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Works meeting of the Max Bögl Group 2024: With optimism, foresight and the right strategy through turbulent times
Sengenthal/Nuremberg, 02.02.2024
Despite global uncertainties and industry-specific challenges, the Max Bögl Group achieved one of its best business results last year, impressively demonstrating that it is one of the largest and most independent players in the German construction industry, even in turbulent times. The works meeting in the ARENA NÜRNBERGER VERSICHERUNG provided the perfect setting for the works council to honor the successes of the past year together with the shareholders and the Management Board and to take an optimistic look into the future. The company remains true to its policy of innovation, sustainability and employee development in order to successfully master future challenges.
Appreciation of each individual - a strong foundation
In her speech, Karin Hammerl-Ranftl placed particular emphasis on recognizing each employee not only as part of the professional fabric, but also as an individual with unique needs, talents and challenges. This perspective is fundamental to promoting an inclusive, supportive and appreciative culture that strengthens and advances each employee in their personal and professional development. She emphasized that it is essential to create a working environment in which everyone feels respected and valued, which in turn forms the basis for creativity, commitment and ultimately the success of the company.
Karin Hammerl-Ranftl also presented the work of the Works Council over the past year, which is characterized by consistently representing and protecting the interests of all employees. The role of the Works Council in promoting an open and fair dialog between the workforce and management deserves special mention. This exchange has helped to create a positive working atmosphere and increase the general well-being of employees. The Works Council initiated and supported numerous projects aimed at improving working conditions and was actively involved in occupational safety and health promotion issues. These measures have not only strengthened the sense of community, but have also created the basis for continuous improvement of the working environment.
Employees, shareholders, Management Board members, prominent guest speakers from politics and trade unions as well as the works councils gathered in Nuremberg at the invitation of the Max Bögl works council for the annual works meeting. Karin Hammerl-Ranftl, Chairwoman of the General Works Council, hosted the event and, together with the shareholders and representatives of the Management Board, drew a positive balance of the past financial year. Special thanks were given to all employees for their dedication and commitment in all business areas, without which this result would not have been possible in the face of increasingly demanding tasks.
Karin Hammerl-Ranftl opened the event with an emotional moment by remembering all deceased employees, with a special focus on Michael Meyer, a long-standing and valued member of the Works Council. Deeply moved, she read out his farewell letter addressed to the entire workforce, which showed how strongly the Bögler DNA was rooted in Michael Meyer and the joy with which he championed the interests of the employees and the success of the company throughout his years as a member of the Works Council - always in fair dealings with the management. This act of remembrance impressively underlined the cohesion and mutual appreciation that characterize the group of companies.
Consistent support for all trainees
Pia Bruckmeier, Chairwoman of the youth and trainee representatives, also praised the fair treatment within the company and thanked the management, works council and training management for their trusting cooperation, support and backing. She presented the successful initiatives for the integration and promotion of the 350 trainees and students at Max Bögl - from the career day to the trainee meeting and various trainee projects. According to Pia Bruckmeier, these measures are essential to ensure the future viability of the group of companies and to inspire young talent for the construction industry.
Setting the strategic course for continuous growth
In his speech, shareholder and Supervisory Board member Max Bögl addressed the current economic challenges affecting both the construction industry in general and the company in particular. Increased energy costs and raw material prices, material shortages, inflation and a shortage of skilled workers would not make it easy for the Group to successfully complete challenging projects in Infrastructure, wind power and energy lines. Nevertheless, he was optimistic about future prospects and emphasized the confidence of international clients and the public sector in the Group's capabilities and potential. Max Bögl emphasized the effectiveness of efficient, product-oriented industrial production and pointed out that the company's internal Bau+X strategy has already achieved significant success. At the same time, he made it clear that constant efforts to achieve even higher standards - particularly in occupational safety - were crucial in order to consolidate the company's position as a pioneer in innovation. position as a pioneer in terms of innovation. He also emphasized the importance of the workforce as the most important building block of the company's success and stressed the need to continuously strengthen the team with new talent in order to ensure the growth and innovative strength of the family business.
A year characterized by strength and flexibility
At the presentation of the annual report, CEO Stefan Bögl expressed his satisfaction with the development of the company's figures. "Thanks to the extraordinary commitment of our employees, we were not only able to consolidate our position in the industry, but also increase our turnover to around 2.68 billion euros," explained Stefan Bögl in his speech. He emphasized the importance of the corporate strategy Bau + X and the focus on the core business. The Max Bögl Group has focused on new market opportunities, such as in Infrastructure on energy lines and in Building Construction on chip and battery factories and data centers. With incoming orders of 2.46 billion euros and an order backlog of over 3 billion euros, the continued confidence of customers in the Max Bögl Group is clear. According to Stefan Bögl, this success in 2023 is a clear sign of our strength and adaptability as well as a concentrated focus on our customers and their requirements. Investments in buildings, energy supply, machinery, construction equipment and digitalization amounted to 84 million euros in 2023, with a planned investment sum of 100 million euros for 2024. In addition, the company expanded its workforce to 6,349 employees, an increase of 166 people compared to the previous year. The number of trainees was increased to 350. "I would particularly like to highlight our 'Bögler recruit Bögler' initiative, which has contributed significantly to our growth and success. I wish us all continued success and, above all, safety in the workplace," Stefan Bögl concluded his speech.
Success through stability and a broad range of services
In his speech, shareholder Johann Bögl also paid tribute to the performance of the employees and the impressive development of the company over the past year. Despite the ongoing turbulence worldwide, the company managed to generate the highest turnover in its 94-year history. "There is almost no competitor with such a broad and stable base as Max Bögl, and we are rightly proud of the fact that we have achieved this success together," said Johann Bögl. He particularly emphasized the company's broad-based service portfolio, which has enabled it to be a leader in megatrends such as the energy transition and industrialization in construction thanks to series-produced products, innovative technologies and standardized processes. Johann Bögl also addressed the changes and challenges in the construction industry. In order to avoid the harshness of the business and the increasing price wars, Max Bögl continues to focus on demanding large-scale projects such as the construction of modern energy lines, large wind power towers with 200 m Hub heights or huge chip factories and data centers with high demands on building technology. However, working with international customers also means that the requirements for Quality control and occupational safety will increase and that more communication in English will be necessary. According to Johann Bögl, the support and cooperation of our workforce is therefore crucial in order to successfully follow this new path in the long term.
Counteracting migration to other sectors
Karl Bauer, Regional Director Bavaria of the Construction, Agriculture and Environment Trade Union, emphasized the indispensable importance of fair working conditions and fair collective agreements in the construction industry. The construction industry is by no means as bad as it is currently portrayed using the example of residential construction. Especially in times of a shortage of skilled workers, it is important to raise the profile of the construction professions and keep the industry attractive for young talent by offering higher wages. In the run-up to the wage negotiations, which begin in February, IG Bau is therefore demanding a wage increase of 500 euros for all construction workers, including apprentices. According to Karl Bauer, the inflation rate has risen sharply since the last wage agreement in 2021, which is why employees should have significantly more money in their accounts at the end of the month. He spoke with appreciation about the Max Bögl Group as an exemplary employer that shapes the industry and appealed to the company to use its leading role in the upcoming collective bargaining negotiations to raise standards for everyone.
Digital responsibility - a balancing act
In a captivating presentation, guest speaker Maximilian Knack addressed the profound impact of social media on our lives. The former next brand ambassador of Germany's Volksbanken Raiffeisenbanken and founder of the start-up SMILE has made it his mission to educate people about the sophisticated algorithms of apps and how to deal with social media in a healthy way. With his commitment, he is declaring war on the social media craze without raising a finger. Many people are unaware that the countless posts on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and the like are controlled so that users spend as much time as possible on the relevant app. Using the example of a daily screen time of two hours, Maximilian Knack calculated to everyone's astonishment that around 2190 days and therefore six years of life are wasted on smartphones. Based on this simple calculation, he emphasized the importance of maintaining a healthy balance in the digital age in order to protect mental health and productivity and maintain valuable human relationships. His solution: deactivate notifications on your smartphone, unfollow all influencers who are not good for you and do a digital detox, i.e. go without in order to find your way back to yourself.
Max Bögl - Bavaria's calling card for modern construction
Albert Füracker, Bavaria's Minister of State for Finance and Home Affairs, praised the Max Bögl Group for its innovative commitment, which significantly enriches the Bavarian and German economy. He emphasized the essential role of the internationally active company as an important economic player and promised his full support for future projects. District Administrator Willibald Gailler, Neumarkt's Lord Mayor Markus Ochsenkühn and Sengenthal's Mayor Werner Brandenburger were impressed by the local contributions of the group of companies and its highly motivated employees, who make a decisive contribution to the development and prosperity of the region. Their words underlined the central importance of the company's activities for the common good.
The 2024 works meeting - a living commitment
The 2024 Works Assembly was a vivid symbol of the Max Bögl Group's commitment to its employees, society and the environment. It sent out a powerful signal: The company is determined to further expand and consolidate its leading position through continuous innovation, sustainable action and social commitment.
Picture credits: Max Bögl Group / Laura Gloßner