Insight into project management: Toni Fahrni in conversation

Stephan Dewald has been responsible for sales in Western Germany and Luxembourg for more than six years as a sales representative at Akustik & Raum. In this short interview, he explains where he sees the biggest challenges in his day-to-day work and what it takes for everyone involved to be completely satisfied with a project. Mr. Dewald, what are the biggest challenges in your day-to-day work as Head of Sales for Western Germany and Luxembourg? Stephan Dewald: In the sales force, I always have to deal with different external influences. My job is to translate our customers' requirements into the best possible solution using my own experience and all of Akustik & Raum's expertise. How do you achieve this? The basis for successful projects is to identify the respective needs. If we take a solution-orientated approach when we receive enquiries from planners and customers and all questions have been clarified, the path is clear for successful implementation. I am satisfied when our high-quality acoustic products can contribute to well-being in various areas of everyday life. Can you give an example of this? Our MAKUSTIK FeinMikro FM300µm elements impress with their exceptionally high perforation and have recently been used in the Cité de la Sécurité Sociale (CSS) in Luxembourg, among other places. The project involved the comprehensive new construction of various institutions, including Luxembourg's national health insurance fund. Thank you for giving us an insight into your day-to-day work at Akustik & Raum! Stay up to date and follow us on social media Are you interested in further insights into everyday life at Akustik und Raum or don't want to miss any news about our new building? Then follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Be part of the upcoming milestones of Akustik & Raum!

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Jonas von Arb has been Head of Business Services at Akustik & Raum since 1 May 2023. As part of the two-person administration team, he sees a lot of potential for reorganisation when the new building opens next year. ‘I'm looking forward to being part of something big,’ he says in the interview. Jonas von Arb, as Head of Business Services, you work at the interface between different departments at Akustik & Raum. How do you perceive the collaboration? Jonas von Arb: There is a good mutual understanding of each other's tasks, which makes for respectful and pleasant interaction. This in turn leads to good co-operation across all departments. Since April of this year, there have been two of us in Administration: Corinne Wiederkehr has been working for us as Head of Finance and Administration. When are you satisfied after a working day? I see the administration department as an internal and external service provider. I am therefore satisfied when the other person is satisfied. What are the biggest challenges in your day-to-day work? We are a small administration team with very short decision-making paths and can therefore act quickly, flexibly and in a customer-orientated manner. Nevertheless, we expect to optimise our processes with the move to the new building in Vordemwald and the associated introduction of a new ERP system. I see a lot of potential in the digitalisation of Akustik & Raum - so the coming months will certainly be an instructive and interesting time for us all. You mentioned the new building. What are you most looking forward to in this project? A new building always means redesigning different things. Being part of this unique story and being able to play an active role is very motivating. I'm delighted to be part of something big. Thank you for giving us an insight into your day-to-day work at Akustik & Raum! Stay up to date and follow us on social media Are you interested in further insights into everyday life at Akustik und Raum or don't want to miss any news about our new building? Then follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Be part of the upcoming milestones of Akustik & Raum!

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Akustik & Raum AG is expected to move into the modern new building in Vordemwald in autumn 2025. The company has high hopes for the improved conditions and the larger production area and is optimistic about the future. Since last autumn, the new Akustik & Raum AG building has been under construction in Vordemwald, just a few kilometres from the current site in Olten. The forward-looking new building became necessary because the production capacity in the Olten industrial estate had been reached. At the new site, the company has 5000 m2 of production space and an extended office wing at its disposal. As Managing Director Markus Bürgi confirms, the company is delighted with the progress made since the ground-breaking ceremony last autumn: ‘The construction work is on track and we are confident that production can start in the new hall in autumn 2025 as planned.’ The sustainable supporting structure is built in June Currently, 20 to 30 construction workers are making visible progress on the large construction site every day. Assembly of the supporting structure, which is one of the special features of the new building and is made entirely from sustainable timber, will begin in June. The contracts for operating equipment and machinery have also already been awarded. ‘The energy of our future location can already be felt in the empty hall and the employees are also really looking forward to the new building,’ says Markus Bürgi, summarising the current mood at Akustik & Raum AG. The good co-operation with Renggli AG also contributes to this. The company specialises in energy-efficient timber construction and was already involved in the planning of the new building. A new era in the company's history begins in autumn 2025 Ruedi Emmenegger, project manager for the new building and production manager at Akustik & Raum AG, is optimistic about the next milestones: ‘The hall will be ready for the assembly of our systems in March, followed by the finishing touches until the start of production in autumn. It's an exciting time for everyone involved and the anticipation of the move is growing with each passing day.’ Markus Bürgi also confirms this: ‘The new building will allow us to significantly improve our general conditions - also with regard to large orders from Switzerland and Europe.’ In combination with the energy measures that will be implemented with the new building - including a 3500 m2 photovoltaic system on the roof - Akustik & Raum AG will be entering a new era next autumn. Follow the construction progress live Thanks to the construction site webcam of our project partner Renggli AG, you can follow the construction progress of our new building live at any time. Here you can follow what is happening on the construction site.

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