Plugging Holes and Managing Data
Interview with Dr.-Ing. Karsten Gruber, Managing Director and Joachim Ernst, Managing Director of OBERMEYER Infrastruktur GmbH & Co. KG
For over six decades, the Munich-based OBERMEYER Group has shaped the engineering and planning culture in Germany. In 2020, OBERMEYER Infrastruktur GmbH & Co. KG was founded as an independent company to more specifically address the challenges of modern transport carriers and supply networks. In an interview with Wirtschaftsforum, managing directors Dr.-Ing. Karsten Gruber and Joachim Ernst reveal what makes OBERMEYER strong.
Wirtschaftsforum: Dr. Gruber, Mr. Ernst, briefly about your professional backgrounds: What led you to OBERMEYER?
Dr. Karsten Gruber: I originally come from operational construction business, have been working in the world of planning offices for over 13 years, and since 2022, I am the spokesperson for the management of OBERMEYER Infrastruktur. I am fascinated by the breadth and depth of the infrastructure topics we deal with - from water to rail to road projects.
Joachim Ernst: I completed training in the field of auditing, was a commercial managing director in the industry for many years, and will move to OBERMEYER in 2024. What particularly appeals to me here is the combination of size, internationality, and yet a familial character.
Wirtschaftsforum: OBERMEYER Infrastruktur was spun off as an independent company from the group in 2020. What has particularly distinguished the company since then?
Dr. Karsten Gruber: With around 650 employees, we are one of the largest planning offices in Germany. This gives us a vast breadth of expertise. We can cover all aspects, from technical planning and project management to construction supervision. At the same time, we are decentralized with 18 locations in Germany, which work closely together and pool their knowledge. This cooperation makes us especially valuable to our customers.
Joachim Ernst: In a market that is often fragmented, we are able to offer comprehensive solutions. Customers appreciate that they can get everything from us - and that we collaborate with other engineering communities when necessary.
Wirtschaftsforum: What topics are currently driving your business?
Dr. Karsten Gruber: There is a huge demand for infrastructure measures, whether in roads, railways, engineering structures, energy corridors, or water supply. The biggest challenge is not the volume of orders, but the resources. There is a shortage of skilled workers. Therefore, it is crucial to be an attractive employer.
Joachim Ernst: We invest heavily in our corporate culture, focusing on networking, exchange, and further education. Our women's network for women in leadership positions is an important component, as are the clear values we have developed together with our employees: pioneering spirit, humanity, commitment. All this contributes to us being recognized as an outstanding employer by Fokus and Kununu.
Wirtschaftsforum: How do you address the topic of digitalization?
Joachim Ernst: For us, digitalization means not chasing every hype, but structuring and utilizing data. We invest seven-figure amounts in data management and develop our own methods that make us pioneers in this area. We are supported by the Leonhard Obermeyer Center, which we founded together with TU Munich. It allows us to transfer current research topics directly into practice.
Dr. Karsten Gruber: Digitalization also opens up new possibilities in lifecycle management: Today, a bridge can not only be planned but also supported throughout its entire lifecycle. This creates real added value in terms of sustainability and resource conservation.
Wirtschaftsforum: Keyword sustainability - what role does it play in your business model?
Joachim Ernst: Sustainability is an integral part of our work, whether in transportation planning, energy corridors, or urban mobility concepts. We have developed a procedure with Creditreform to implement ESG criteria in a practical way - without unnecessary bureaucracy, but with measurable effects.
Dr. Karsten Gruber: While sustainability is a matter of course in countries like the Netherlands or Scandinavia, we are still at the beginning in Germany. We try to develop pragmatic and affordable solutions. Ultimately, it's about taking responsibility: for the environment, but also for society.
Wirtschaftsforum: Where is OBERMEYER Infrastruktur heading in the coming years?
Dr. Karsten Gruber: We will continuously expand our core business, especially in the fields of water management and project management. At the same time, we focus on qualitative growth - sensibly and with a sense of proportion, not at any cost.
Joachim Ernst: Our goal is to safely guide our 650 employees through the changes. Digitalization, sustainability, and securing skilled workers will occupy us for a long time to come. What is crucial for us is to maintain the joy in our work.