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With decreasing sales since 2014 in Germany and since 2015group-wide, primarily due to losses in traditional retail resulting from online competition, management has been moved to strike out a new path in order to keep the Ganter Group on track for growth in the future, too. In a first step based on the brief provided by Michael Ganter, the management team got together in a multi-day workshop in early 2016 to develop a draft strategy to turn the Group into a global construction service provider. Everyone was unanimous that clients from Commercial and Residential should be served in addition to the existing Retail segment. Moreover, one goal identified was to gradually expand the Ganter service portfolio to cover the entire lifecycle of properties in order to be able to offer clients a cooperative, expert partnership from the initial concept to the smooth operation of their property.

The new structure provides clear, international support for both growth and teamwork on large-scale projects.

During the detailed development of these strategic approaches and the road map in summer 2016, it became clear that there were many new opportunities associated with the changes in the pipeline, but also challenges in terms of their implementation – for management and staff alike. These realisations led to the founding of an internal team that took over the development of the ‘Empowerment’ transformation process and monitored it from that point on. Key milestones included the reorganisation of the company, the subsequent revision of the entire Ganter Group corporate communication – including all advertising and online content – and events such as the Ganter Inspiration Day. This interdisciplinary event with 130 guests attending from various industries, dealing with the topics of retail, construction and property, communicated the changes in the business divisions and services at Ganter far beyond the company itself. At the same time, efforts were made to train staff and recruit new employees, draft work processes and create structures to serve the new divisions and to be able to offer the new services. High customer loyalty was assured by the continually fulfilled promise that Ganter is able to bring the construction vision of its clients to life as an international construction and property service provider with expert staff on hand. During the entire transformation process, the Empowerment team continued to monitor individual measures for their validity and feasibility. The decision to open up a new division in addition to Retail, Commercial and Residential was one result of this. The new division – known as Public – will specialise in public and semi-public-sector clients. With 2018 coming to a close, Empowerment is now largely complete and Ganter management and staff alike are very happy with what has been achieved so far, even if there are occasional adjustments still to be made. The key positions have already been filled in all divisions and the new structure provides clear, international support for both growth and teamwork on large-scale projects. Numerous projects have already been completed successfully in the new divisions and with the new service portfolio. As general contractor, Ganter has already developed several hotel and office projects in its Commercial division, as well as a number of high-prestige properties in the Residential division. First successes have also already been seen in the brand-new Public division: here, Ganter has been able to gain a foothold with a multi-year service contract for 1.000 residential units for government employees. What’s more, the Retail division is also once again showing growth, which is partly due to the fact that Ganter continues to enjoy an exceptional reputation around the world, but also because the Ganter range of service is being supplemented by the new Product Design & Procurement unit. A dedicated team was set up for Product Design & Procurement, and its services have been in high demand. So, whether you are already a client, partner, or employee of Ganter, or not, we look forward to working with you in the future across all of our business divisions and with a fully comprehensive range of services.

More Insights about the Ganter Group can be found here.

Felix Mathiowetz, a native of Bayerischer Untermain in Bavaria, has been a managing director of the Ganter Group since 2016. He holds a degree in Construction and Industrial Engineering, has a Master of Facility Management and worked until 2016 for a German holding which is part of the French Vinci Group. Felix gained eleven years of management experience there, working in various leadership positions from site manager to managing director. In the latter role, he managed diverse construction and facility management projects in Europe, Africa and the USA. As CEO of the Ganter Construction & Interiors Group since 2017, Felix has defined the company’s strategy for the core business of Ganter in the fields Commercial, Residential, Retail and Public. In addition, he has been responsible for positioning the company on the market, for building its portfolio, for leading the administrative department and business fields as well as for the optimization of the organisational and operational structuring.

The Andermatt-Sedrun ski area connection opened in December 2018 with the official inauguration of the Oberalppass-Schneehüenerstock gondola lift (Schneehüenerstock-Express) in time for the start of the 2018/19 winter season. Good news for all buyers and interested parties of the Alpenrose apartment building realised by GANTER.

After a total construction period of ten years and investments of over CHF 130 million, the ski resort, whose planning began in 2005, is now almost complete! A further stage is still to come: in winter 2019/20 the connection from Sedrun to the Disentis ski resort will be completed.

THE SKI AREA OF THE HOLIDAY REGION OF ANDERMATT
The SkiArena Andermatt-Sedrun is located in the heart of the Swiss Alps and is now the largest and most modern ski area in Central Switzerland with over 120 km of pistes and 22 lifts. The area extends up to the almost 3,000-metre-high Gemsstock and over the Schneehüenerstock (2,600 metres above sea level) and Oberalp Pass to Sedrun and Disentis in the canton of Grisons. With numerous cross-country ski runs, opportunities for winter hikes and snowshoe trails, this ski area offers the perfect backdrop for your winter activities.

Here you can find the SkiArena-Pistenplan_2018.

GANTER IN ANDERMATT
GANTER has realised a joint venture project with ANDERMATT SWISS ALPS in a prime location in the centre of the holiday village: the five-storey apartment building Alpenrose.  We are responsible for both the construction and the interior of this special project. At the end of October 2018, the scaffolding was finally dismantled and the elaborately designed façade, including the sophisticated graphic elements on the bay windows and shutters, are now fully shown to advantage. The Alpenrose is already a highlight at the newly created Piazza Reuss. But not only the exterior has changed a lot: In spring, the interior concept was partially revised and fine-tuned. The aim was again to reflect the unique environment of the Alpenrose in the interior and to create an alpine, homely and perfectly coordinated atmosphere for the future owners. After the shell had been completed at the beginning of the year, the actual living space, the inner structure of the Alpenrose, was gradually created. In the course of the interior work, a wide variety of craftsmen worked hand in hand, from fire protection specialists to chimney builders, kitchen builders, electricians and carpenters. Up to 20 trades were on the construction site at the same time and contributed to getting ever closer to the project goal, the turnkey handover.
If you are still looking for a holiday home in Andermatt, you can find further information here:

© Photos: Valentin Luthiger

Annette Näher, Head of Human Resources, reports about staff development at Ganter:

Everything for and nothing without the employees
Since the establishment in 1995 of a two-man operation, Ganter has become one of the world’s leading companies in the field of first-class construction. Up until three years ago, the focus was still in the field of shop fitting and interior design; today, with over 400 employees worldwide, we implement complete project management from planning, through to construction and development and the operation of properties. Working at Ganter Group means variety and responsibility in a globally orientated familyowned enterprise with a contemporary approach to management.

Learning from one other for a common goal
Without the best-trained and highly motivated employees, such a company development would not have been possible. In order to continue to have a positive influence on this in the future, we permanently invest in internal personnel development. In addition to further training, continuous knowledge transfer also plays a major role – well beyond team borders and across national frontiers. For us, it is all about igniting a permanent and lively exchange of views on “Best Practice”. To this end, we see learning as contributing to a promising, joint future – something from which our customers are the very first to benefit. The Ganter Academy is also committed to this idea of a communal learning at all levels and across all levels. Under the motto “promotion from inside” we consistently recruit employees internally for professional and managerial careers and for management and leadership positions. In the past year, we have also significantly revised our internal staff development and aligned it on the basis of new market requirements. As a result, globally consistent job profiles have been created that are associated with a competency management system. The purpose of such a global and structured staff development programme is to identify and offer the appropriate development measures for each of our employees based on a uniform understanding of roles, responsibilities and clearly defined objectives.
In addition, we have got a transformation program called “Empowerment” up and running with a view to supporting international development and the expansion of the business fields. In this way, among other things, we want to ensure that all employees feel themselves to be part of the global business development and share in the same international understanding of what we do, who we are and what we stand for. This overarching Ganter philosophy is probably best summed up as such: We give the visions of our international customers the room to become reality, and we bring ideas to life all around the globe.

Respect, Accountability and Connectivity
We offer our employees demanding projects, flat hierarchies and fast decisions. We also help them to develop their very individual strengths and to work in the area of responsibility that suits them best and makes them happy. After all, only employers that offer fair and secure working conditions, know their employees personally, and support and inspire them can reap the rewards of a highly motivated, proficient and innovative
team.
The global Ganter basic values and thus the cornerstones of our corporate culture are therefore: “Respect, Accountability and Connectivity”. This trusting interaction across all hierarchies is, in our opinion, the key requirement for discovering, promoting and utilising people’s talents. And all those who sign up to these goals, will inevitably understand management as an interactive and dialogue-oriented process. We will continue to pursue this strategy in terms of human resources, with a consistent staff development strategy aimed at the realisation of the Ganter philosophy and the maintenance of a trusting, creative and healthy corporate culture. The foundations for this have already been laid, but it is now time to continue to pursue this approach and thereby to keep an eye on market requirements and customer needs.

You will find further informations on our pages “Career” and “Working at Ganter”.

Annette Näher, a native of Freiburg, studied at the Co-operative State University in Villingen-Schwenningen. As a graduate in business management and personnel specialist, she got to know the Human Resources area from the ground upwards. While to start with, she was involved in staffing and payroll matters, she soon took over training management and was employed as a personnel officer until she finally took over the management of her personnel department. After nine years in the automotive industry, she moved to Ganter in 2014. Her coaching training is also coming to bear here. Annette Näher sits on a voluntary basis at the Labour Court in Freiburg and is part of the audit committee of the Co-operative State University in Villingen-Schwenningen, where she works in the area of controlling and consulting.

An interview with Christian Gmyrek (Business Unit Manager, Facility Management):

What exactly does Facility Management at Ganter entail and to whom is it offered?

The Ganter Group is active in the business fields of retail, commercial and residential. In all three – that is, for commercial customers, customers from the public sector and private customers – we not only build but also operate buildings upon request. We also offer facility management services for properties whose construction or interior fit-out we were not involved with. In particular, this means: We advise on and take on assignments concerning the property, perform maintenance works on technical facilities and inspect and service buildings. This also includes the maintenance of green areas, cleaning services or janitorial services and, of course, we advise our customers even in the area of energy management.

What is the advantage of handing over facility management to Ganter?

An example: A person has installed technical systems in his store or office, for example air conditioners, fire alarms, automatic doors, security lighting, fire extinguishers, and much more. As the operator of the equipment and as an employer, he or she must now observe a number of regulations. To name but two, workplace directives and the Retail Premises Directive come to mind. Depending on the federal state in question and technical installation itself, various maintenance tasks and tests must be carried out on a regular basis. And this is where the advantage comes into play: Ganter is familiar not only with the technical installations, but also knows all the ordinances and regulations. We keep an eye on all of these for the customer, who can then concentrate fully on their day-to-day business. The technical installations are maintained, tested and legally documented.
In buildings in whose construction or development we were in any case already involved, we ensure perfect knowledge transfer from the outset. In this way, all the essential information on the building and the installed equipment is passed to us directly by the construction planners and managers. From this moment on, we manage all the important data and documentation, inspection intervals, maintenance records, plans and operating instructions for our clients. We even keep a store of the most important spare parts. We are thus able to ensure that systems run as trouble-free as possible, and that should a repair be necessary, everything is immediately at hand. This saves time and money.
When a client needs to notify Ganter of a fault or a supplementary order, the reporting portal is available for this purpose. There, all concerns can be easily entered online; these then reach us immediately and without a burdensome telephone conversation. The customer can also track the status changes of his message and see in good time when a workman announces himself. The received messages are evaluated by us, so that we can create up-to-date statistics and possibly draw conclusions for future measures and facilities concerning the nature and frequency of the fault and any subsequent maintenance costs. Such professional facility management is not only worthwhile for commercial or public building operators; we also advise private clients in the choice of their ideal equipment. In doing so, we get an overview of the later management costs during the construction phase. Furthermore, sensible maintenance, care and maintenance of a property after completion of construction prevents unpleasant surprises and unexpected costs. Professional facility management therefore helps to retain the value of a property even for private persons.

Would it not be cheaper for the client to take of the facility management for themselves?

No. For the customer, it would mean that the time taken up by the operation of their building would regularly impinge on the day-to-day business or that staff would have to be made available. And even the private property owner would have to go to the trouble of learning the ropes. Because irregular and careless facility management carries considerable risks. Anyone who misses maintenance intervals, recognizes any hazards to life and limb (due to errors in the electrical installation, heating fault, CO, etc.) at too late a stage and it is not uncommon for them to lose their warranty. Also, a property that is not maintained swiftly loses value. Our goal, therefore, is to work “in the background” for the clients so that they can concentrate on their core business. To this end, we provide tailor-made solutions that make sense and remain financially viable.

Who works in Ganter Facility Management?

Our team includes master electricians and building engineers from Germany, Great Britain and Italy. We are all “old hands” in the field of facility management and have supported numerous and very different clients, from small and medium- sized enterprises to large industrial companies or retailers. An employee in facility management must be able to quickly identify customer requirements, concerns or needs and develop solutions or proposals sensibly and with understanding. This is often a very small-scale matter, but one which is very important for our clients.

How does a co-operation with Ganter Facility Management get started?

We often take on properties in whose construction, development or interior fit-out Ganter had already been involved. We already know such properties like the backs of our hands and the facility management was part of the overall offer. However, we also take on buildings which are already in operation. In this case, we use personal conversations to work out which services the client wants or whether weaknesses exist in the area of operator responsibility. Based on this information, we then create an individual offer. Because an “All Inclusive” offer is not necessarily the right thing, and we are interested in long-term contracts and a trusting collaboration with our clients.

Christian Gmyrek comes from the Esslingen area near Stuttgart. He is a qualified carpenter and certified building engineer. In his career he has been, among other things, employed as a technical director and as an authorised representative in a building technology company. At Ganter, Christian Gmyrek has headed up the Facility Management Teams in Germany and Italy since 2017.

An Interview with Klaus Schweizer (Managing Director, Ganter Property Development GmbH):

What is the task of the Ganter Property Development GmbH (GPD)?
The GPD is a further important building block in the Ganter competence network and thus therefore concludes the entire value chain of the Ganter Group as a modern construction and property service provider. We develop and market sophisticated real estate projects that keep up with the times. We create value and quality in close collaboration with sophisticated and contemporary architecture and we manage the interface between design and implementation in the property sector.

What do you see as the biggest challenge for the newly founded GPD?
This certainly lies in acquiring the right property, developing an economically sustainable concept in the context of a demanding construction culture and presenting a tailor-made financing model with the appropriate partners. Where do particular opportunities lie? The good name of Ganter carries weight. For this reason, we would like first to build up our position in the region where the Ganter Interior brand is already well established as an international player with long-standing experience in the implementation of projects. From here, right from the outset we will then self-confidently and professionally position GPD as a newcomer to the competition. What fundamental claims can GPD make in terms of the implementation of construction projects? It‘s all about generating constantly high quality in terms of design and implementation – a bit like the old adage: good planning is half the battle. In this, one of the unique features are the perfect balance between economic benefits, an authentic construction culture of courageous individuality. We are able to benefit from many years of project work for international and demanding lifestyle brands.

You come from an interior design background – what role does that play today?
These days, people increasingly define themselves and their lifestyle by brands, labels and design and by their belonging to a particular style direction. In previous years, this significantly and positively influenced the design of buildings and the design of living spaces. Successful and stylistically sophisticated interior design conveys a clear message and attitude, with which users and visitors of a building can identify. Just like in fashion, many people would like to express themselves and position themselves in society by means of their own style. Interior Design therefore has an important role to play in property development – to offer people a pleasant spatial experience, in which, for example, they can work happily, have surprisingly new ideas or feel secure and in safe hands.

What changes do you see coming in the future in your sector?
I am convinced that in the future real estate products will increasingly have to become brands, in order to legitimise and implement themselves in a society which is permanently changed. In the ideal case, it will be possible to gain a fan base, who will aid projects by lending greater visibility in the social networks. I therefore view an intense and profound dialogue between all those involved in the property project, to which the marketing department also contributes from the outset, as being essential in the future. Only in this way can the goal of a real identification of the user with the property be achieved.

Will further societal changes play a role?
Yes, of course. In particular, the situation of the urban living space affects us. Even if this varies from region to region, overall the demand for urban or semi urban residential space is on the increase, which is currently especially articulated by ever higher sale prices. And the need for age-appropriate properties is increasing with the demographic development. One answer to these challenges will be integrated and intelligent concepts, which will bring us back into the game.
In the property industry, as was previously the similar case in mobility, the „Service Experience“ has an increasingly large and crucial role to play.

Can you explain in more detail what you understand by an intelligent concept?
Well, for example properties with individual service and care services will be under ever greater demand in the future. In the Black Forest, GPD is currently developing an innovative living concept for safe and worry-free living in old-age. The ensemble in Breitnau offers living with service, assisted living, a care home with a day café, medical practice, physiotherapy and a holiday village nestled into nature. All the apartments are barrier-free, fitted out to a high standard, feature spacious terraces or balconies and offer a variety of service and care services on request. The potential older customers for such living concepts today are self-confident and self-determined, versatile, sophisticated and design savvy. As a result, modern architecture and a contemporary interior concept also play an increasingly important role.

In your opinion, what roles will new technologies play in the real estate of the future?
When talking about this, there can be no doubt that building digitisation has to get first mention. And in this, in my opinion, the most important thing is having the right amount. I like to call it „high-tech downsizing“ – our task will be to select the appropriate system from the enormous variety of technical possibilities and to equip the property accordingly. We also see great opportunities in so-called „Building Information Management” (BIM). In this case, the entire value chain of a property is anticipated digitally with a view to optimising costs and processes. In all this, as a start-up we are still at the very beginning and are therefore working with external partners who are able to fall back on specific experiences in this area.

Tell us a bit more about GPD‘s current plans?
Gladly, we are continuing especially to develop ever more interesting projects and are always on the lookout for new properties or sites. Alongside Sonnenhöhe in Breitnau and Lake Residence in Überlingen near Lake Constance, GPD is currently working on an interesting concept for holiday homes and apartments in Herrischried in the Black Forest. As well as this, we are also dealing with hotels and resorts on Lake Schluchsee and Lake Titisee. And we are also engaged in the evaluation of further opportunities for apartments on Lake Constance.

Hailing from North Baden, following his carpentry apprenticeship Klaus Schweizer studied interior design. After holding positions in Berlin and southern Germany, the graduate engineer came to Ganter, where, since 2005, he has held various functions, including Senior Project Manager, Head of Construction, Head of Sales and has been a member of the Executive Board. He has won clients such as Apple, Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Longchamp, Victoria’s Secret and various architectural offices for Ganter and has been responsible for numerous large-scale projects in the areas of commercial and residential business. Furthermore, he was also responsible for Ganter’s trade fair appearances at EuroShop. Since August 2016, he has been Managing director of Ganter Property Development GmbH.

In today’s world of work and business, an ever greater number of tasks are focussed on fewer and fewer heads. So that our retail customers can still concentrate on their core business, the Ganter Product Design & Procurement (PDP) team takes care of the many, very decisive “little things”: Whether a modular furniture concept or tray, decorative element, goods carrier or a clever packaging – we develop and produce everything in order to properly set the scene for our clients’ products. Industrial serial production is now also part of the repertoire, whereby we have even acquired clients who have nothing to do with Ganter’s other fields of business. In this way, some clients from the hairdressing industry have been benefiting from our product development for some years now; whether a plastic bowl or measuring cup, brush or towel – anything is possible.
We started off 18 years ago with the development of individual presentation aids, which were then produced by our Shanghai subsidiary. In the meantime, the range of services has, however, gradually expanded meaning that we are now able to accompany our customers over the entire life cycle of a product, from design through to eventual recycling. In the past, enquiries were often only made of us if some support was required for the production of presentation products. Because the design was already in place at this point in time, the result was an enormous cost pressure and our room for manoeuvre was correspondingly small. Because, even if there is something still to be optimised on the cost side by means of value engineering, the design still defines the rough framework.
Today, on the other hand, the cooperation with our Clients often commences much sooner: For example, we now offer not only the production, but also the product design, which allows us to present drafts, which take cost factors into account from the outset, for example in the choice of materials. In this way, it is possible for us to exactly meet both the client’s design ideas and their budget. Our intercultural team is made up of industrial designers, graphic designers and constructors, and of specialists in purchasing, implementation and development. From the first idea to the finished product, we are thus able to offer the client a complete service, whereby it is left to them whether to take the “whole package” or only individual services.
One milestone for us in 2017 was the commission from Thule: We developed a modular presentation system for this international manufacturer of transportation equipment, which is freely scalable and expandable. These goods carriers are suitable for the professional and appealing presentation of a wide variety of products – both with smaller retail partners and in the large, 300 m² Thule store. From the concept development onwards, we were responsible for all manufacturing steps, even for the worldwide production of the furniture system, the planning and visualisation of the shops and for the subsequent implementation. The System is also continuously optimised and expanded. Thule is just one of the many clients who appreciate our comprehensive product understanding. This is why we receive accordingly comprehensive orders from, for example, Davidoff and Coty. In particular with Coty, for many years, in collaborative partnership, we have assumed the design, implementation, global series production and delivery of hairdressing products. We have no doubt that in the future our Approach and experience in design and implementation will continue to impress. For this reason, we are looking forward to the coming year and are curious to see what it holds for us!

Jörn Dallmann (Business Team Manager Retail/Product Development)

Jörn Dallmann, from Baden-Württemberg, is a trained carpenter and also holds a degree in business economics and product design (University Diploma as Industrial Designer). Following various professional positions in Germany and abroad (Australia and New Zealand) and after many years of successful self-employment, he came to Ganter at the end of 2014, where he has held various functions, including Head of Visual Element and as a Team Leader. Since 2018, he has been responsible for the deepening and further development of product design and procurement.

The Ganter Group and ‚Andermatt Swiss Alps AG (CH)‘ founded a joint venture to build the apartment house Alpenrose in Andermatt, Switzerland. With this joint venture, the vision of Andermatt Swiss Alps will be combined with the experience and competence of the Ganter Group.
The Alpenrose apartments are located in a prime location in the car-free ‘Andermatt Swiss Alps’ resort, right on an attractive central piazza featuring first-class restaurants and shopping. The lavishly designed facade, inspired by Alpine-style chalets, and the open arcades allow the building to fit in harmoniously with the resort’s  overall architecture. Enjoy a hot chocolate by the warmth of the crackling fire or the view of the surrounding peaks in your new, luxuriously appointed alpine suite. After a day on the slopes, you’ll appreciate the convenience, peace and comfort of your fully equipped holiday flat. The apartments are the perfect size and attractively furnished. The interior decor of the apartments sets new benchmarks and meets the highest standards in the materials used and the design.
For this project, Ganter works as a general contractor. The specialists from the Black Forest do not only build the whole house, but also take care of the interior fit out and the furniture of Alpenrose. Michael Ganter, owner of the Ganter Group comments “the concept of Andermatt Swiss Alps AG convinced us completely, we are happy to contribute our experience and our skills in the high-class segment to this project”.
The laying of the foundation stone and the official start of sales is on April 21st 2017. If you are interested in one of the apartments please feel free to contact us for further information or visit www.andermatt-alpenrose.ch.