This year, 49 apprentices and dual-students have successfully completed their studies at SPITZKE and will now start working in various departments within the group. In addition to Human Resource Director Christian Krippahl, Training Manager Jörg Prohaszka and his deputy Jan Niklas Saurin took the opportunity to address the new colleagues and congratulate them with a few personal words. Moreover, the trainee spokeswoman Sara Wieninger took the chance to share stories from her own time as an apprentice in the first year it was possible to study in the new SPITZKE training center. After the certificates were awarded, and the apprentice Liliana Przekwas was recognized as the best apprentice of the year, the certificate presentation evening concluded with a get-together in a relaxed atmosphere.

We are looking forward to shaping SPITZKE and the railway industry together with all of our new colleagues. Let´s do it!

Der Beitrag Celebratory Certificate Presentation in Großbeeren erschien zuerst auf SPITZKE.

As part of SPITZKE’s Partner Day at InnoTrans 2022, we honored three of them for their trusting cooperation over the past years.

“It’s our aspiration to realize our projects to the complete satisfaction of our customers,” said Philipp Gentsch, Head of Purchasing at SPITZKE. “This can only be achieved together. Therefore, we are thrilled that we have been able to work with reliable partners for many years.”

The awards were for Mibau Germany GmbH, Zeppelin Rental GmbH as well as Wilhem Hoyer GmbH & Co. KG. Paulo Afonso, authorized representative for Mibau, accepted the SPITZKE Partner Award from Philipp Gentsch. Zeppelin Rental was represented by Christian Naujok, Head of Large Account Management. Steven Gross, Sales Area Manager for Energy – Service Mecklenburg, took the stage for Wilhelm Hoyer.

Der Beitrag SPITZKE Honors Partners at InnoTrans 2022 erschien zuerst auf SPITZKE.

Below, you can read the fourth short interview with Winfried Zuber (Managing Director of WSP Infrastructure Engineering GmbH).

Mr. Winfried Zuber, rail transportation is considered one of the key elements for sustainable, climate-friendly mobility. Wha

On Wednesday (Sept. 21^st, 2022 – 3:30 pm – SPITZKE stand – Hall 5.2 – Stand 320) at InnoTrans 2022, Jens Bergmann, Member of the Board of Directors for Infrastructure Planning and Projects and Member of the Board of Directors for Finance and Controlling at DB Netz AG, Dr. Ben Möbius, Managing Director of the VDB, Jan Grothe, CPO of DB AG, Mark Fisher, CTO of SPITZKE SE and Winfried Zuber, Managing Director of WSP Infrastructure Engineering GmbH held a discussion as part of a SPITZKE panel discussion. The topic was “Consistently rethinking about partnership-based, modern, efficient construction!” We asked the panel participants three questions in advance.

Below, you can read the fourth short interview with Winfried Zuber (Managing Director of WSP Infrastructure Engineering GmbH).

Mr. Zuber, rail transportation is considered one of the key elements for sustainable, climate-friendly mobility. What needs to change so that our rail system can fulfill this role well and how can we manage to get significantly more passenger and freight traffic on the tracks in the future?

In my opinion, the decisive factor here is the customer’s and/or passenger’s perspective. We have to increase acceptance here. This can be achieved by offering a sufficient number of attractive connections with a high level of reliability and punctuality, while still maintaining and appropriate level of cost-effectiveness. However, growing passenger numbers and an increasing volume of freight traffic also brings new challenges. DB’s network is already being operated at capacity and performance limits. A record number of parallel construction projects has also led to limitations and has affected passenger and freight customer satisfaction.

Consequently, it’s imperative that we press ahead with the expansion and modernization of the railway network. This involves the modernization of the overall system in order to enable maximum benefits in planning, construction and system implementation for regular operations. We also have to continue to push ahead with the comprehensive introductions of digital interlocking technology, the renewal of overhead structures and track systems, modernization and, last but not least, electrification. It is crucial to complete construction projects from planning to commissioning much faster than is currently happening.

From the planner’s perspective: What contribution can the railway industry make to achieve these goals?

We are already on the right track, but in the future we must continue to pursue further innovative approaches for project preparation, planning and realization which will enable faster and smoother implementation. Early involvement of the rail industry, holistic approaches and partnership cooperation between the client and the rail industry are the keys for success. Early involvement, even in the preliminary planning stage, can reduce the need to correct errors later on in the project. An as-built validation preceding design planning as well as documentation on digital platforms which enable efficient subsequent processing are indispensable. We must use the know-how, which is unquestionably available, from our system suppliers and railway construction companies and work with them to create the conditions for faster planning processes and approvals. Thereby, we’ll achieve a technical, construction-related and cost-optimal realization based on the most updated construction technology. An essential element for this is surely the interlinking of design and implementation planning.

To achieve this, we have to consistently adopt a holistic approach and cooperate in the spirit of a partnership. The focus must be on the common project goal, with all partners working toward its realization with their own respective tasks and roles, with clear responsibilities and a consistent target and cost-orientation. The foundation for this must be appropriate framework conditions and corresponding contractual distinctions.

On SPITZKE’s podium discussion, you’ll discuss the topic “Consistently rethinking about partnership-based, modern, efficient construction!” What aspects do you think will be addressed?

The most important factors, as already mentioned, are early involvement and partnership-like cooperation between all parties involved, as well as the pursuit of holistic approaches. In the area of planning, this means we must be able to rely on defined operational requirements as well as complete, updated, and, if necessary, on-site verification of inventory and planning fundamentals. Throughout the process, we have to rely on consistent digital data storage and common project platform. A more important factor is continuity, which we have to strive for in our planning from the very start. If we consider the involvement of the railway industry, then our goal should be the continuity of the project partners from the design planning throughout all phases of implementation, commissioning and documentation. This involves regular and cooperative discussions between clients, planners as well as the railway and construction industry. In addition, we have to create appropriate framework conditions which promote dialogue-oriented and partnership-based project implementation, clearly define tasks, roles and responsibilities. In summary, our goal must be for all project participants to strive to find solutions for the agreed-upon project goals in an consensual manner.

t needs to change so that our rail system can fulfill this role well and how can we manage to get significantly more passenger and freight traffic on the tracks in the future?

In my opinion, the decisive factor here is the customer’s and/or passenger’s perspective. We have to increase acceptance here. This can be achieved by offering a sufficient number of attractive connections with a high level of reliability and punctuality, while still maintaining and appropriate level of cost-effectiveness. However, growing passenger numbers and an increasing volume of freight traffic also brings new challenges. DB’s network is already being operated at capacity and performance limits. A record number of parallel construction projects has also led to limitations and has affected passenger and freight customer satisfaction.

Consequently, it’s imperative that we press ahead with the expansion and modernization of the railway network. This involves the modernization of the overall system in order to enable maximum benefits in planning, construction and system implementation for regular operations. We also have to continue to push ahead with the comprehensive introductions of digital interlocking technology, the renewal of overhead structures and track systems, modernization and, last but not least, electrification. It is crucial to complete construction projects from planning to commissioning much faster than is currently happening.

From the planner’s perspective: What contribution can the railway industry make to achieve these goals?

We are already on the right track, but in the future we must continue to pursue further innovative approaches for project preparation, planning and realization which will enable faster and smoother implementation. Early involvement of the rail industry, holistic approaches and partnership cooperation between the client and the rail industry are the keys for success. Early involvement, even in the preliminary planning stage, can reduce the need to correct errors later on in the project. An as-built validation preceding design planning as well as documentation on digital platforms which enable efficient subsequent processing are indispensable. We must use the know-how, which is unquestionably available, from our system suppliers and railway construction companies and work with them to create the conditions for faster planning processes and approvals. Thereby, we’ll achieve a technical, construction-related and cost-optimal realization based on the most updated construction technology. An essential element for this is surely the interlinking of design and implementation planning.

To achieve this, we have to consistently adopt a holistic approach and cooperate in the spirit of a partnership. The focus must be on the common project goal, with all partners working toward its realization with their own respective tasks and roles, with clear responsibilities and a consistent target and cost-orientation. The foundation for this must be appropriate framework conditions and corresponding contractual distinctions.

On SPITZKE’s podium discussion, you’ll discuss the topic “Consistently rethinking about partnership-based, modern, efficient construction!” What aspects do you think will be addressed?

The most important factors, as already mentioned, are early involvement and partnership-like cooperation between all parties involved, as well as the pursuit of holistic approaches. In the area of planning, this means we must be able to rely on defined operational requirements as well as complete, updated, and, if necessary, on-site verification of inventory and planning fundamentals. Throughout the process, we have to rely on consistent digital data storage and common project platform. A more important factor is continuity, which we have to strive for in our planning from the very start. If we consider the involvement of the railway industry, then our goal should be the continuity of the project partners from the design planning throughout all phases of implementation, commissioning and documentation. This involves regular and cooperative discussions between clients, planners as well as the railway and construction industry. In addition, we have to create appropriate framework conditions which promote dialogue-oriented and partnership-based project implementation, clearly define tasks, roles and responsibilities. In summary, our goal must be for all project participants to strive to find solutions for the agreed-upon project goals in an consensual manner.

Der Beitrag InnoTrans 2022: A conversation with Winfried Zuber from the WSP Infrastructure Engineering GmbH erschien zuerst auf SPITZKE.

Below you can read the third short interview with Dr. Ben Möbius (Managing Director of the Germany Railway Industry Association).

Dr. Ben Möbius, rail transportation is considered one of the key elements for sustainable, climate-friendly mobility. What needs to change so that our rail system can fulfill this role well and how can we manage to get significantly more passenger and freight traffic on the tracks in the future?

We believe that the rail simply has to offer the best intermodal comparison in order to convince people to get on and off the train. For rail 4.0 to become a success story, it needs to have more capacity, more attractiveness and, most importantly, significantly more speed. Digitalization brings capacity: More trains can run on the same route at closer intervals. Furthermore, digitization also increases the reliability and availability of rail. An example? Predictive maintenance. Intelligent components send an alarm before they break, failures can be avoided and train services can continue reliably and punctually. We’ll achieve more attractiveness through innovation. New, digital technologies and products are available – but they have to enter the market more quickly. The awarding of contracts is decisive here. If we focused public tenders even more on quality, sustainability, design and comfort, people would see the technological progress much faster in their everyday lives. Digitalization, innovation, modernization, expansion and new construction all need more speed on the railways. We need to start significantly faster, i.e., plan quickly and efficiently and make greater use of digital methods in order to build smarter. At the same time, the corresponding regulatory framework has to be optimized by the federal government. This way, we can work together to put the best mobility ever on track.

From the perspective of associations and politics: What contribution can the railway industry make to achieve these goals?

The rail industry is a climate industry. Rail transport already constitutes less than one percent of the total greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector. Furthermore, this potential can be increased even more through digitization and electrification. Electromobility has been a reality on the tracks for more than 140 years, and 90 percent of the German network is electric today. Where electrification by overhead lines hasn’t been realized or isn’t economical, alternative power concepts, e.g. “Made in Germany” can consistently decarbonize. The German railway industry is a global leader in the development of hydrogen, battery and hybrid solutions. Electrification gaps can therefore be bridged. Last but not least, the rail system is highly energy efficient. For instance, recuperating braking energy is very advanced. The share of energy recovered is seven percent in freight rail, ten to 15 percent in long-distance passenger rail, and 20 to 40 percent in local passenger rail depending on the route. Automation reduces the energy required by subways by almost one third, lightweight construction and intelligent adaptive components are extremely more energy efficient, and overhead lines utilize input energy almost one-to-one, more tracks mean more mobility with zero emissions and maximum energy efficiency.

On SPITZKE’s podium discussion, you’ll discuss the topic “Consistently rethinking about partnership-based, modern, efficient construction!” What aspects do you think will be addressed?

First and foremost, planning and implementation periods must become significantly faster. Overly complex procedures and duplicate checks must become more efficient. The Rail Acceleration Commission set up by the German government, in which the VDB takes part, will play a decisive role. Approval procedures must be seamlessly digitalized. Exceptions for planning approval have to be examined more frequently for time-critical rail projects. Even difficult questions, such as the relationship between climate protection and local species protection, need to be on the table as well. On site, public participation and fair, proportionate solutions have to succeed. The upstream economic feasibility studies of rail infrastructure projects must follow economic and climate policy criteria much more stringently in the future. After all, the network should be aligned with these goals. Moreover, digital planning methods, such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), have to be used much more in order to speed up the processes and reduce sources of errors. Successful applications in track construction indicate that BIM can be used to optimize construction methods, construction logistics and closure period concepts including parallel work already in the planning phase. We need an optimal combination of driving and construction. This also requires more tracks for passing and stabling tracks allowing for alternative routes and the efficient use of machinery and materials. Employee-friendly working conditions should obviously be considered, ruling out a one-sided focus on public holidays and night shifts.

Der Beitrag InnoTrans 2022: A conversation with Dr. Ben Möbius from VDB erschien zuerst auf SPITZKE.

Below you can read the first short interview with Jens Bergmann (Member of the Board of Directors for Infrastructure Planning and Projects and Member of the Board of Directors for Finance and Controlling at DB Netz AG).

Mr. Bergmann, rail transportation is considered one of the key elements for sustainable, climate-friendly mobility. What needs to change so that our rail system can fulfill this role well and how can we manage to get significantly more passenger and freight traffic on the tracks in the future?

Customers want reliability. For us, that means above all trouble-free, comfortable and punctual travel/freight transportation. In order for us to become more stable, we need to significantly improve the condition of the equipment immediately, thereby ensuring its fault-free availability. This also requires significant investment in the resilience and growth of the railway network. This is not always about the big projects – now it’s also a question of getting the network equipped quickly with smaller and medium-sized projects. This doesn’t just apply to steel and concrete. It also applies, in particular, to the people who operate and maintain the system. Of course, the change to digital control and safety technology also plays a major role in creating additional capacity. Because additional capacity by means of new construction and expansion often takes many years, we also need to discuss how existing structures can be used more optimally. Among other issues, this also requires modern timetabling systems.

From the customer’s perspective: What contribution can the railway industry make to achieve these goals?

For this growth, we need to increase capacities in planning, construction and development. However above all, we need innovations. Doing the same thing will not be enough to handle the ramp-up! This neither works in terms of available capacities nor in terms of time.

On SPITZKE’s podium discussion, you’ll discuss the topic “Consistently rethinking about partnership-based, modern, efficient construction!” What aspects do you think will be addressed?

For me, partnership-based construction means, in particular, transparency. Everyone participating recognizes project risks at an early stage in their area of expertise. Today, it pays to keep these risks to yourself. We need models where it pays to identify risks together and early on so we can find suitable countermeasures. Everyone has to have a common interest in completing on time and on budget. Today, this transparency is not rewarded enough. Without incentives for this type of collaboration, we will not be able to take advantage of the benefits of innovation working methods, e.g. with BIM.

Der Beitrag InnoTrans 2022: A conversation with Jens Bergmann from DB Netz AG erschien zuerst auf SPITZKE.

In addition to representatives from the Potsdam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Hendrik Fischer, State Secretary in the Brandenburg Ministry of Economics, Labor and Energy, Member of the State Parliament Helmut Barthel (SPD) and the Mayor of Großbeeren, Tobias Borstel (SPD), were also present: “SPITZKE is one of the companies which have been offering apprenticeships for many years. The company recognized how important it is to recruit its own junior staff in a targeted manner early on. After all, today’s apprentices are tomorrow’s skilled workers,” said State Secretary Hendrik Fischer, echoing the words of the Chamber of Commerce President. “SPITZKE is of great importance for our city and region, not only as a training company, but also as a commercial enterprise which has developed extensively in recent years,” added Mayor Tobias Borstel when referring to the award for the company based in Großbeeren.

Wide range of career prospects, crisis-proof career with a great sense of purpose

SPITZKE places great importance on training at the company’s 18 locations throughout Germany and Europe. “Recruiting young people is one of the core issues in our industry,” explains Christian Krippahl, HR Director at SPITZKE. “In order to inspire young people to start a career in the railroad system, it’s important to give them first-hand experience of this working world. If they decide to do an apprenticeship at SPITZKE, they will have a range of career prospects and a crisis-proof career with a great sense of purpose. Our training program is based on both theory and practice, a state-of-the-art training center and committed trainers. The award from the Chamber of Industry and Commerce is, for us, also recognition of the excellent work that the colleagues involved in training at SPITZKE carry out every day.”

Currently, more than 250 young people are either doing an apprenticeship or completing a duel course of study at SPITZKE. Seventy of them will start their professional future at SPITZKE in the 2022/2023 training year.

The SPITZKE Group has not only been honored for its location in Großbeeren this year. The railway infrastructure company’s production subsidiary, SPITZKE  FAHRWEGSYSTEME GmbH in Möllenhagen, Mecklenburg, also received an award as TOP apprenticeship company from the Neubrandenburg Chamber of Industry and Commerce once again.

With the “TOP Apprenticeship Company” award, the regional associations of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce honor companies which make a special contribution to the training of young people in industry professions in their respective regions, thereby making a major contribution to securing skilled labor.

Der Beitrag SPITZKE SE is once again awarded as a TOP apprenticeship company erschien zuerst auf SPITZKE.

InnoTrans is the meeting point for all players in the railway system. Therefore, we are looking forward to inviting you to join us for a discussion this year and contribute to the further development of the railway system with various impulses – following our motto “design in networked dimensions”.

We’ve been preparing diligently for the largest international trade fair for railway and transport technology for months. And, it was worth it. The SPITZKE exhibition program for InnoTrans 2022 is more than impressive. For instance, we are expecting guests, lecturers and speakers including VDB Managing Director Dr. Ben Möbius, Jens Bergmann, Board member of Infrastructure Planning and Projects at DB Netz AG, Jan Grothe, CPO of DB AG, Dirk Flege, Manager of the Pro-Rail Alliance, as well as Winfried Zuber, Managing Director of WSP Infrastructure Engineering GmbH, and Prof. Marcel Fratzscher, Head of the German Institute for Economic Research.

You can look forward to spending four exciting days with us at InnoTrans 2022!

Der Beitrag InnoTrans 2022: We’re there! erschien zuerst auf SPITZKE.

SPITZKE’s student competition is aimed at students majoring in civil, industrial or mechanical engineering or mechatronics. This year, the task involves creating a concept for the implementation of BIM projects (BIM = Building Information Modeling) in the field of railway infrastructure at SPITZKE SE using the example of a track extension at the company’s headquarters GVZ Berlin Sud in Großbeeren.

The student competition is an important element for SPITZKE in supporting young talent within the railway system. “In order to be able to continue to promote sustainable mobility in Germany and Europe in the future, it is important that we already have an eye on the skilled workers of tomorrow.” Explains HR Director Christian Krippahl. “Due to this, everyone at SPITZKE is committed to the future of young people on a broader level – with the SPITZKE student competition as well as with our university partnerships, dual courses of study and our extensive apprenticeship program.

You can find more information on the topic here.

Der Beitrag SPITZKE’s student competition moves to the next round erschien zuerst auf SPITZKE.

The program for SPITZKE’s 4^th Apprentice Day will therefore include numerous career-path stations with practical exercises, inspections of track construction machinery, checking application documents, rides with the company’s own locomotive simulator and much more.

SPITZKE invests a lot of energy in the training of its junior staff and has had an increasing number of apprenticeships with a high hiring rate for years. In 2021 alone, 226 apprentices and bachelor students learned everything they need to get off to a good career start at SPITZKE.

Der Beitrag Apprentice Day 2022 erschien zuerst auf SPITZKE.

“It was a great pleasure for me to meet with our apprentices today, all of whom successfully completed their apprenticeship last year,” said Waldemar Münich summarizing the day. “They are a part of our future. We can only react properly to the population pyramid if we get young people into our company. In order to continue SPITZKE’s success, it is very important that we rationally integrate our young people, that they get to know their boss and our philosophy, and that they hear what path we all want to take together.”

To the video: Apprentices have a discussion with CEO Waldemar Münich

For the seven now former apprentices, it was especially exciting to hear first-hand how SPITZKE came into existence and grew into the company it is today. How 30 employees at the beginning have now become a workforce of approx. 2,200 people, all of whom have found their professional home here. The apprentices, who each distinguished themselves in very different ways, represent the many young people who approach their apprenticeships with great dedication.

SPITZKE invests a lot in educating its own junior staff, achieving a new record of 226 young people who are developing for their future at SPITZKE in all courses of studies and apprentice years. “For us, it’s important to recognize our apprentice’s good performance with these types of events and to show them that they are an essential part of the future of our company,” said HR Director Christian Krippahl, explaining the background of “Apprentices Meet the CEO”.

Der Beitrag Apprentices have a discussion with CEO Waldemar Münich erschien zuerst auf SPITZKE.