett: As early as 2008, we established a customer advisory board, which includes entrepreneurs and practitioners from the construction industry to share their experiences and ideas. There, new concepts are openly discussed, tested, and developed further. For example, klappMAX was created over several years of collaboration – with numerous prototypes and construction site tests in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. This direct feedback is invaluable.
Wirtschaftsforum: What specific benefits do construction companies get from these innovations?
Michael Tschenett: Our systems are designed to operate with fewer personnel – a crucial advantage given the shortage of skilled workers and high wage costs. For example, setting up a 20 m2 ceiling with traditional wooden beams takes about 20 minutes and requires several workers. With our klappMAX system, a skilled foreman can do the same area in under four minutes – and he can do it alone.
Another advantage is planning reliability: Thanks to clearly defined load points, about half as many supports are needed as with wooden beams. This significantly eases work preparation and saves on material costs. Additionally, klappMAX is designed so that the finished formwork boxes fit through any shell construction door – a detail that is extremely important in practice.
Wirtschaftsforum: Are further developments being worked on?
Michael Tschenett: Yes, we currently have expansions for klappMAX in the pipeline, for instance, a version that covers larger areas at once. The goal remains to combine maximum efficiency with simple handling. And of course, we also keep an eye on new requirements from practice – if several customers describe the same challenge, we specifically look for a solution.
Wirtschaftsforum: Where do you see Mayer Schaltechnik in the coming years?
Michael Tschenett: In the short term, our focus continues to be on the DACH region, as there is still great potential here. Simultaneously, we are exploring new markets: Scandinavia is particularly interesting due to its high labor costs, in the medium term we see opportunities in the Middle East, and in the long term also in the USA. I have already established international sales structures in my career – I am now using this knowledge for Mayer.
Wirtschaftsforum: And how do you maintain the character of a family business in this process?
Michael Tschenett: This is very important to us. With around 45 employees, we are still structured in a way that allows us to live a family business culture. Some colleagues have been with us for over 20 years. For us, people and teamwork are the focus – whether at employee events, at our in-house fair, or in day-to-day operations. With Marion Mayer-Sorgo as the successor to the company founder Bernhard Mayer, the next generation remains firmly anchored in the company. At the same time, Bernhard Mayer continues to contribute his ideas to product development – a benefit for us all.