"Diversität leben - eigentlich ist das für uns alle Alltag. Aber diese Diversität wollen und müssen wir auch im Arbeitsleben noch konsequenter abbilden. Davon profitieren wir, Diversität ist heute Grundvoraussetzung für Erfolg!" Das Statement kommt von Herzen. Sehen Sie selbst!
Dear Readers,
In the last newsletter of 2025, it makes sense to review the past few months. The overall situation could still be better: Germany has been in recession for three years now, and important questions for the country regarding infrastructure, energy supply, and security remain unanswered. What's more, Ukraine has been fighting for its defense for four years now. This has left its mark on our customers and, consequently, on some of our subsidiaries.
However, other parts of the RWTÜV Group, such as some areas of our insurance services subsidiary Van Ameyde, have been able to generate growth. CONSULECTRA and Enoplan, with their energy-related businesses, have also prospered. We are extremely pleased with these very positive performances in some areas. Our diverse portfolio is proving helpful and balancing, especially in times of crisis.
This is entirely in line with our motto, move AS ONE, which we announced at the beginning of the year. This strategy has given us direction in these challenging times. It has served as a framework for many of the initiatives implemented in recent months, most of which we have covered in detail in previous newsletters. Nevertheless, we would like to highlight some of them again, such as the three Young Professional Summits (YPS) with around 50 participants; a successful Profile Dynamics certification for the HR managers of our companies; and various informative AI workshops in the companies in Germany, including the derivation of concrete implementation measures. Last but not least, today you can also read about the training of 18 innovation managers, implemented in collaboration with TÜV Thüringen and isn – innovation service network, which was completed in December.
We would also like to highlight our fourth internal innovation competition, whose kick-off event was a resounding success with over 100 participants. Read on to find out which winners were chosen from 21 exciting submissions. All ideas are being reviewed for feasibility and marketability to ensure that none of our employees' creativity goes to waste.
We would like to thank you all for your excellent cooperation. Let us work together with confidence and motivation to turn future challenges into successes!
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a relaxing holiday season
yours sincerely, Thomas Biedermann and Dr. Fabian Fechner
In September, the RWTÜV Group once again challenged its employees. Under the motto “Smart Innovation for a safer tomorrow,” the fourth internal innovation competition was launched, with the theme of “Infrastructure and Safety.” The management had set the goal of finding ways in which the group could benefit directly or indirectly from government subsidies, such as special funds in Germany. The search was on for innovative solutions for the future that would bring about sustainable progress.
In order to convey a common understanding of the task at hand and to pave the way for joint solutions at an early stage, two very successful kick-off events were held with around 100 participants. A summary of these events, combined with the most important information on special funds in Germany, was made available on the intranet.
By December, 21 well-researched and carefully thought-out ideas had been submitted, some developed individually, others in groups, all competing for prizes of €2,000, €1,000, and €500.
In the first evaluation phase, the entire RWTÜV community voted in an open ballot for the submission by colleagues Ralf Weiermann and Marcel Helligrath from the group headquarters. Under the name “Fit for sustain,” they had submitted a proposal for offering sustainability consulting services. They were rewarded with a €200 Amazon voucher.
The jury, consisting of the managing directors of the RWTÜV Group, then made its decision in mid-December. Maximilian Driessen from IB Nordhorn had the best idea in the opinion of this committee, with a proposal to expand the portfolio of TGA consulting services relating to energy issues. Rik Amberger from Enoplan took second place with his submission on the topic of climate-resilient infrastructure. Jan-Ole Zülsdorf and Carsten Saldenholz from CONSULECTRA jointly developed a concept for a specialist forum on network planning and expansion consulting, securing third place.
"We congratulate our successful colleagues who are advancing our group with their ideas, innovative spirit, and commitment! Thank you very much for participating!“ summarized Thomas Biedermann. ”We are now supporting the teams in further developing and implementing their ideas – e.g., through workshops, business plan coaching, or pilot projects. A total implementation budget of up to €100,000 is available."
How to promote the creation of a creative environment, how to foster a climate in which small ideas can grow into successful concepts, and how to prevent potential from being wasted – these were the topics covered in the innovation manager training course, which 18 participants from various companies in the RWTÜV Group and TÜV Thüringen successfully completed after three intensive months. The lecturers also came from the RWTÜV Group: isn – innovation service network innovation expert Reinhard Willfort and his colleague Victoria Wallner.
Together, the group learned about key methods and tools of strategic innovation management, worked through the content, and applied it in a practical way. The focus was repeatedly on AI in the innovation process and how it can support and optimize preparation, development, and evaluation.
RWTÜV colleague Anika Corte participated from the group headquarters. She received her certificate in person at the end of December during the otherwise remote final round with the proud graduates. Thomas Biedermann, CEO of RWTÜV, and Volker Höhnisch, CEO of TÜV Thüringen, congratulated the participants and expressed their delight at the expanded network and the results achieved, which were presented online in four pitches. Volker Höhnisch assessed this pilot project: “The joint event involving employees from both corporate groups was a complete success and encourages us to launch further joint projects. Many thanks to everyone involved for their organization, implementation, and active participation!”
This year, the large Christmas tree in the foyer of the group headquarters was given a wonderful additional purpose as a silent mailbox. Wishes collected by Caritas from young people at a youth center in Essen were written on cards and hung on the tree. Each resident of the Kronprinzenstraße building was then able to choose one of these wishes and fulfill it. Shortly before Christmas, the RWTÜV team presented all of the gifts together.
Because giving gifts brings so much joy, RWTÜV colleagues also took part in radio station WDR 2‘s “Christmas miracle” campaign: From December 13 to 17, the “WDR 2 Glass House” stood next to Essen Cathedral on Burgplatz. Well-known presenters Sabine Heinrich, Steffi Neu, Jan Malte Andresen, and Thomas Bug hosted famous musical acts and many celebrity guests for a large Christmas fundraiser, which helped make miracles come true for those in need. Last year in Paderborn, over €12 million in donations were collected. This year, the RWTÜV team presented its own donation check for €1,872 – the founding year of the Rheinisch Westfälischer TÜV.
If you would like to make a donation but don't know where to send it, we could suggest the association Engineers Without Borders. Our colleague Anja-Kathrin Kampert from RWTÜV subsidiary MN Mörbitz|Nordhorn Ingenieure volunteers for this organization. This recognized non-profit, non-governmental development cooperation organization supports people where technical cooperation is necessary and possible, particularly through the construction of infrastructure – in the areas of water, electricity, and sanitation – at schools and in rural communities. In Germany, Engineers Without Borders runs technical language courses and STEM workshops for refugees and migrants to help them enter the job market. This year's holiday campaign theme is “Together for our climate,” making it a great fit for anyone who cares about the environment and sustainability.
The colleagues at cetecom advanced met at the Schmachtenbergshof restaurant in Essen to mark the end of the year. cetecom advanced Managing Director Andreas Ehre thanked his staff for their commitment, innovative spirit, and collegial solidarity, and wished everyone a relaxing holiday season and a Merry Christmas.
The Enoplan and Enometrik teams celebrated the successful conclusion of the year with a cheerful and atmospheric Christmas party at the CasaMia dance and event location on December 5. Around 120 employees enjoyed excellent entertainment and culinary delights.
At the group headquarters, on the other hand, everyone looks forward all year to the Christmas dinner at Landsberg Castle, which has become a beloved tradition. In a festive setting and with a few culinary highlights, colleagues got together to look back on the past year.
We would like to thank you all for your interest in the activities of the RWTÜV Group and all the campaigns under the motto move AS ONE!