Frank Piepers in an interview

Always maneuverable

Frank Piepers, Managing Director of the wvm Group Cologne, on the situation in the construction industry and how it has managed to successfully assert itself on the market for over 30 years.

Photo © Hartmut Nägele

Mr. Piepers, what do you see as the biggest challenges for the constructionchallenges for the construction industry?

On the one hand, there are the technical challenges posed by the legislative requirements with regard to climate protection. The bar was set very high very quickly and the Some subsidy programs have been cancelled at very short notice. On the other hand, banks are currently reluctant to grant loans and the still relatively high interest rates are a burden for both project developers and buyers. In addition, the long approval procedures make projects almost impossible to calculate. All of this creates planning uncertainty and drives up construction costs. This urgently needs to change so that construction remains economical and housing affordable.

How has the wvm Group managed to survive successfully on the market for over 30 years despite these unfavorable conditions?

These are a whole range of factors. As a medium-sized, owner-managed company, we are responsive and flexible. A key factor is our highly trained employees in all areas, from project management to construction. In addition, we have continuously optimized our processes over the years. The wvm group stands for high quality in planning and construction, which we guarantee through trusting cooperation with our subcontractors, among other things. We have been working with 83 percent of our contractual partners for over ten years. Our in-depth knowledge of the market is also worth mentioning. In addition, we have always taken care to maintain a stable equity base in order to remain maneuverable. This is what makes us successful and also carries us through the current crisis.

With the LÜCK, you are currently implementing a project in Cologne that is attracting a great deal of attention, even beyond the region, and which relies on an innovative concept in terms of heat supply with the use of wastewater heat. To what extent is the topic of climate protection relevant for your company?

We are always open to new ideas. Not only when it comes to environmental protection. With the award-winning Cologne project Clarenbachplatz 1, in which a 160 meters of rail track was built over, we have set new standards in construction technology. As a matter of principle, we check all our projects for climate compatibility and try to achieve the highest energy standards. At LÜCK, we have succeeded for the first time in significantly reducing_{CO2 emissions}. Of course, this is a cost factor, but I expect that there will be more affordable standard solutions in the future. At the moment, however, many regulations are thwarting the climate protection goal. We need to get to a point where we build sensibly: simpler, with fewer regulations, but still as climate-friendly as possible.

The wvm group is involved in many social projects. What drives you?

Our annual donation budget is in the region of 500,000 euros. We support sports clubs, social initiatives, the preservation of traditions and many other projects that promote social interaction. As a Cologne-based company, we are committed to the city. We earn good money here and want others to share in it.