A Look Behind the Facade
Interview with Matthias Schur, Managing Director of Siegfried Schur Baubetrieb GmbH
As in many parts of Germany, the construction industry in Saxony is facing significant challenges. It was long a driver of the economy, but now it is being slowed down by high interest rates, rising material and energy costs. Siegfried Schur Baubetrieb GmbH from Boxberg also feels the more difficult conditions. The family business, which has made a name for itself primarily through facade renovations, still sees opportunities in the market: for example, with self-sufficient homes.
For 25 years, Fa. Schur has been a major player in the Saxon construction industry. What began modestly after the reunification with building protection and renovation measures, steadily evolved. "My parents founded the company in 1990," explains Managing Director Matthias Schur. "They started with horizontal and vertical sealings for the industry and then gradually expanded the portfolio."
The second generation of the family also demonstrated a keen sense of the market. When Thomas and Matthias Schur took over the business in 2003, they first integrated external thermal insulation composite systems into the offer - today these are the main revenue drivers -, later also including plastering and turnkey construction, an important milestone in the Schur history. "With the external thermal insulation composite systems, we are market leaders in eastern Saxony," says Matthias Schur. "As far as technical features are concerned, we also hold a leading position in turnkey construction."
Border Crosser with Regional Anchorage
The growth dynamics can be seen in a few numbers. At the time of acquisition, Fa. Schur employed between 25 and 30 employees, today there are 120; the majority are engaged in facade renovation. The shortage of skilled workers has so far not been a problem for the company. "Our location on the border with Poland is a great advantage," says Matthias Schur.
"Half of our employees are well-educated Poles. Training places in the crafts are also more in demand again because many have realized that the wage level has risen and the crafts offer secure jobs. It's nice to see that young people are so qualified and motivated; many colleagues confirm this. Therefore, staff shortages are not a problem for us, but we are also very active in this respect, visiting schools and offering internships, for example."
Change as Opportunity
For the company, the shortage of skilled workers is not the problem, rather it is the economy. While the construction sector has relatively weathered the Corona crisis unscathed, CO2 tax, tolls, energy prices, and excessive wage levies are dampening the mood in the house. 'The political framework conditions must change,' Matthias Schur is convinced. 'Above all, the partisan wrangling must stop so that long-term results can be achieved.' For 2025 Matthias Schur expects stagnation; in 2026, the economy might pick up again. 'At the moment, we are happy if we can maintain the status quo,' says Matthias Schur. 'Positive signals are coming from the area of autarky houses, which we are one of the first companies to offer and which are attracting great interest.'
Innovative Technology for Greater Sustainability
With autonomous houses, Fa. Schur is setting pioneering trends. In June 2024, the foundation stone for the first project with twelve residential units was laid in Niesky, Saxony – a exemplary project for climate-friendly construction and living, and a worthwhile investment in the future. "Instead of a water-based heating system, we are focusing on photovoltaics, storage, and infrared heating panels," explains Matthias Schur. "The great advantage is that a flat-rate rent with an energy flat rate can be offered in a highly energy-autonomous house, making climate-friendly living affordable." Fa. Schur also demonstrates a spirit of innovation in other respects. Together with the partner company M3DUSA from Liechtenstein, the construction company is working on a project around the possibilities of 3D printing – and has already made significant progress, according to Matthias Schur.
At the center is a cutting-edge printhead technology that takes 3D building printing to a new level. 'We are technologically ahead in many areas,' emphasizes Matthias Schur. 'This applies to the self-sufficient house just as much as to the 3D printing, which we want to establish even more strongly in the market in the future, and to digitalization in general. Digital processes such as digital invoicing and time recording have become standard. Especially for young people, this affinity for technology is interesting.'
Staying True to Ourselves and Continuing to Grow
Matthias Schur will continue to advance digitalization in the company. In doing so, the company will remain true to its core competency, facade renovation with composite solutions. "We are seeing an increasing demand for turnkey solutions from customers we know from the facade sector," says Matthias Schur. "These are architects, developers, investors, or housing cooperatives, many of whom have reduced staff. Additionally, fewer and fewer people want to take on responsibility and start their own businesses; consequently, the number of construction companies will decline. Against this backdrop, we expect further growth in the future. We will now invest to continue being at the pulse of the market. We are aware of the responsibility of a family-owned business and want to set it up solidly for the future in the spirit of our parents. To keep companies viable for the future, a reduction in bureaucracy would also be helpful."