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2025
"Warming up" with Ingmar Lundström
"Gütersloh läuft": Zimmermann donates one euro per participant
Gütersloh, June 2, 2025 - In one month, the 17th edition of "Gütersloh läuft" will start on July 2, 2025. Once again this year, organizer Sarah Dörmann and main sponsor David Zimmermann are inviting everyone to warm up together in the city park on Mondays. Once again, the organizing team has recruited Gütersloh's running legend Ingmar Lundström as a trainer. The training laps for relaxed preparation for the traditional event start at around 6.45 pm.
"With the training, we want to create anticipation for the company run," says David Zimmermann. The Zimmermann Group has been the main sponsor of the traditional running event in Gütersloh's Stadtpark since 2024. "Starting this year, we are also donating one euro for every participant to the German Stroke Foundation," says David Zimmermann. He hopes that this will provide additional motivation for runners of all ages to take part. The running event with races over five and ten kilometers as well as the school running (over 1,200 meters) and the Bambini run (600 meters) will take place on Wednesday, July 2, 2025.
Company run over five kilometers
Four years ago, the Bielefeld event agency impuls I event took over the organization of the run, which is now being held for the 17th time. "We focused on the company run over five kilometers," says Sarah Dörmann. "With the training, we may be able to allay the fears of some people who are not prepared for the five-kilometre run," says the organizer.
"Anyone can take part in training with Ingmar Lundström without registering," says Sarah Dörmann. The experienced running coach sees the meetings as "a relaxed session" for anyone who wants to prepare for the five or ten kilometers together. Training lasts until around 7.30 pm. Cool drinks are available after the training session.
Online registration for this year's Gütersoh Läuft is already open.
More information about the run: https://guetersloh-laeuft.de/
"Gütersloh runs" - stroke aid wins
Zimmermann donates an additional one euro per participant
Gütersloh, February 19, 2025 - As the main sponsor of the traditional "Gütersloh läuft" event, Zimmermann is adding a "bonus" this year: "For every runner, we are donating an additional euro to the German Stroke Aid," says David Zimmermann, Managing Director and spokesperson for the Zimmermann Group. "We hope to motivate even more companies and individuals to take part and at the same time make a contribution to preventive healthcare." The Zimmermann Group will offer its employees the Stroke Aid risk check in the fall.
"Together with the organizing agency, we, as the main sponsor, thought about how we could make a difference beyond the running event after the great premiere in 2024," reports David Zimmermann. A donation to the German Stroke Foundation was therefore the obvious choice. The foundation has been a partner of "Gütersloh läuft" for many years. David Zimmermann: "We hope that many people will have an additional incentive to take part in the run, because the amount donated increases with the number of participants." The running event with races over five and ten kilometers as well as school (over 1,200 meters) and Bambini runs (600 meters) will take place on Wednesday, July 2, 2025.
Organizer Sarah Dörmann from the Bielefeld agency impuls I event is hoping that even more teams will take part this year than in 2024. "Last year, we moved the race from the weekend to a Wednesday to make it easier for company and school teams to take part. That has proved successful." More than 1,500 participants from 81 companies and institutions took part in 2024 despite the summer heat.
First success: "Risk check" agreed for the Zimmermann workforce
Zimmermann's sponsorship brings the support of the German Stroke Foundation even more into focus. Jens Hughes quotes figures: "Almost 270,000 people suffer a stroke in Germany every year, with almost 80 percent of all those affected belonging to the 60+ age group. But around 30,000 people under the age of 55 are also affected." In times of a shortage of skilled workers, the fitness of the workforce is an important success factor for companies of all sizes. David Zimmermann is therefore planning to offer Zimmermann Group employees a "risk check" from Deutsche Schlaganfall-Hilfe in the fall of 2025.
"Gütersloh läuft" enters its 17th round - Registration is now open.
As in the previous year, training laps will also be offered in the city park in 2025 to prepare for the running event. Sarah Dörmann: "From May 5, we will meet every Monday for training - except at Whitsun."
Four years ago, the Bielefeld event agency impuls I event took over the organization of this run, which is now being held for the 17th time. "We have noticed that the topic of fitness and health is becoming increasingly important in many companies," emphasizes Sarah Dörmann. "That's why we're delighted when campaigns like this bring the concerns of Schlaganfall-Hilfe more into focus," says the organizer. In previous years, one euro of the entry fee went to the German Stroke Foundation. "Now this amount will be doubled by the Zimmermann donation," says a delighted Sarah Dörmann.
"We are delighted with the support," explains Jens Hughes. "This allows us to reach more people and inform them about stroke prevention."
Online registration for this year's Gütersoh Läuft is already open.
More information about the run and registration: https://guetersloh-laeuft.de/
f.l. Jens Hughes (Marketing Stiftung Deutsche Schlaganfall Hilfe), David Zimmermann (Managing Director Zimmermann Group), Lukas Wagner (Sales Manager Zimmermann Group), Sarah Dörmann (Managing Director impulsevent)
2024
New laboratories will be occupied in spring 2025
Zimmermann grows and invests: Head office and Marienfeld on schedule
Gütersloh, December 20, 2024 - The Zimmermann Group is growing and has increased its workforce by 20 percent to more than 600 in the past two years alone. "The new headquarters and laboratories on Gottlieb-Daimler-Straße, the new site in Marienfeld, investments in Liebenau, Ladeburg and Rostock - we are investing heavily in the future," says Gerhard Zimmermann, Managing Director of the Group. "We are thus laying the foundations for further growth," adds David Zimmermann, also
"The construction of the new head office is well on schedule," explains David Zimmermann. The building shell is in place, windows and façade elements have largely been installed. Now the interior work is underway. "23,000 meters of data cable and 10,000 meters of electrical cable alone are being laid. The 400 square meter test laboratories will be occupied from April, followed by the offices from May/June 2025," continues David Zimmermann. The new administration building has a total area of 2,700 square meters. All contracts for the seven-million-euro building were awarded to companies from the region. Spread over three floors, a total of 113 office workstations will be created. There is also space for five new meeting rooms and a canteen for up to 50 people. The old building will be demolished after the move in fall 2025. A parking lot will be created on the site - with up to 40 e-charging spaces and a fast-charging station when completed.
24,000 square meters of land purchased, detailed planning started
The second construction project in Gütersloh is also progressing according to plan: "We have purchased the 24,000 square meter site on Marienfelder Strasse from the city. The detailed planning for the site is now underway," says David Zimmermann. Parking and storage areas as well as a truck workshop are planned for Zimmermann Transport (Zimmermann Transport- und Chemiehandels GmbH & Co. KG). Zimmermann Industrieservice GmbH & Co. KG will have new office and sanitary facilities as well as various workshops for the maintenance and storage of its equipment. The building application is due to be submitted in spring 2025. David Zimmermann: "If everything goes well, we can start construction work in the second half of 2025 and move in the course of 2026." In the short term, around 90 people will work in the two subsidiaries at the new site. In the long term, there will be space for 180 to 200 employees.
From April 2025, no more reservoir water will be delivered to Gütersloh
There is also news in terms of reservoir water: since the natural gas producers in Lower Saxony have been able to return larger quantities to the reservoirs, the quantities delivered have been falling for some time. "The salt content was also significantly lower because it was mostly surface water," explains David Zimmermann. "And from April 2025, no more reservoir water will be brought to Gütersloh for treatment."
Chloride load reduced by 30 percent
Independently of this, the family-run Zimmermann Group, a specialist in the treatment and disposal of hazardous waste, has worked intensively on reducing the chloride content. "In consultation with the district government, we analyzed the processes and optimized the use of ferrous pickling agents, for example," explains Project Manager Martin Bischop. This alone has made it possible to reduce the chloride load in the wastewater by 30 percent. The Zimmermann Group's Research & Development department is working on further technical solutions. However, these projects are lengthy and require close coordination with the supervisory authorities. "In discussions with politicians, we have jointly established that the issue of 'salt in rivers' needs to be addressed far beyond the Lutter," reports David Zimmermann. This was preceded by several meetings with representatives of local politics from Gütersloh and Harsewinkel.
PFAS remediation shows effect
Commenting on the status of the PFAS-contaminated groundwater on the site of Gütersloher Gesellschaft für Verwertung und disposal" GmbH (GVE, a Zimmermann Group company), Managing Director Marco Zimmermann says: "168,000 liters of groundwater have been purified daily via the pre-filter and three activated carbon filter stages since mid-2023." Current results in the water discharge from the remediation plant document that no PFAS compounds are detectable. As soon as the first two activated carbon filters show saturation, they will be replaced by new filters. "In total, we have filtered 91.5 million liters of groundwater since the start of the purification process," says GVE Managing Director Marco Zimmermann. "This has resulted in a total of 130 grams of PFAS." These were disposed of in a hazardous waste incineration plant in accordance with regulations. The PFAS compounds presumably originate from extinguishing foams that were commonly used in previous firefighting operations.
Further investments in Liebenau, Ladeburg and Rostock
In addition to Gütersloh, the Zimmermann Group is also investing in other locations. "A modern administration building in Liebenau and Ladeburg and the construction of a CP facility in the port of Rostock are just two examples," says Gerhard Zimmermann. "We have grown continuously by around ten percent in recent years and are also aiming for a moderate increase in 2025."
Tiler Michael Niermeier
Tiler Michael Niermeier (left) and Hubert Förster (right)
Acquisition of land at Marienfeld airport
New administration building. View of Gottlieb-Daimler-Straße
Today's fire in the GVE mixing hall - no injuries, rapid response by the emergency services
Gütersloh, 21.11.2024 - This afternoon, a fire broke out in a conditioning tank in the conditioning hall of GVE - Gesellschaft für Verwertung und disposal GmbH & Co. KG - a fire broke out in a conditioning tank. The extinguishing agent system triggered automatically. Fortunately, no persons were injured.
The relevant authorities were informed of the incident immediately. The fire department was on site with emergency vehicles very quickly after the alarm and was able to bring the fire under control quickly thanks to its professional and rapid response in combination with the company's own safety measures. The all-clear was given within an hour. There was no danger from smoke or escaping gases for the businesses and residents in the neighborhood.
GVE has been part of the ZIMMERMANN Group since 1997. GVE operates an interim storage facility for hazardous waste and a conditioning plant for the pre-treatment of waste
Sebastian Zimmermann, Managing Director of GVE, expressly thanks the emergency services for their quick and effective response. The investigation into the cause of the ignition of the waste in the plant is ongoing.
Zimmermann Group opens branch in the port of Rostock
Gütersloh, October 9, 2024 - The Zimmermann Group is continuing its expansion: on October 1, 2024, it opened a new location in the port of Rostock. "We are starting with the separator service and a vacuum truck," says Managing Director Christian Schult. A hazardous waste interim storage facility and a chemical-physical plant (CP plant) are to be built as early as 2025. The approval procedures for this are starting now. The ninth branch of the Zimmermann Group will operate under the management of Zimmermann Sonderabfallentsorgung Nord GmbH & Co. KG in Liebenau, Lower Saxony.
The port of Rostock is considered the economic center of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. "With the port operations, the adjacent shipyards and industrial companies such as crane manufacturer Liebherr and wind turbine manufacturer Nordex in the vicinity, we see great potential in Rostock," says Christian Schult, explaining the choice of location. A cluster for hydrogen production and distribution is also being set up there.
Contaminated wastewater from customers' oil and petrol separators is collected and professionally treated using vacuum trucks. The experts also carry out testing, maintenance and documentation of the separators. "In the initial phase, we want to quickly increase the volumes to 10 to 20 cubic meters per day," reports Christian Schult. The fleet is set to grow to five vehicles as customer demand increases. At the same time, a customer service team is being set up. The wastewater will be treated in the Zimmermann Group's existing facilities.
"Initially, we will run the Rostock site from Liebenau as a branch of Zimmermann Nord," says Managing Director David Zimmermann, spokesman for the Zimmermann Group. The basis for further growth will be laid in 2025 with the commissioning of the interim storage facility and the CP plant. "Rostock is the largest city in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and an industrial center with considerable opportunities for our industrial services is developing around the port," says David Zimmermann.
ZIMMERMANN in focus: WDR reporting on professional and environmentally friendly extinguishing water treatment
In the WDR Lokalzeit OWL on October 1, 2024, the ZIMMERMANN Group was in the spotlight! The report on our effective claims management and professional extinguishing water treatment after the fire damage at the Westfalenblatt publishing house in Bielefeld aroused great interest. Our driver Ingo Schäfer and Massimo Tarun, our project manager for emergency and claims management, explained in an interview what was important during the on-site operation.
Editor Stefan Leiwen from WDR Bielefeld then had our plant manager Nico Brangenberg explain to him at the CP plant in Gütersloh how we treat the contaminated extinguishing water in an environmentally friendly way and return it to the natural cycle - a central component of our corporate philosophy.
Figures, data and facts prove our commitment: On July 7, 2024, ZIMMERMANN's industrial service was alerted to dispose of extinguishing water after the fire in Bielefeld. A total of around 310 tons of extinguishing water and wastewater had to be treated. Our vacuum trucks were in operation for over 15 hours and, in close coordination with the environmental agency, a contaminated sewer was successfully cleaned.
We are proud of the commitment and expertise of our team. ZIMMERMANN remains a reliable partner in disposal and environmental protection. We look forward to future projects and further reports!
Here is the link to Lokalzeit OWL - the report starts at minute 13.14 and is available until 01.10.2026:
https://www.ardmediathek.de/video/Y3JpZDovL3dkci5kZS9CZWl0cmFnLXNvcGhvcmEtMzI0MjMxMjYtMTNmNy00ODI1LTg5YjgtMGI3ZGQ5MjljYjc0/
Nine trainees start in Gütersloh
Gütersloh, August 1, 2024 - Nine more apprentices started their training today at the Zimmermann Group headquarters in Gütersloh. In total, 14 new trainees are starting at the specialist for hazardous waste disposal and recycling at four locations. This means that the number of trainees has risen from four to 35 in just four years. "We are strengthening in-house training in order to be able to manage our sustainable growth in terms of personnel," says Managing Director David Zimmermann. In the first few days, the "newcomers" from Liebenau (Lower Saxony), Ladeburg (Saxony-Anhalt) and Goch (North Rhine-Westphalia) get to know their colleagues at the Gütersloh headquarters.
14 young trainees are starting a new chapter in their lives today: Managing Director David Zimmermann and Training Manager Nina Wallenstein welcomed the 14 motivated career starters at the Gütersloh site. The trainees were then given a comprehensive tour of the various areas of the Zimmermann Group and got to know their trainers and colleagues.
Lara Kleinebrummel and Eliona Latifi have started their training as industrial clerks at the head office in Gütersloh. Mathis Rolf will also be joining the administration team as a prospective IT specialist for system integration. Eren Pacal and Liliana Nierenberg are being trained as prospective chemical technicians. Lorena Diekmann will start her training as a chemical laboratory technician in the central laboratory. With Daniel Seibel and Yannick Wehmeier, the vehicle fleet in Gütersloh will also have two young professional drivers. For the second time, Mika Krauß will be trained as a mechatronics technician for commercial vehicles in the fleet workshop.
For the second time in a row, new trainees are also joining the team in Liebenau: Luca Pfannenschmidt (chemical technician), John Köhler (chemical production specialist) and Tobias Kneist (professional driver) are rejuvenating the team in Lower Saxony.
Leonie Schröter starts her training as a chemical laboratory assistant in Ladeburg and Damian Krakuhn starts his training as a chemical technician in Goch.
In times of a shortage of skilled workers, the company group is focusing on training even more junior staff itself. "Just three years ago, we only employed four apprentices," explains Managing Director David Zimmermann. With the start of the new training year, there are now 35 in total and he hopes to be able to take on many of them after their training.
"In the 2024 training year, we have now taken on two more young people instead of the twelve positions originally planned," says Zimmermann Training Manager Nina Wallenstein. "And we are already starting to draw the attention of applicants for 2025 to us again."
Takeover rate of 95 percent
"The trainees are given responsibility early on and are firmly integrated into the teams," says David Zimmermann. They receive regular feedback. In total, more than 50 employees look after the young people as trainers or training supervisors. "As part of this support, development discussions are held at an early stage for the time after the apprenticeship. As a result, we achieve a 95% takeover rate," reports David Zimmermann.
Etienne Höne (completing his 3rd year of training as an industrial clerk), Nina Wallenstein (training manager), Seraphina Mesa-Sanchez (former industrial clerk trainee, now HR trainee), David Zimmermann (Managing Director)
Safety day at the Zimmermann Group site
Gütersloh, July 25, 2024 - The Gütersloh fire department and Zimmermann Group employees simulated emergency and accident scenarios at a total of four stations and completed safety training together. "Thanks to clear processes and regular training, the Zimmermann team is well prepared for dealing with hazardous substances," said fire department boss Wolfgang Pollmeier, drawing a positive conclusion. "We have also taught our colleagues how to extinguish, recover and contain contamination." At the same time, his firefighters were able to better familiarize themselves with the local conditions during the exercise.
A fire in the mixing hall of Plant 3 with two people missing, a damaged acid container in Plant 1, a dangerous gas cloud in Plant 2 and a person on fire in an open area: over months of preparation, the Zimmermann Group's safety managers and representatives of the fire department, under the direction of Wolfgang Pollmeier, came up with some spectacular hazard scenarios. The head of the Gütersloh fire department also invited the volunteer fire departments from Isselhorst, Friedrichsdorf and Avenwedde-Bahnhof to rehearse together for the exercise at the end of June. "One safety day per year and a big safety day like this every three years - this is how we ensure that everything meshes quickly in the event of an emergency," explains Martin Bischop, Incident Officer at the Zimmermann Group. The safety day was accompanied by Christian Bremehr from the Gütersloh district disaster control office. More than 30 firefighters and 56 employees took part in the safety day.
"Everyone involved was able to learn a lot from each other," says Martin Bischop. For example, the firefighters were relieved of their concerns about the large number of hazardous substances. They are now also more familiar with the four plants on Gottlieb-Daimler-Strasse. The employees learned in practice how to rescue injured people, extinguish fires effectively and contain the spread of gases.
"We would like to thank the local fire departments for the comprehensive and informative exercise," says Martin Bischop. The results and suggestions for optimization will be incorporated into future processes.
Fire department manager Wolfgang Pollmeier also drew a positive balance: "We now have a good initial overview of the plants. And we were able to practise difficult situations here very close to the action."
ZIMMERMANN is a platinum sponsor of FC Gütersloh
On 17.07.2024, Managing Directors David and Gerhard Zimmermann officially signed the new partnership with Managing Director Hans-Herrmann Kirschner at the Heidewaldstadion in Gütersloh.
When asked about the reasons for sponsoring FC Gütersloh, Gerhard Zimmermann explained: "FC Gütersloh has strong roots in the region and a loyal fan base. We appreciate the values and team spirit that are present in soccer and see the partnership with FC Gütersloh as an opportunity to support and promote these values in the long term." David Zimmermann added: "As a local company, it is important for us to show our commitment to the community. Sponsoring FC Gütersloh allows us to actively give something back."
The ZIMMERMANN Group's new LED perimeter advertising, which will adorn the Heidewaldstadion during regional matches in the coming season, was also presented at the event. The slogan "Environmental service provider seeks natural talent" underlines the ZIMMERMANN Group's commitment to recruiting.
Installation of the PV system starts in August
Gütersloh, June 28, 2024 - "The construction of the new headquarters is a milestone for us as a community," said David Zimmermann, Managing Director of the Zimmermann Group, at the topping-out ceremony on Friday afternoon on Gottlieb-Daimler-Straße. Turning to the many employees, he said. "You are the most valuable asset we have!" The family-run Zimmermann Group, a specialist in the treatment and disposal of hazardous waste, is building a new administration building at its headquarters in Gütersloh. The shell has been completed, the window construction is being prepared and as soon as the roof work is finished, the assembly of the PV system and the installation of the air conditioning/ventilation and laboratory technology will start in August. The Group is investing around seven million euros in the new building. It should be completed by mid-2025.
After a traditional topping-out speech by master roofer Stefan Frickenstein (Verl), a total of five managing directors of the carpentry companies toasted the success of the construction project with Martin Strobender, Managing Director of the construction planning office Volker Weege, at lofty heights. "The glasses have to be traditionally thrown against the building and break like at a ship launching - that brings good luck," explained the master craftsman. The third-generation "carpenters" passed this test with flying colors.
The new administration building has a total area of 2,700 square meters. A total of 94 office workstations are spread over three floors. In addition, up to ten colleagues will work with the latest technology in the 400 square meter test laboratory. Five new meeting rooms and a canteen are also planned. This offers space for 50 people. The old building will be demolished after the move.
Workshops on the design of the new rooms
The offices and the new training and meeting rooms will have a modern and open design. "In workshops with our colleagues, we worked together to develop ideas for an optimal layout," explains David Zimmermann. "Above all, we want to create space for exchange, creativity and teamwork."
Despite flexible working models, employees should be able to come together more often at the head office. David Zimmermann explains: "Personal contact and interaction in the office ensure a lively corporate culture." Thanks to modern technology in the workplace, efficiency and productivity are also increasing. The Group is investing around seven million euros in the new headquarters. With an accredited test laboratory, the research and development department and engineering services, the position as a
one of the leading providers for the treatment and disposal of hazardous waste will be further strengthened and expanded. "This new building is a clear signal at the headquarters and thus the roots of our company," says the Managing Director.
Sustainability counts: Local companies commissioned
When awarding the contract for the new building, the Zimmermann Group gave priority to local companies from the surrounding area. David Zimmermann: "We made this decision consciously in order to strengthen the regional economy and secure local jobs. By working with local companies, we can not only guarantee the quality of the work, but also avoid excessive CO2 emissions thanks to short transportation routes."
After the official part, more than 100 employees, craftsmen and guests celebrated the topping-out ceremony together with the management and the owner families.
Zimmermann Group present at job fairs in Verl and Bielefeld
Gütersloh, June 7, 2024 - The Zimmermann Group, a specialist in disposal waste disposal and recycling, is increasing the number of trainees from four to 33 in just four years. "We have greatly expanded in-house training in recent years in order to be able to support our sustainable growth in terms of personnel," says Managing Director David Zimmermann. Currently, trainees are being trained at the Gütersloh headquarters as well as at the Liebenau (Lower Saxony), Ladeburg, Bitterfeld (both Saxony-Anhalt) and Goch (North Rhine-Westphalia) sites. In summer 2025, further trainees will start in Mülheim an der Mosel. In mid-June, the Zimmermann Group will be present at the job fairs in Verl (June 14/15, 2024) and Bielefeld (June 18/19, 2024).
Clara Wierum has been training as an industrial clerk at the Zimmermann Group since 2023. However, she is not only getting to know the commercial areas, but is also gaining an insight into the industrial areas in short assignments
Finding good new employees is not always easy in times of a shortage of skilled workers. The group of companies is therefore focusing on training even more junior staff itself. "Just three years ago, we only employed four apprentices," explains Managing Director David Zimmermann: "There are now 25. And by the start of the new training year on August 1, 2024, there will be 33 in total."
The company attaches great importance to a wide range of training opportunities. Specifically, the Zimmermann Group offers a range of twelve apprenticeships in the industrial-technical and commercial fields. These include specialist in recycling and waste management, freight forwarding clerk, industrial clerk, warehouse clerk, professional driver, automotive mechatronics technician, industrial mechanic, office management clerk, IT specialist for system integration, data and process analysis, chemical technician and chemical laboratory technician. There is also the opportunity to complete a dual study program in the field of chemical process engineering.
"We have already filled all twelve new positions for the 2024 training year," says Zimmermann Training Manager Nina Wallenstein. "However, we are already starting to draw the attention of applicants for 2025." The Zimmermann Group will therefore be presenting itself in the coming weeks at the Azubi-Plus Days in Verl (June 14/15, 2024) and at the Vocatium training fair in Bielefeld's Stadthalle (June 18/19, 2024).
Takeover rate of 95 percent
"We make sure that our trainees are given responsible tasks early on and are firmly integrated into the teams," explains David Zimmermann. In this way, they quickly learn to work independently and receive regular feedback. The trainers are also actively encouraged. "Last year alone, twelve employees completed a qualification," says Nina Wallenstein. In total, more than 50 employees look after the young people as trainers or training supervisors. "As part of this support, development discussions are held at an early stage for the time after the apprenticeship. This is another reason why we achieve a 95% takeover rate," says David Zimmermann, drawing a positive balance.
A further 14 new apprenticeships planned for 2025
As things stand at present, another 14 young people will be able to start their training at the Group next year. "As a specialist in hazardous waste, we first have to dispel clichés and prejudices," says Nina Wallenstein. But when the young people then see how many areas of life generate waste and how it can be processed and fed back into the economic cycle as a raw material, they are fascinated. "We don't just want to convince young people of our mission, we also support them with iPads, sports and health activities and exam preparation courses," explains the training manager. It is also important to look at all areas of the company. For this reason, commercial trainees move to the production department and the industrial trainees gain an insight into the commercial area. The new administration building on Gottlieb-Daimler-Straße will also provide a modern working environment by mid-2025 - another plus point for the company's attractiveness as a training company.
Seraphina Mesa Sanchez (l) and Clara Wierum (r) are training to become industrial clerks. Seraphina is in her third year of training and Clara in her first. As commercial employees, they are also gaining an insight into the day-to-day business of hazardous waste treatment while working in production.
Trainee Plus Days in Verl
Friday, June 14, 2024, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and Saturday, June 15, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m,
Location: Exhibition stand C18,
heroal - Johann Henkenjohann GmbH & Co. KG, Österwieher Straße 80, 33415 Verl, Germany
Vocatium training fair in the Stadthalle Bielefeld
Tuesday/Wednesday, June 18 and 19, 2024 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day
"Gütersloh läuft": Zimmermann team starts as main sponsor on June 26, 2024
Gütersloh, May 7, 2024 - Training kicked off in the city park: under the guidance of Gütersloh's legendary coach Ingmar Lundström, around 30 runners got off to a relaxed start on Monday in preparation for the traditional "Gütersloh läuft" event. Organizer Sarah Dörmann and main sponsor David Zimmermann invite runners to "warm up" together in Gütersloh's Stadtpark every Monday from 6.45 p.m. until the race on 26 June 2024.
"Warming up" for the 16th edition of "Gütersloh läuft" in the city park: Zimmermann sales manager Lukas Wagner (front left), managing director David Zimmermann, organizer Sarah Dörmann and running coach Ingmar Lundström (front, from right) invite you to a relaxed training session every Monday (except on Whit Monday).
"We want to create anticipation for the company run with the relaxed training," says Zimmermann Sales Manager Lukas Wagner. Managing Director David Zimmermann is also taking part in the kick-off and has blocked the training dates for himself. Active running groups have been training among the Zimmermann Group's employees for years. "That's why the Zimmermann Group is supporting the traditional running event in Gütersloh's city park as the main sponsor for the first time this year," explains David Zimmermann. "We will be heavily promoting the run to our employees," he announces. New running shirts for a strong joint appearance by the Zimmermann team were already "inaugurated" on Monday evening.
Company run over five kilometers
Three years ago, the Bielefeld event agency impuls I event took over the organization of the run, which is now being held for the 16th time. "We want to focus on the five-kilometre company run," emphasizes Sarah Dörmann. In times of a shortage of skilled workers and an ageing society, the fitness of the workforce is an important success factor for companies of all sizes. "That's why we've scheduled the run for Wednesday, June 26. Everyone can come straight from work and doesn't have to sacrifice their weekend," says the organizer.
"Anyone can take part in training with Ingmar Lundström without registering," emphasizes Sarah Dörmann. The experienced running coach sees the meetings as "a relaxed session" for anyone who wants to prepare for the five or ten kilometers together. The training lasts until 7.30 pm. And cool drinks are provided at the end.
The other running training dates: May 13, 2024, May 27, 2024, June 3, 2024, June 10, 2024, June 17, 2024 and June 24, 2024, each starting at 6:45 p.m.
More information about the run: https://guetersloh-laeuft.de/
Musa Aydogdu (62) has been working for the Zimmermann Group for 40 years
Gütersloh, February 27, 2024- Musa Aydogdu celebrated a rare anniversary in mid-February: The 62-year-old has been working for the Gütersloh-based Zimmermann Group for 40 years. "I still remember the first day exactly. I arrived an hour late because my moped wouldn't start because of the cold," says Musa Aydogdu. The stern senior boss pointed to his watch, but the newcomer's oil-smeared hands appeased him. "Musa", as everyone in the company now calls him, was allowed to start his job as a farmhand despite the faux pas.
From farm worker to machine operator: Musa Aydogdu is highly valued by Managing Director Gerhard Zimmermann (left) and Operations Manager Nico Brangenberg (right) for his experience in production.
Since then, the specialist company for hazardous waste disposal and recycling has grown from five colleagues to more than 550 today. "Back then, as Operations Manager, I set up the CP plant, the origin of our group in Gütersloh," recalls Managing Director Gerhard Zimmermann. "We tackled a lot of things together with Musa, especially in the early years. A friendship grew out of that."
Wherever helping hands were needed, the young Turk was on hand. At the time, Musa Aydogdu worked with five colleagues in the small plant on Gottlieb-Daimler-Strasse. Three to four vehicles were part of the fleet. Gerhard Zimmermann remembers it well: "His first project was to repaint a chamber filter press that we had bought second-hand. Musa was therefore involved in the development of our company almost from the very beginning." Over the years, he worked his way up to machine operator. "With his experience, he is now our specialist for the three-phase decanter, in which we separate solids, water and oil," says CP plant manager Nico Brangenberg.
Employees from more than 20 nations
For Musa Aydogdu, his origins in Turkey have never been an obstacle in the Zimmermann Group. His colleagues look forward to his birthday every year because that's when he serves a big round of homemade lahmacun. "I prepare 50 to 60 lahmacun together with my wife. We start the day before," he says. Colleagues are now asking if they can order lahmacun from him for their own parties.
The employees of the Zimmermann Group come from more than 20 nations. "Some came from Poland, later also from Turkey and many other countries," recalls Gerhard Zimmermann. Today, the Group has more than 550 employees at eight locations. The company therefore takes religious customs into consideration, for example. "When Ramadan fell in the hot summer months, we sometimes spared Musa," says the Managing Director. The company has also always been accommodating when Musa Aydogdu spends his annual vacation of six weeks at a time in his native Turkey.
He often worked on his house there and thus built up a second home for his retirement. As the father of four grown-up children and grandfather of eight grandchildren in Germany, he also wants to remain loyal to Gütersloh.
Managing Director Gerhard Zimmermann (right) thanks Musa Aydogdu for his many years of loyalty to the company.
Musa Aydogdu wants to continue working at the Zimmermann Group for a few more years: "I should actually work until I'm 67, but at 65 I'll have completed 45 years of work and could stop. Let's see what my health is like." Gerhard Zimmermann is optimistic and believes that the 62-year-old will stay on board for a while longer. After all, the Managing Director cannot remember Musa ever being ill for any length of time.
2023
Zimmermann Group sees potential in the north
Gütersloh, December 7, 2023 - The Zimmermann Group, a specialist in hazardous waste disposal and recycling, has appointed Christian Schult (40) as Managing Director of Zimmermann Sonderabfallentsorgung und Verwertung GmbH & Co KG at its headquarters in Gütersloh. He will manage the company together with Managing Director David Zimmermann. Since February 2023, Christian Schult has been responsible for the business of Zimmermann Sonderabfallentsorgung Nord GmbH & Co. KG in Liebenau (Lower Saxony) since February 2023.
Schult has extensive expertise in the waste and disposal industry. After training as an industrial clerk, he worked for a well-known waste disposal company for more than 20 years in the areas of Waste stream management and Dispatching as well as key account manager and hazardous goods officer. In his last position, Schult was Managing Director and responsible for several branches and operating sites.
Since November 2023, Christian Schult (right) has been the new Managing Director of Zimmermann Sonderabfallentsorgung und Verwertung GmbH & Co. KG at its headquarters in Gütersloh.
"We are delighted that we have been able to recruit Christian Schult for the Zimmermann Group. With his expertise, we are well positioned for the future and further growth," says David Zimmermann, Managing Director of the Zimmermann Group.
In the coming years, the Group intends to further expand its presence in northern and southern Germany. In the north, the Liebenau site will serve as the starting point for further market development. "We see considerable potential with customers in the industrial and commercial sectors as well as in the port environment," says David Zimmermann.
Seven-million-euro building to be completed in mid-2025
Gütersloh, November 24, 2023 - The family-run Zimmermann Group, a specialist in the treatment and disposal of hazardous waste, is building a new administration building at its headquarters in Gütersloh. The foundation stone has been laid. Senior Site Manager Martin Strobender, Foreman Dieter Bökamp and Managing Director David Zimmermann presented the overall project today. The building is scheduled for completion by mid-2025. The Group is investing around seven million euros in the new building.
"The continuous growth of the Zimmermann Group over the past ten years made a new building unavoidable," says David Zimmermann, explaining the construction project. The new administration building will have a total area of 2700 square meters. Spread over three floors, a total of 94 office workstations will be created. In addition, up to ten colleagues will work with the latest technology in the 400 square meter test laboratory. Five new meeting rooms and a canteen are also planned. This offers space for 50 people. The old building will be demolished after the move.
Creating an optimized working environment
"The offices and the new training and meeting rooms will have a modern and open design. Of course, we also offer our employees opportunities to retreat and concentrate on their work," explains David Zimmermann. "We want to create an optimized working environment and offer space for exchange, creativity and teamwork. This increases employee satisfaction in the long term." Even though the Group continues to offer flexible working, it wants its employees to come together more often at the head office. "Because," says David Zimmermann, "personal contact and interaction in the office ensure a lively corporate culture. The modern technical equipment in the workstations increases the efficiency and productivity of our employees."
Further expanding presence in the north and south
The new building is a clear signal for the headquarters and thus for the roots of the company. Nevertheless, the Zimmermann Group has set its growth targets broadly. It is focusing on sustainable expansion and a decentralized growth strategy. This approach has worked very successfully in the "Region East" with the sites in Ladeburg near Gommern and Bitterfeld in recent years. In the coming years, the Group intends to further expand its presence in northern and southern Germany in particular, including at the site in Liebenau (Lower Saxony). The Group sees great potential with customers from the traditionally strong SME sector, for example in mechanical and plant engineering, as well as in the port environment.
"The synergetic development of our branches and headquarters increases the efficiency of our company. With our accredited testing laboratory, our research and development department and our engineering services, we will be able to further strengthen our position as one of the leading providers for the treatment and disposal of hazardous waste in the future," concludes Zimmermann.
The year of the start of construction "2023" is immortalized in the elevator shaft: (from left to right) Foreman Dieter Bökamp (Managing Director of Bökamp Bau GmbH), Senior Site Manager Martin Strobender (Managing Director of Volker Weege Planungs- und Bauleitungsbüro GmbH) and Zimmermann Managing Director David Zimmermann presented the new construction project on Gottlieb-Daimler-Straße today.
In an appeal, Alliance 90/The Greens have called on the addressees of the open letter to "work together with all those involved to define measures for dry periods and to implement these immediately in times of low water levels".
We at the ZIMMERMANN Group support the proposal and reaffirm that we also have a great interest in the good ecological condition of the Lutter. We had already presented specific projects in a joint meeting with representatives of Alliance 90/The Greens on March 16, 2023 at our premises.
In this meeting, we announced that we were looking for process combinations as part of our research and development work in order to significantly reduce the salt concentration in our wastewater in the future. However, it will still take years from research to large-scale implementation.
In response to the question of what measures could be taken in the short term to reduce salt in the Lutter - especially in dry weather - we stated, among other things, that it would be conceivable to transport some of our wastewater by truck to other sewage treatment plants.
The keyword is "sewer on wheels". However, this requires the approval of the responsible water management authority and the respective wastewater treatment plant operator.
We responded to the open letter on Monday of this week (August 7, 2023). We welcome the fact that Alliance 90/The Greens are now also taking up our proposals for short, medium and long-term measures and calling for their implementation.
We would be happy to make our meeting room available for an appointment with the addressees of the open letter. In addition, we have offered BÜNDNIS 90/DIE GRÜNEN (Alliance 90/The Greens) that, if they are interested, we would like representatives of their council and district parliamentary groups to attend.
Of course, the occasionally low water flow of the Lutter has an influence on the salt concentration in the Lutter with a relatively constant salt load. In our view, however, it is not enough to focus all efforts to improve the ecological status of the Lutter on a single indirect discharger.
The open letter states: "During the dry periods in May and June, it was found that the water level in the Lutter was very low due to the drought. The inflow to the Obere Lutter sewage treatment plant in June 2023 was therefore roughly the same as the Lutter's own water."
Shouldn't we also start at this point and look for measures to achieve not only a good ecological status but also a secure inflow of the Lutter's own natural water?
We are available for a joint discussion and a constructive exchange.
Management Board
ZIMMERMANN Group
Every day, 168,000 liters flow through the pre-filter and three activated carbon filters: purified, uncontaminated water
Gütersloh, August 4, 2023 - The remediation of PFAS-contaminated groundwater at the Gütersloh "Gesellschaft für Verwertung und disposal" GmbH (GVE) site has been underway for two months. Current results in the water discharge from the remediation plant document that no PFAS compounds are detectable. "With the pre-filter and three activated carbon filter stages, we have therefore successfully stopped any further PFAS entering the groundwater," says GVE Managing Director Marco Zimmermann. In mid-July 2023, the Gütersloh district's lower water authority banned a total of 28 owners from using groundwater as a precautionary measure. The PFAS compounds presumably originate from extinguishing foams that were commonly used in previous firefighting operations.
As part of an initial status report, PFAS compounds were detected in various concentrations on the GVE site. GVE has been planning to modernize the existing facilities since 2019. "Among other things, the conditioning hall as well as the small quantity treatment and the exhaust air treatment plant are to be replaced by new buildings," reports Marco Zimmermann. He puts the investment volume at around six million euros.
Insignificance threshold of 0.1 μg/l reached
The GVE is a plant that is subject to the European Industrial Emissions Directive (so-called IED plant). For this reason, the preparation of an initial status report (AZB) was required as part of the modernization planning and thus as part of the permit application in accordance with the Federal Immission Control Act. The initial condition of the soil and groundwater should be examined before the construction and operation of a plant.
In coordination with the Detmold district government, GVE had soil and groundwater samples taken and analyzed at various locations. An independent testing laboratory had then carried out detailed water and soil tests since 2021. A concentration of PFOS of 0.1 μg/l was measured at a measuring point outside the GVE site, which corresponds to the insignificance threshold.
The abbreviation PFC stands for perfluorinated chemicals. These are organic compounds with fluorine content. They belong to the large group of PFAS with more than 10,000 different compounds. These compounds do not occur in nature. They are used in various areas, for example to impregnate outdoor clothing, to coat baking paper, food packaging and Teflon pans. PFCs tend to form a lot of foam. They are also used in extinguishing agents due to their high resistance to thermal and mechanical influences.
"Groundwater use prohibited as a precautionary measure"
After extensive investigations - in order to limit the PFC input as precisely as possible and to be able to initiate suitable measures - GVE began groundwater remediation on May 31, 2023 in close coordination with the Detmold district authority, the district of Gütersloh and the city of Gütersloh. The groundwater on the company premises is cleaned using a three-stage activated carbon filter. The groundwater is extracted from a specially constructed remediation well on the north-western edge of the GVE site and purified. "We purify around 168,000 liters of groundwater in the filter systems every day," says Marco Zimmermann. All measures are continuously coordinated with the authorities and information is provided on the progress of the remediation.
As part of a preventive measure for soil protection, the lower water authority had issued a general order from July 14, 2023, prohibiting the affected property owners from drawing groundwater or from an unnamed body of water. According to the press release, "the use of groundwater is prohibited as a precautionary measure" due to the PFAS compounds, according to the authority.
Knowledge of the effects of PFAS has been limited to date, according to the district. PFAS are very persistent in the environment and in living organisms. Some PFAS accumulate in various organisms, including humans. In recent years, according to the water authorities, certain PFAS have also been found to have harmful effects on health.
Remediation concept always in coordination with the authorities
A remediation concept for the soil on the GVE site is being prepared. Further investigations were carried out in order to map and narrow down the PFC contamination as precisely as possible, including in three dimensions. "Since the PFC findings became known, our aim has been to carry out the fastest and best possible soil and groundwater remediation," explains Marco Zimmermann. "However, the company is dependent on approval from the authorities before starting any remediation measures."
Information on the redevelopment measures on the GVE property
Activated carbon filter on the GVE site
On Saturday, March 4, the big careers fair will take place in Rietberg for the 18th time. Together with the Gymnasium Nepomucenum Rietberg and the Richard-von-Weizsäcker-Gesamtschule Rietberg, the city of Rietberg invites you to this free information day at the school center on Torfweg. More than 140 companies, universities and technical colleges offer the opportunity to get to know job profiles and ask questions. The ZIMMERMANN Group presents itself at this training fair with 14 training occupations and a dual study program.
We are delighted that we have been able to recruit Christian Schult as Managing Director for our site in Liebenau. Christian Schult has been working in the hazardous waste business for over 23 years. He would like to contribute his wide-ranging experience above all to the further expansion of the Liebenau site, but also to better networking and optimization within the ZIMMERMANN Group. Alongside Andreas Schulze (Managing Director of our sites in Ladeburg and Bitterfeld), Mr. Schult has been the second external Managing Director outside the Zimmermann family since 15 February. We are very pleased to welcome him to our ZIMMERMANN team and are thus taking another important step in our growth strategy.
As in all ZIMMERMANN companies, our Plant 3 in Gottlieb-Daimler-Straße in Gütersloh is also focusing on growth and creating more space for new workplaces. An additional floor will create 120 square meters of new, light-flooded office space.
2022
As a sustainable environmental service provider, ZIMMERMANN is systemically relevant to our society. We dispose of waste from industry and commerce that is generated during the manufacture of many products for daily use and consumption. By taking over and disposal of reservoir water from gas extraction, we ensure that gas can continue to be extracted in Germany. This is more important than ever, especially in these times of impending supply bottlenecks in the energy sector and exploding energy prices. This year, we have seen how quickly a supply bottleneck can threaten with the curtailment of supplies of Russian natural gas. In addition, ZIMMERMANN has been researching desalination plants since 2018 and has already invested a seven-figure sum in these projects. The result has not been satisfactory so far due to the high CO2 emissions. Research at ZIMMERMANN is also being pursued further, but the development of an efficient plant will still take years The ZIMMERMANN Group complies with all legal requirements and approved framework conditions at all times in all work relating to reservoir water treatment and processing. Applicable limit values are even significantly undercut in everyday operations.
