Following the cancellation of the training series in 2021 and 2022 due to the pandemic, there was a significant need for training among plant operators, drivers, and technicians at the mixing plants and precast facilities. According to standards, personnel involved in concrete production must undergo regular training. As part of the semi-annual regulatory inspections conducted by external auditors, training records are reviewed at regular intervals. Our cement customers were therefore keen to quickly address the training gaps that had developed among their employees and to document their participation for the auditor.

At the SCHWENK cement sites in Mergelstetten, Allmendingen, and Karlstadt, as well as at the Construction Training Center in Holleben, approximately 40 to 55 people attended each of eight events held in February and March 2023 to receive training on current topics related to cement and concrete. Registration for the event by invited customers was automated via a QR code, and for the first time this year, the distribution of training materials and certificates of participation was also handled automatically through the SCHWENK website.

In addition to employees from SCHWENK Construction Consulting and Logistics, guest speakers from ZERTplus Inspection Services were invited to speak on the topic of “fresh concrete testing.”

This provided the training participants with a varied program covering the following topics:

• Latest Developments at SCHWENK
• Clinker-efficient cements: Balancing availability and performance
• New Concrete Standard DIN 1045 and Concrete Construction Quality Classes (BBQ)
• Concrete Construction in Extreme Temperatures
• Information on Logistics at SCHWENK
• Fresh concrete and fresh concrete testing from a construction site perspective

The organizers and speakers were delighted by the interested participants, the technical discussions, and the lively conversations during the breaks.

Werner Rothenbacher, the moderator and head of SCHWENK Construction Consulting, emphasized on several occasions that the climate targets set by policymakers can only be achieved if customers, concrete mixers, and engineers work together with the cement and concrete industry to support the introduction of clinker-efficient cements in a positive and cooperative manner.

We look forward to seeing you again in 2024 with more interesting topics!

The SCHWENK Construction Consulting Team