Curiosity never retires
Shortly before you retire, it is rather rare to get involved in a completely new topic. How did this come about?
Werner: After 34 successful years and a wide variety of assignments - from large construction sites such as the extension of Vienna's U1 underground line to the Alter Landgut to my comparatively small last project, the construction of a factory hall for ÖBB - I could certainly end my professional life in a calm manner and with proven working methods and hand over a well-managed construction site to my successor. If the digitalization experts in the corporate division hadn't entered my construction container one day and introduced me to digital concrete delivery.
What happened next?
Werner: Although I don't do much digital work in my private life, professionally I have of course kept up with digitalization step by step. I've always had the curiosity to want to know more and learn something. And this attitude never retires! So I got involved, tested the program, used it on everyday construction sites and made suggestions for improvement. And now I recommend the digital concrete call-off to every larger construction site with corresponding quantities of concrete.
In your opinion, what are the biggest advantages of the digital concrete call-off?
Werner: Clearly the recording and the simple operation. Everything is perfectly documented and can be called up at the touch of a button. You know immediately which delivery was placed where and when. The larger the construction site, the greater the time savings compared to the manually kept concreting diary. Both small and large construction sites benefit from good documentation.
How were your last few weeks away from the digital concrete call-off?
Werner: My main focus has been on training my successor well and helping him to make the right contacts. I also want to hand over my current construction site to him well managed and clean.
What would you like to pass on to your successor and younger colleagues in general?
Werner: Two things: firstly, curiosity and openness to innovations, for example digital solutions that improve work on the construction site. Secondly, personal contact, which is easily neglected despite all the advantages of digitalization. If a problem needs to be solved quickly, I still prefer to pick up the phone rather than type an email. It's clear that the digitalization of the construction industry is the future. But you always need a bit of banter on the construction site! And that only works in person.