News from the FABRI Group

Find out about the latest developments and activities of the FABRI Group. We will keep you up to date on new partnerships, cooperations, current projects and other news.

Insight

Cooperation in Poland

25.07.2023

FABRI signed a cooperation agreement with ELEM from Poland today, on 25.07.2023, in Warsaw, which includes and defines the personnel support of the FABRI Group from ELEM employees. ELEM is based in eastern Poland, in Bialystok, and is active in the field of electrical installations. The company was founded in 2011 by the two managing directors, Emil Busiewicz and Maciej Chmielewski, and currently employs around 80 people. Introductions and initial discussions took place back in December 2021. Since then, there have been various meetings in Poland and Germany, many personal discussions have taken place and the exchange of expertise has also begun. The strategic wish of both managing partners of ELEM is to be able to work and cooperate with a German, supra-regional craft group. On the one hand, they generate sustainable growth for their company and, on the other hand, they increase the professional quality and training of their employees through this international orientation. In the 4th quarter of 2022, the FABRI Group launched the first pilot project with ELEM. In cooperation with Lörcks GmbH, a major contract in the area of electrical installation was successfully completed in a Cologne school. Following this, further contracts have been started and at least 9 joint projects will be finalized by the end of 2023. The execution of the work was characterized by a very high standard of quality and the collaboration was very pleasant, almost collegial. “Based on this experience, we have decided to enter into a strategic cooperation with ELEM,” says Markus Zübert, CEO of FABRI. “We are thus offering all our companies the opportunity to significantly expand their capacities, to operate more flexibly and nationally, and we also want to proactively support our companies in recruiting employees.” As the central contact and coordinator for ELEM, Daniel Lörcks will be responsible as an operational link within the FABRI Group. We are delighted to welcome this company to the FABRI Group as part of a cooperation agreement. We are deeply convinced that not only the professional but also the human component provides a great basis for the future development of both companies.

Insight

First FABRI plant in Rhineland-Palatinate — Hilgers GmbH & Co KG

17.07.2023

With Hilgers GmbH & Co KG from Daun in the Vulkaneifel region, the FABRI Group is expanding to include an established and successful sanitary, heating and air-conditioning company from Rhineland-Palatinate. The purchase contract was notarized in Cologne on Monday, July 17, 2023. “We are pleased to announce the strengthening of environmentally oriented heating systems and complete bathrooms and warmly welcome Hilgers and its employees to the FABRI Group,” says Markus Zübert, CEO of FABRI, “With this acquisition, we have come a step closer to our medium-term orientation — FABRI wants to be represented in all federal states.” “With FABRI, I have found the perfect partner for the future of my business.” explains managing director Dieter Hilgers. “Together, we can set the course for a secure future for our employees and customers.” Dieter Hilgers will remain with the company as managing director. In the coming months, with the support of FABRI, he will look for a suitable successor and incorporate it into operational management. Daniel Lörcks, operational interface of the FABRI Group, is very confident: “The technical expertise of Hilgers and the geographical proximity to some of our companies also gives us the opportunity to carry out comprehensive projects with several FABRI companies.” Hilgers GmbH & Co KG dates back to 1869 and is a fourth-generation family business that specializes in air-conditioning energy concepts and wellness bathrooms. Customers are served nationwide within a radius of around 100 km from the company headquarters — they operate as far as Luxembourg. Together with the management, 18 motivated employees form a well-coordinated team. Great emphasis has always been placed on good education and training as well as an appreciative and team-oriented working environment.

Insight

Changes in the Supervisory Board of FABRI AG

12.06.2023

At the annual general meeting of FABRI AG on 12.06.2023, Jörg Schröder was proposed as a new member of the Supervisory Board and elected unanimously. The previous Chairman of the Supervisory Board Achim Weick left the FABRI Supervisory Board at his own behest. However, he will continue to support FABRI's development as Chairman of the Supervisory Board at the parent company Waag & Zübert Value AG. Since 2019, Jörg Schröder has been Chief Financial Officer of publicly traded adesso SE, a fast-growing IT service provider with over 8,500 employees at 62 locations. adesso's significant double-digit organic growth has been boosted by acquisitions in recent years. “When I was asked if I could imagine a supervisory board position at FABRI, I was immediately impressed,” says Jörg Schröder. “There are many similarities between adesso and FABRI: it is a “people's business”, corporate management is characterized by a high degree of decentralization, and acquisitions play an important role. For this reason, I was immediately able to identify with FABRI's business model. I am very much looking forward to contributing my expertise and accompanying the company in its further growth strategy.” The new Chairman of the Supervisory Board of FABRI AG, Dr. Gerson Link, affirms: “We are excited about the new impetus that Jörg Schröder will bring with his expertise and look forward to future cooperation. At the same time, we would like to sincerely thank Achim Weick for his work on the FABRI Supervisory Board. Achim has been Chairman of the Supervisory Board since its inception and is a key element in FABRI's growth from a “start-up” to a group with over 200 employees within two years. ”

Insight

FABRI group meeting in Würzburg: A resounding success

27.04. - 29.04.2023

At the end of April, the time had come: All managing directors of FABRI companies were invited to the annual FABRI group meeting in Würzburg. In a relaxed atmosphere and during professional exchange, everyone was able to get to know each other for the first time. An essential part of FABRI's culture is open and trusting exchange with one another. Every company has certain procedures that they have perfected for themselves. Within the group, entrepreneurs can share tips and find suggestions for their own business. In this way, each individual benefits from the Group's strengths. The start was at Franconian shopping — and quite classically for Würzburg — on the Main Bridge. “I was really looking forward to this day,” Markus Zübert, CEO of FABRI, began his welcome speech. “With currently six great companies, we have grown into a real group within two years — and one day FABRI will fill the entire Main Bridge.” The next day, the focus was on the mutual exchange of experiences. The managing directors reported on their companies, operational challenges and their solutions. Topics such as digitization, lack of skilled workers, etc. were also brought to the table and discussed in a complex way by Daniel Lörcks, who provides technical support to FABRI companies. Before it went on to the second culinary round, a guided tour of the city with Würzburg night watchman Schorsch was on the agenda. In this way, the capital of Franconia could be learned and loved in a relaxed and fun way. The general “goodbye” the next morning was followed by positive feedback from all corners. Even though it is possible to exchange ideas within the group at any time, a large group meeting provides many exciting and important impulses for every single entrepreneur. We are already looking forward to the next reunion in spring 2024.

Insight

Hit like lightning: Wimmer lightning rod construction part of FABRI

08.12.2022

With Blitzableiterbau Wimmer GmbH from Euskirchen in North Rhine-Westphalia, the FABRI Group has expanded to include a successful company specializing in lightning protection systems. “From the outset, contact and cooperation was characterized by openness and honesty,” says Thomas Waag, Chief Financial Officer of FABRI. “We are delighted to be able to attract such an established company with competent and motivated management to FABRI. We warmly welcome Blitzableiterbau Wimmer and its employees to the FABRI Group.” Founded in 1980, Blitzableiterbau Wimmer GmbH plans and installs second-generation lightning protection and grounding systems, primarily for commercial customers. In the Cologne area, the company has an excellent reputation and is one of the larger companies in this niche segment. The team, consisting of 25 dedicated and experienced employees, implements around 800 projects and a variety of long-term maintenance contracts every year. “I can't imagine a better partner for my company,” says managing director and former partner Jürgen Wimmer. “I was looking for just such a successor solution for my company and employees: independent and independent work and the security of a group structure. I am already looking forward to the lively exchange of experiences with each other.” In addition to Jürgen Wimmer, Dirk Pichler, a long-standing and experienced employee, was found a second managing director for plant management. As a result, the course for operational succession and thus the future of Blitzableiterbau Wimmer GmbH was set at an early stage.

Insight

New to FABRI: NiRa TGA from East Westphalia

09.11.2022

For 20 years NiRa TGA GmbH, based in Enger in East Westphalia, has been successfully offering a full range of services in regards to roof drainage. The specialized company has made a name for itself throughout Germany with its expertise, quality and reliability. In November 2022, NiRa decided to become part of FABRI. Thomas Waag, Chief Financial Officer of FABRI, is delighted: “With Maik Niemann and his team, we have been able to attract a great entrepreneur and a successful company to FABRI, which enriches the group nationwide. We are looking forward to the future together.” “From the very first moment, the wavelength with FABRI was just right,” says Maik Niemann, who will remain with the NiRa. “I see the FABRI Group as a future for our employees, as a future for our customers — and last but not least as a future for roof drainage, which is becoming increasingly important.” NiRa was founded by current managing director Maik Niemann in Enger in 2003, initially as a pure heating and sanitation company. This was soon followed by specialization in the area of roof drainage. Today, NiRa is known throughout Germany among general contractors, logistics and manufacturing companies and architects for having a solution for every challenge — whether it involves a new building or a renovation. The 25-person team competently and expertly implements the entire range of roof drainage systems — from planning to installation. In addition to conventional free mirror drainage, vacuum drainage, retention drainage and solutions for the rehabilitation of existing drainage systems are also offered. Emergency drainage is also an important planning approach to protect buildings. Especially against the backdrop of increasing precipitation intensity and more frequent heavy rain events, roof drainage will become increasingly important in the future. In addition, the NiRa systems function even in the event of a blackout — no pumps or electricity are required, but are set to the resulting negative pressure.