Industrial sector shows unity and strength
The IWM had prepared an extremely interesting programme which did not ignore critical topics. It was moderated by Burk-hard Fröhlich, Chief Editor of the construction industry journal “Deutsche Bauzeitschrift” (DBZ).
Traditionally, the IWM welcomes representatives of related industries and trades and crafts associations to its annual congress. “We can only solve the thermal insulation issues by working together, and only if we take a joint initiative”, Dr. Hans-Joachim Riechers, Managing Director of the IWM, appealed to the gathered members and guests. He expressed the opinion that the campaign “Wärmedämmung mit Augenmaß” was a step in the right direction, and pointed to the good response achieved with the new “Ratgeber rund um die Außenwand”. Furthermore, the IWM was involved in the action “Wärme im Dialog” that had been jointly initiated by a group of associations.
The congress programme also included a number of industry-related presentations, including the controversial title “Lobbying in Brussels – David against Goliath?” by Antonio Caballero González, General Secretary of the European Calcium Silicate Unit Producers Association, ECSPA.
On the second day of the annual congress, the first point on the agenda was the amalgamation of the two national monitoring associations “Mortar” and “Ready-mixed Concrete” into a single organization, which worked smoothly. The subsequent general meeting remained highly interesting. “Together with our members, we have to set the course for a further year with many new activities”, Dr. Riechers told the participants.
The unavoidable formalities also had to be observed. The old committee having been in office for two years, a new one had to be elected. Peter Sarantis was again elected as Chairman. A Deputy Chairman was elected for each of the four sectors dry mortar, paste products, thermal insulation systems and factory-prepared green mortar.
