For the 2025 company-wide meeting, which was centered on solidarity, respect, and strategic foresight, the Works Council of the Max Bögl Group invited employees as well as representatives from politics and labor unions to the Arena Nürnberger Versicherung. The event brought together the Supervisory Board, the Executive Board, and the works councils to recognize the milestones and achievements of 2024 and to present groundbreaking strategies for the future. Karin Hammerl-Ranftl, Chair of the General Works Council, hosted the event on her special day and emphasized the central role of Bögl employees, whose dedication and innovative spirit have played a decisive role in the company’s success. Particular attention was paid to supporting Generation Z and strengthening the corporate culture through respectful interactions and innovative, sustainable solutions.

Community and Appreciation Take Center Stage

At the start, Karin Hammerl-Ranftl paid tribute to colleagues who had passed away in the past year and honored long-serving employees for their exceptional dedication. An emotional highlight was the farewell to Helmut Baierl, Vice Chair of the General Works Council, who retired after 42 years with the company. His tireless dedication and many years of service were honored with great respect and gratitude—a symbol of the strong sense of community within the corporate group. This sense of community was also evident in another moving example: Thanks to the active support of the Max Bögl Support Fund and the dedicated efforts of his colleagues, an employee suffering from a serious illness received valuable assistance during a difficult phase of his life. This act of solidarity underscores how deeply cohesion and mutual appreciation are rooted in the company’s culture.

Respect and Collaboration as the Keys to Success

In her speech, Karin Hammerl-Ranftl emphasized the central importance of respect and mutual appreciation for the success and corporate culture of the Max Bögl Group. She stressed that respect must not be merely a cliché, but rather a way of life—especially in challenging times, when issues such as cyberbullying within the company and the works council are becoming increasingly relevant. She impressively demonstrated how those affected can successfully combat reputational damage and made it clear that treating one another with respect is essential to preventing such incidents.

Looking back on the past year, she highlighted the works council’s numerous initiatives, which contributed significantly to optimizing work processes and improving working conditions. These included, among other things, the introduction of digital workforce scheduling, pilot phases for new shift models and bonus schemes, as well as a significant reduction in accident rates through targeted measures such as safety weeks and safety inspections. Karin Hammerl-Ranftl concluded her speech with an impassioned appeal: “Respect, dialogue, and commitment are the foundation of our shared success.” This message was echoed in the guest address by René Borbonus, who used practical examples to illustrate how respect can be actively practiced in everyday life.

Generation Z as Shapers of the Future

Amelie Brandl, the newly elected chair of the Youth and Apprentice Representative Council, began her speech with a clear statement against prejudices toward Generation Z. “The truth is that we can learn from one another—the young from the older and vice versa.” She emphasized how crucial it is to combine the skills of both generations in order to jointly master the challenges of a changing world of work.

With 401 apprentices and dual-track students, Max Bögl underscores its clear focus on promoting young talent. The Youth and Apprentice Representative Committee actively contributes to this effort, for example by participating in career days, apprentice meetings, and sustainability workshops. Through close collaboration with the works council, the training management team, and the internal departments, innovative projects have been implemented and the integration of young employees has been specifically promoted.

Charting a Course for Sustainable Development and Innovation

In his speech, shareholder and Supervisory Board member Max Bögl emphasized the importance of the “Construction + X” strategic direction, which positions the company for the future through a targeted focus on Infrastructure, wind energy, and Building Construction. Despite challenges such as rising energy costs, material shortages, and a shortage of skilled workers, he believes the group is well-equipped to meet these challenges thanks to its innovative strength and flexibility. He particularly highlighted digital transformation and the optimization of production capacities as key drivers of sustainable success and expressly acknowledged the commitment of the employees, whose dedication plays a decisive role in shaping this progress. At the same time, Max Bögl underscored the importance of adhering to high standards—particularly in occupational safety—to secure and further expand the company’s pioneering role in the long term.

A Year of Progress and New Benchmarks

CEO Stefan Bögl presented the 2024 financial results, which impressively confirm the group’s strong market position. With new orders totaling 3.5 billion euros and a record order backlog of over 4 billion euros, the company not only looks back on a successful year but also looks to the future with optimism. These figures are impressive proof of the company’s clear strategic focus and the extraordinary commitment of its employees.

The focus on growth areas such as power transmission lines, data centers, and wind turbines underscores the company’s innovative strength. Another highlight was the significant 16% reduction in accident rates, achieved through initiatives such as safety weeks and safety inspections, which were implemented in close collaboration with the works council. With investments totaling 135 million euros in infrastructure, operating equipment, and construction machinery—including the expansion of wind power production capacity at the new Emden plant and the modernization of the Sengenthal site—Max Bögl has laid the groundwork for future growth. “This year has once again shown that we can achieve great things even in economically and politically challenging times,” said Stefan Bögl.

On the Path to Success with Stability and Foresight

Shareholder and Supervisory Board member Johann Bögl opened his speech with a personal thank-you to the staff: “2024 presented us with numerous challenges, but thanks to your dedication and commitment, it turned out to be a successful year.” The focus on a broad range of services and the strategic alignment with megatrends such as the energy transition and industrialization in the construction sector give cause for optimism. With the largest order backlog in the company’s 95-year history, the company is ideally positioned for the future.

Johann Bögl particularly highlighted the progress made in technically complex projects such as power transmission lines, converter stations, and wind tower production, which position the company as a driving force behind the energy transition. Innovations such as maxmodul and segmented bridges also strengthen the group’s competitiveness in the long term. Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of a stable social environment for the company’s success: “Democracy and the social market economy are the foundation upon which companies like ours can exist and operate.” In closing, he called on the workforce to uphold the company’s values and strengthen team spirit: “With our diversity, our expertise, and our shared commitment, we will continue to master future challenges,” said Johann Bögl.

Working Together for a Fair and Safe Workplace

Heike Stoffels, deputy regional director of the Construction, Agriculture, and Environment Trade Union in Bavaria, emphasized at the company meeting how important fair working conditions, safe and healthy workplaces, and family-friendly structures are for the stability and attractiveness of the construction industry. The results of the 2024 collective bargaining negotiations send a clear message: In addition to a flat-rate increase of 230 euros and further percentage-based wage increases, wages in the east will be fully aligned with western levels by 2026. She noted that this progress was achieved through warning strikes for the first time since 2002, underscoring the dedicated efforts of all those involved.

In addition to the successes achieved, Heike Stoffels outlined the key challenges still facing IG BAU. The Collective Bargaining Compliance Act, which is intended to ensure the fair awarding of public contracts, and the development of age-flexible work models are among the most important issues. Furthermore, she praised the company-level collective bargaining agreement at Max Bögl as exemplary for the industry and encouraged the workforce to continue actively participating in collective bargaining negotiations in the future in order to jointly create sustainable and fair working conditions.

Respect as the Cornerstone of Successful Coexistence

“Without respect, the world descends into chaos.” René Borbonus opened his presentation with this powerful quote and captivated the audience from the very beginning. The specialist in rhetoric and communication impressively demonstrated how respect forms the foundation for harmonious and productive relationships—both in professional and personal contexts. Using vivid examples, he made it clear how everyday behavioral patterns—from thoughtless remarks to a lack of appreciation—can undermine respect.

René Borbonus humorously highlighted the power of words and gestures: small, thoughtful actions can make a big difference. “Respect is not just a matter of decency, but also of wisdom,” he explained. Companies that actively promote respect not only create a better work environment but also lay the foundation for sustainable success. He concluded his presentation to applause with a motivational appeal: “Those who are still green can grow. Those who already think they’re mature are already starting to rot.” A clear invitation to view respect as an ongoing process and to live it consciously.

A Reliable Partner for Innovation and Social Progress

The central role of the Max Bögl Group in regional and national development was the focus of this year’s company-wide meeting. Albert Füracker, Bavaria’s Minister of State for Finance and Home Affairs, and Carsten Träger, an SPD member of the Bundestag, highlighted the company’s importance as an economic engine, a driver of innovation, and a reliable partner for the city of Neumarkt and far beyond.

In his address, District Administrator Willibald Gailler praised the group’s exceptional social commitment and recognized the forward-looking construction projects that contribute significantly to strengthening the regional economy. Sengenthal Mayor Werner Brandenburger and Neumarkt Mayor Markus Ochsenkühn also underscored Max Bögl’s key role as a stable and innovative partner. They emphasized how crucial the company is to progress, quality of life, and social development in the communities surrounding its locations.

2025 Company-Wide Meeting—A Strong Signal for the Future

The 2025 Company Meeting impressively demonstrated the Max Bögl Group’s unwavering commitment to its employees, economic progress, and a sustainable future. It showcased the company’s clear commitment to innovation, social responsibility, and stability—even in times of global uncertainty. From groundbreaking projects and economic successes to recognition of the workforce’s achievements, the event sent a strong message of shared progress.

It became particularly clear just how important the collaboration between the works council, company management, the Bögl family, and the employees is to the company’s success. This close cooperation gives the company the strength to look ahead with confidence even in challenging times—driven by a clear vision and a shared goal.

Max Bögl 2025 Company-Wide Meeting – People from left: Max Bögl, Partner / René Borbonus, Trainer and Author on Professional Communication and Rhetoric / Heike Stoffels, Deputy Regional Director of the Construction, Agriculture, and Environment Trade Union in Bavaria / Michael Bögl, Board Member / Amelie Brandl, Chair of the Youth and Apprentice Representative Committee / Albert Füracker, Bavaria’s Minister of State for Finance and Home Affairs / Karin Hammerl-Ranftl, Chair of the General Works Council / Stefan Bögl, Chairman of the Board / Willibald Gailler, District Administrator of Neumarkt i.d.OPf. / Carsten Träger, SPD Member of the Bundestag / Johann Bögl, Partner / Markus Ochsenkühn, Mayor of the City of Neumarkt i.d.OPf. / Werner Brandenburger, Mayor of the Municipality of Sengenthal.

Photo credit: Max Bögl Group / Reinhard Mederer