100th Anniversary of Zech Group

Since 14th February 2009 Zech Group can look back on 100 years of company history. Nevertheless the Group, which is internationally active and is highly diversified, is still at heart a family business.

Since 14th February 2009 Zech Group can look back on 100 years of company history. Nevertheless the Group, which is internationally active and is highly diversified, is still at heart a family business. What began as a building company with a handful of workers is meanwhile engaged in the fields of Construction, Real Estate, Hotel, Environment/Technology and Industry & International Holdings.

Lots of changes, but the values remain the same
In the course of three generations there have been many changes and further developments. What has remained unchanged, however, is the motivation to create value for the customers. "We are characterized by healthy growth, increasing internationalization and the willingness to pursue paths that are new and unconventional,“ said shareholder Kurt Zech, describing Zech Group. "Right from the start, our company has stood for personal responsibility“.

From a workshop to a corporate group
The foundation stone for the Group was laid in February 1909 with a building company set up near to Breslau by Gustav Zech. After the chaos of second world war, the family moved to Bremen hoping to make a fresh start. Together with Kurt Zech (senior), one of his six children, Gustav Zech revived his building company and was therefore able to participate in the reconstruction of Bremen. In 1978 Kurt Zech finally took over the business from his father.

Since then the Group has continuously extended its fields of business. "We have meanwhile developed from a small building company to Zech Group, which employs about 3,000 people. The Group is a strategic management holding company incorporating six business units, each with its own center of competence", said Kurt Zech.

Six business units offering a wide variety of services
Construction and Real Estate. In the field of construction Zech Bau Holding, with its associated companies such as Zechbau or Kamü, is primarily involved in high-rise construction and special buildings. With its subsidiaries throughout the federal republic, Zech Bau Holding numbers among the top four German family-run businesses in the building sector. The business also embraces large prefabricated-concrete works as well as building-technology planners and outfitters. Deutsche Immobilen Holding, together with its subsidiaries, is active in the real-estate sector. The range of services provided include project development, management and sale of real estate, not to forget the placement of investment products. The Zech Group company "die developer“, for example, has been charged with realization of the project "Kö-Bogen“ in Düsseldorf, which is at the focus of nationwide attention. Last week the city council gave the final go-ahead. The property, in a top location at the centre of the state capital, will be constructed to plans drawn up by the New York architect Daniel Libeskind. The overall building investment has a value of some 300 million euros.

Hotels and Environment/Technology. In the hotel sector Zech Group has two hotel-operating companies which together run nine hotel establishments in the federal republic. One of these buildings is the 147 metre high ATLANTIC Hotel SAIL City in Bremerhaven, situated directly on the embankment of the river Weser. As for the area of Environment/Technology, the companies of Zech Umwelt Holding operate internationally, relying on their expertise in the fields of soil purification, air purification and groundwater purification as well as on their specialist know-how in fire-resistant technology, insulation and chimney construction.

Industrial and International. The field of industrial holdings extends to many independently operating companies. The companies in the holdings portfolio are heterogeneous, typically small and medium-sized, and include lessors and systems suppliers for the furniture industry. And in the context of its international growth strategies Zech Group has long since extended its activities beyond Germany's national borders. In the field of construction and project development, for example, the Group is involved in joint ventures in Brazil, as well as in the Middle East.

With a long-term company strategy
"With our many different fields of activity we are well positioned,“ Zech believes. "And with the knowledge, know-how and commitment of our employees we are optimistic about the future. Even about the challenging months that lie ahead of us, as a result of the reprehensible behaviour on the financial and real-estate markets.“ In view of the current turbulence on the world markets, the business enterprise has decided to do without any opulent jubilee celebrations. Kurt Zech, summarizing: "Zech Group stands for a long-term business strategy, as opposed to short-term success." And has done for generations.