Solidly Strong: Success Between Gravel and Climate

Interview with Jörg-Peter Kölling, Managing Director of WRM-REESE Unternehmensgruppe

In the gravel and sand pits of the WRM-REESE Unternehmensgruppe, work is carried out with the latest technology – responsibly, efficiently, and in harmony with nature

Whether skyscraper, bridge, or road – nothing can be done in the construction industry without sand, gravel, and grit. These natural resources form the basis of almost all construction projects and are thus a quiet, but indispensable engine of the economy. The WRM-REESE Unternehmensgruppe from Rinteln has stood for reliable raw material extraction and sustainable economic activity in Lower Saxony for more than seven decades.

Wirtschaftsforum: Mr. Kölling, you have been the Managing Director of the WRM-REESE corporate group since 2015. What do you find particularly appealing about this task?

Jörg-Peter Kölling: I have been working in the raw materials industry for 25 years now. What fascinates me about our work is that we have to handle nature and its resources responsibly. This long-term perspective, combined with ecological responsibility, makes the task both exciting and challenging at the same time.

Wirtschaftsforum: The company has developed significantly over the past decades. What were the crucial steps?

Jörg-Peter Kölling: Over the past 25 years, we have continuously expanded. Today, our group includes eleven gravel and sand plants, two quarries, two soil landfills, and a port handling facility in Haren on the Ems. Our own logistics department with around 50 vehicles ensures efficient delivery to our customers. This makes us one of the leading raw material companies in Northern Germany.

Wirtschaftsforum: Which markets do you serve?

Jörg-Peter Kölling, Managing Director of WRM-REESE Corporate Group

Jörg-Peter Kölling: Our target groups are found throughout the construction industry – from architects to precast and pipe works, to asphalt mixing plants and road and civil engineering. We supply within a radius of about 100 km around our locations and consciously see ourselves as a strong partner of the regional economy.

Wirtschaftsforum: Sustainability is a major concern for your company. How do you implement this in concrete terms?

WRM-REESE Corporate Group Species Conservation House — In the Species Conservation House, rare animal species find new habitats

WRM-REESE Corporate Group Technology — Always up to date with the latest technology – the WRM-REESE fleet

Jörg-Peter Kölling: Sustainability means much more to us than just energy efficiency. We certify our raw material operations according to the international standard CSC (Concrete Sustainability Council). This allows us to transparently present and have externally reviewed our ecological, social, and economic performance. Moreover, we have set up a species protection house — a former residential house that we have converted into a refuge for protected species such as eagle owls, bats, or dormice. Our renovated railway line between Emmerthal and Bodenwerder is also a sustainability project: By shifting transport from road to rail, we save about 18,000 truck trips and approximately 3,500 t of CO2 annually.

Wirtschaftsforum: Your fleet is technically up-to-date.

Jörg-Peter Kölling: Correct. We renew our fleet every three years to always employ the most modern and low-emission technology. In June, we put 31 new trucks into operation. Every new generation reduces fuel consumption by 2 to 3 liters per 100 km - with around 15,000 to 16,000 kilometers driven daily, this is a significant contribution to resource conservation.

WRM-REESE Corporate Group Resource Extraction — Sustainable resource extraction in action: The natural aggregate from the WRM-REESE pits forms the basis for numerous construction projects in the region

WRM-REESE Group Raw Material Extraction — From a bird's eye view, the scale of raw material extraction becomes visible: A modern gravel and sand pit of the WRM-REESE Group

WRM-REESE Group Reactivated Railway Line — With the reactivated railway line, WRM-REESE sets a strong signal for sustainable logistics and regional

Wirtschaftsforum: What goals have you set for the coming years?

Jörg-Peter Kölling: We are working on an energy management system to further reduce our consumption. In addition, we are continuing to develop our washing processes – a pilot plant is already operating in a factory in Saxony-Anhalt, which should in future operate without the addition of extra water.
In the long term, our goal is to secure raw material supply for the next 15 to 20 years. We see our task not only in promoting raw materials but also in taking responsibility for the region and future generations.

Wirtschaftsforum: What makes the WRM-REESE Unternehmensgruppe special for you?
Jörg-Peter Kölling: Our strength lies in our approach: we act responsibly, sustainably, and customer-focused. We conduct a conscious, ecologically accompanied extraction. We see ourselves as a reliable partner that works with quality, reliability, and respect towards people and nature. For me, this is the basis of our success – yesterday, today, and tomorrow.