Master Planner and More
Interview with Steffen Gaida, Managing Director of rauschenberg ingenieure gmbh
Working with tomorrow's solutions today – this has become the standard for rauschenberg ingenieure gmbh. The company is a planning office for technical building equipment, also offers areas of architecture and master planning, and distinguishes itself from the competition with these demanding services. Public clients, in particular, appreciate rauschenberg's experience, know-how, and commitment.
Wirtschaftsforum: Mr. Gaida, since 2023 you have been one of the managing directors at Rauschenberg. You started there in 2013 as a student assistant. How have you experienced the development of the company?
Steffen Gaida: Rauschenberg has been on the market for 30 years, it was founded in 1994 under the name Bollig + Partner and has since developed consistently. There were renaming, in 2003 and 2010 branches were established, and in 2012 it merged into a company that operates under today's name. Fundamental to Rauschenberg's development is the idea of acting as a general planner in the market. To offer solutions from a single source, the architecture division was established four years ago. I myself became one of the new managing directors in 2023 as part of a restructuring when the individual locations became economic units.
Wirtschaftsforum: As a general planner offering solutions from a single source, is this an important characteristic of the portfolio?
Steffen Gaida: Yes. In technical building equipment, we offer individual solutions for all areas from electrical engineering to ventilation technology, plumbing, heating technology, building automation and telecommunication engineering to fire protection and security technology, wastewater disposal, and freshwater supply. We are also very well positioned in architecture; for special projects, such as kitchen designs, we collaborate with external partners.
Wirtschaftsforum: Rauschenberg works 95% for public clients; private customers play only a minor role. What do customers appreciate about working together?
Steffen Gaida: We pursue a different project policy than most competitors with regards to the processing of service phases. This means that we do a lot more in the first performance phases. Cost and schedule reliability are top priorities for developers; with our approach, we create early planning security, which then also manifests in cost security.
Wirtschaftsforum: With this philosophy, rauschenberg has made a name for itself throughout Germany. Which reference objects particularly well reflect the competencies?
Steffen Gaida: The ZMMK, a medical research center in Cologne with S1 laboratories, was technically very challenging. The completion is in its final stages. Special structures such as the fire station at Teveren airfield or the logistics center of Engelbert Strauss are exemplary for our holistic approach. For Vodafone, we took over the construction-accompanying quality assurance for the campus in Düsseldorf.
Wirtschaftsforum: Sustainability is also an important issue in the construction industry. How does this claim manifest itself in rauschenberg's work?
Steffen Gaida: Having a green footprint is the goal for most clients. Wooden constructions are therefore in trend, as are hybrid constructions with a combination of wood and steel. As far as power generation is concerned, photovoltaic systems with storage have become standard; a key issue is also heat generation via geothermal energy. Currently, we are planning an elevator for a property that operates with energy recovery; this too is a special challenge on the path to greater sustainability and energy efficiency.
Wirtschaftsforum: With around 60 employees, rauschenberg is one of the major providers in the market. What company philosophy does the company represent after the steady growth of recent years?
Steffen Gaida: Despite the size, we are still a family company, for which the employees are clearly the focus. Sales and profits are not as important as forming reserves for bad times. We are aware that we are responsible not just for 60 employees, but that entire families are affected. Therefore, we offer not only good salaries but many benefits such as company pension plans, partial contribution to kindergarten fees, and a type of company health insurance. Because we want our employees to feel comfortable, we take care of them, have an open ear for problems and solve them in most cases. This familial character with a pronounced team spirit significantly shapes our culture.
Wirtschaftsforum: Looking into the future, are there any specific plans or visions?
Steffen Gaida: Specifically planned is the move to a new building, which is currently being converted. There are also considerations for founding a rauschenberg Academy to give young people realistic insights into our daily routine. Our grand vision is to make rauschenberg an indispensable brand.