Gruner Group 2014 - Living the Vision

GRUNER GROUP 2014

LIVING THE VISION

EDITORIAL 4RANGE OF EXPERTISE 6

ENERGY 8BUILDING SERVICES 10GENERAL PLANNING 12STRUCTURAL DESIGN 14CIVIL ENGINEERING 16ENVIRONMENT, SAFETY 18INTERNATIONAL 20

RESEARCH AND TEACHING 22STAFF DEVELOPMENT 24CORPORATE BODIES AND STATISTICS 26OUTLOOK 28ADDRESSES 30

CONTENTS

GRUNER GROUP 2014

Publishing details2014 Gruner Group Annual Publication

> Address Gellertstrasse 55 CH-4020 Basel

> Editor Marketing and Communications Gruner Ltd

> Design Brenneisen Theiss Communications Basel

> Photos Friedel Ammann, Basel Ralph Bensberg, Zurich Lilli Kehl, Basel Manfred Richter, Reinach

INSPIRATION FOR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE.INNOVATION FOR THE WORLD OF TOMORROW.

THE UNIFORM BRAND IMAGE STRENGTHENS US AS A GROUP AND FOSTERS SOLIDARITY BOTH IN AND OUT-SIDE GRUNER.

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Flavio Casanova CEO Gruner Group

Thomas Ernst Chairman of the Board of Directors

DEAR READER

The Gruner Group has grown considerably over the past few years. On top of our organic expansion, we have also welcomed several new member companies. The most recent of these, Stucky Ltd along with its various sub-sidiaries, is a global player in the hydropower sector. With the aim of tailoring our services more closely to the future needs of the mar-ket, we adopted a new organizational struc-ture as from January 1, 2014, featuring an enlarged Executive Committee with nine in-stead of five members.

INNOVATIVE – FOR THE WORLD OF TOMORROWGruner's success is driven by 1,059 qualified and highly motivated employees with back-grounds in over 50 different professions. They embody our forward-looking service portfolio and develop customized solutions every day. Our experts are entrusted with ever more challenging projects by both public- and pri-vate-sector clients, in Switzerland and abroad.

INSPIRATIONAL – FOR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCEAs a means of fostering excellence, we offer our employees a highly stimulating environ-ment in which they can fully realize their po-tential. Key factors here include the emphasis on interdisciplinary teamwork and the numer-ous opportunities for professional develop-ment. Gruner's customers benefit from the outstanding skills and strong client orienta-tion of its professionals. The company also cultivates long-term partnerships with univer-sities and other higher education institutions so as to help enhance professional standards in civil and structural engineering.

GRUNER – A STRONG BRANDThe Gruner Group is the result of an evolu-tion, customer focus and interdisciplinary ex-pertise are our strengths. This strength is now expressed by the uniform Gruner brand identity under which the Group has been op-erating since the start of April.

Thomas Ernst Flavio Casanova

EDITORIAL

6 GRUNER GROUP 2014

Specialist know-how, the wealth of experience contrib-uted by our employees and a commitment to interdisci-plinary teamwork are the key to the success of your projects. Gruner will act as your expert partner, from strategic planning through to facility management.

As a leading service provider, we offer our custom-ers a broad spectrum of expertise.We deliver innovative, custom-developed solutions for complex construction projects, both in Switzer-land and across the globe.

RANGE OF EXPERTISE

INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO COMPLEX CHALLENGES

INNOVATIVE INTERDISCIPLINARY

SOLUTIONS

DIVERSE COMPLEX REQUIREMENTS

MANAGEMENT

COMMUNICATION

OUTLINE PROPOSA

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RÜCHLIG POWER STATION, AARAU. REFURBISHMENT.

GLATTAL VIADUCT, HERISAU, AND WEISSENBACHVIADUCT, DEGERSHEIM. MAINTENANCE.

SÜDPARK, BASEL. NEWBUILD.

Various modernization and extension works when the concession for Rüchlig power sta-tion was renewed. Gruner was commis-sioned by Axpo Power AG to handle the struc-tural design, including basement-retaining structures, across several project stages.

For the major "Cluster 2012" project to main-tain the rail link between Herisau and Lichten-steig, rail company Schweizerische Südost-bahn AG (SOB) entrusted Gruner with the rehabilitation of the Glattal and Weissenbach viaducts. (Pictured: Glattal viaduct after com-pletion of waterproofing works)

The new-build SüdPark development in Basel now houses office/service facilities and a data center belonging to the Basler Kantonal-bank. Here, Gruner was appointed specialist designer for the heating, ventilation, refrigeration and sanitary systems, and as techni-cal coordinator for the entire building services package.

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8 GRUNER GROUP 2014

ENERGY

Gruner, with the group company Stucky Ltd, is currently working on a variety of challenging hydropower projects in Switzerland and abroad. In Switzerland, our engineers are active at the construction sites of the country's two largest pumped-storage plants. Our international activities – which range from feasibility studies to on-site supervision – span numerous projects in south-eastern Europe, the Middle East, India, Southeast Asia and Africa.

WITH FORESIGHT AND FLEXIBILITY

Muttsee dam, Glarus Alps, Switzerland.

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CONSTRUCTION OF EUROPE'S LON-GEST DAM NEARS COMPLETIONThe Muttsee dam in the Glarus Alps will re-tain the upper reservoir of the new 1,000-MW "Linthal 2015" pumped-storage hydro-power plant. Built from 68 concrete blocks, the 1,050 m gravity wall will be one of the longest in Europe. Acting as part of an engi-neering consortium, Stucky Ltd was appoint-ed to design this exceptional structure and supervise the on-site works.

DAM HEIGHTENING DOUBLES RESER-VOIR CAPACITYThe aim of the project is to increase the ca-pacity of the upper reservoir for the new Nant de Drance pumped-storage hydropower plant in the Canton of Valais. Raising the 1954-built Vieux Emosson arch dam by 21.5 to 76.5 m will double the volume of the impounded wa-ter and thus improve operational flexibility. The heightening project also entails a change in the structure type – from a single-curvature

arch-gravity dam to a double-curvature arch dam. Construction work started in 2012 and is scheduled for completion in spring 2015.

ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE IN POLITI-CALLY UNSTABLE REGIONThe Inguri hydropower cascade with the downstream Vardnili 1–4 hydropower plants in north-western Georgia, which once covered approx. 40% of the country's electricity de-mand, came into service in the late 1970s and early 1980s. With an installed capacity of 220 MW, the Vardnili 1 plant is currently the only one of the four downstream facilities still in operation. The Vardnili 2, 3 and 4 plants, each with a capacity of 40 MW, were canni-balized during the Abkhazian war in the early 1990s and have been shut down since that time. Funded by loans from the European development banks, the rehabilitation of Vard-nili 1 has been in progress since 2011 under the supervision of our engineers in Switzer-land and on-site staff in Georgia.

Vieux Emosson arch dam, Switzerland.

Vardnili 1 hydropower plant, Georgia.

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BUILDING SERVICES

SELECTIVE INNOVATION FOR THE ENERGY REVOLUTION

Berne city theater.

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Gruner's engineers develop complex solutions to increase the sustainability of our energy supply at all levels – for both pub-lic- and private-sector clients, on new-build and refurbishment projects. Whatever the challenge, we mastermind perfectly integrated concepts that fully address the economic and eco-logical realities.

BUILDING SERVICES WITH A 100-YEAR TRACK RECORDCompleted in 1903, Berne's city theater at Kornhausplatz is currently in the ownership of the civic authorities. Measures are now planned to address the severe maintenance backlog and optimize the operational perfor-mance of the facility.

For the upgrade to the building's complex M&E installations, accumulated over the de-cades, our engineers were mandated to han-dle the heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration design, and coordinate the overall services package.

Gruner is working closely with owners, users, architects and other specialists to develop perfectly tailored solutions. The focus is on energy optimization, efficient air-conditioning and cooling, and active fire protection.

A key challenge consists in adapting the build-ing services systems to the spatial and acous-tic requirements of the sound studios, record-ing rooms and rehearsal facilities.

GROUNDBREAKING CHP STATIONThe 14-year-old wood-fired district heating system operated by Thermoréseau-Porren-truy SA provides over 300 customers in Por-rentruy with CO2-neutral heat.

A second wood-fired station for combined heat and power (CHP) generation is now planned. The plant will cover 16.5% of Porren-truy's electricity demand while supplying heat to a total of 490 buildings.

Gruner was commissioned to realize this chal-lenging project in the role of general planner.

ECO-FRIENDLY GEOTHERMAL ENERGY SUPPLYThe new laboratory building at Balgrist Uni-versity Hospital in Zurich is set to become a pioneering center for teaching, research and development in the field of musculoskeletal science.

The project was designed by Basel-based Nissen Wentzlaff Architects, with the building services input provided by Gruner's engi-neers. The total 6,500 m2 of floorspace is spread over three floors – one office and two laboratory levels. Geothermal energy, extracted via a downhole heat exchanger array, is the main heating and cooling source. Energy demand is minimized by the sophisticated management of the heat exchanger array.

The floorspace is heated and cooled by means of a thermally activated building ele-ment system (TABS), which uses the con-crete floor slabs as a heat sink. The building is also equipped with a central ventilation sys-tem with runaround-loop heat recovery to guarantee the high air change rates needed for the laboratory spaces.

MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY IN SWITZER-LAND'S TALLEST BUILDING The new Roche office high-rise, designed by Herzog & de Meuron, has transported the ar-chitectural logic of the site into a new dimen-sion while adding a new landmark to the Ba-sel cityscape.

High flexibility, ideal working conditions and maximum cost-efficiency were the basic re-quirements placed on the building and its ser-vices installations.

Our electrical, control and monitoring techni-cians are responsible for piecing together the building's electrical and electronic elements into a smooth-running integral assembly. The incorporated state-of-the-art technologies in-clude LED lighting, constant light control, and special safety and security provision for high-rises.

Thermoréseau-Porrentruy wood-fired heating station. Laboratory building at Balgrist University Hospital.

Roche high-rise, Basel. Visualization: Herzog & de Meuron Architekten AG, Basel


GENERAL PLANNING

EXPERT INTERDISCIPLINARY DESIGN

As general planner, Gruner can draw on a broad base of expertise and years of engineering experience to ensure the successful, start-to-finish design and management of your project. Thanks to the in-depth know-how of our workforce, we are excellently equipped to deliver solutions to even the most complex and specialized challenges.

DESIGN OF SWITZERLAND'S BIGGEST BUILDING PROJECT"The Circle at Zurich Airport" is a once-in-a- lifetime project that excels by its sheer mag-nitude, distinctive mix of uses and unparal-leled urban architecture. Having set up the design company "under construction ag" in partnership with Sulzer+Buzzi Baumanage-ment AG, Gruner acts as general planner, with full responsibility for the design develop-ment process. The Gruner team collaborated closely with the Japanese architect Riken Ya-mamoto in perfecting the architectural con-

"The Circle", Zurich Airport.


cept. The unique alleys and plazas between crisply defined building volumes are protect-ed from the weather by a glass roof.

MODERNIZATION OF GROSSE BÜHNE THEATER AT GOETHEANUMBuilt in 1928, the Goetheanum at Dornach near Basel is the seat of the General Anthro-posophical Society. The building complex in-cludes the Grosse Bühne theater with a 1,100-seat auditorium. Although the theater has undergone various modernizations and alterations during its 90-year-plus history, its

basic structure has remained unchanged. 2014 will now see a full-scale overhaul of the stage systems by that Hamburg GmbH. In the role of coordinator, Gruner's General Plan-ning Division is supervising the implementa-tion of this intriguing project.

EXCLUSIVE ARCHITECTURE IN HÜGLI-PARKIn our capacity as general planner, we support concept architects in the realization of innova-tive projects. The new-build development comprising five two-family houses plus in-door car park at the "Im Hügliacker" site in Binningen is a prime example. The hexago-nal-plan buildings were positioned so as to create attractive open spaces between the buildings. Conservatories offer a flowing tran-sition between living space and parkland sur-rounds.

TURNING OLD INTO NEW – REFUR-BISHMENT OF OCCUPIED HOMESInsurer Helvetia Versicherungen commis-sioned Gruner to oversee the wholesale re-furbishment of its 1979-built, 42-unit residen-tial property plus indoor car park at Sissach. Preparation of the refurbishment concept was preceded by a detailed condition survey and cost appraisal involving all specialist de-signers. Gruner then superintended the de-sign of the necessary works and the bidding process for all construction trades. The final step involved on-site execution of the renova-tion works in two phases.

Apart from deadline and cost control, the res-ident site supervisor played a pivotal role in ensuring the successful completion of the project. Not only was it important to coordi-nate the various contractors, it was also cru-cial to provide round-the-clock support for the tenants, who remained in their homes throughout the site operations.

"WE ARE DELIGHTED BY THE CAPABLE AND UNCOMPLICATED WAY THAT GRUNER INCORPORATED A SUPPLEMENTARY TEAM OFDESIGN SPECIALISTS WITH ALL THE NECESSARY KNOW-HOW INTO THE PROJECT. GRUNER HAS BEEN ABLE TO SUPPLY QUALIFIED EXPERTS FROM WITHIN THE GROUP TO MEET ALL THE TECHNICAL AND ENGINEER-ING CHALLENGES POSED BY THE PROJECT."

Martin Zweifel Head of Building Administration at Goetheanum

"Im Hüglipark" site, Binningen.

Refurbishment concept, Sissach.

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Goetheanum, Dornach.


Pratteln 2 logistics center for Planzer Transport AG, high-bay warehouse.

SOLUTION-ORIENTED, FLEXIBLE AND UNCONVENTIONAL

STRUCTURAL DESIGN


Based on extensive consulting, our structural design services deliver intelligent solutions that bring to life the visions of our clients.

COMPLEX, INNOVATIVE DEVELOP-MENTSThe construction of major industrial, produc-tion and logistics facilities poses significant challenges. The structural systems adopted for large complex buildings with a diversity of occupancies and interior arrangements typi-cally feature wide-spanning members along with suitable provision for high and some-times heavily concentrated loads. The re-quired integration of building services in the structure frequently necessitates an uncon-ventional approach. Advanced building sys-tems using innovative slab assemblies and industrially produced, high-strength precast columns have paved the way for substantial weight and material savings that vastly in-crease the cost-effectiveness of these proj-ects.

DESIGN OPTIMIZATION THROUGH VISUALIZATIONBroad-based expertise, underpinned by pro-fessional project management, is crucial to the design of large-scale facilities. The task of reconciling diverse client requirements while simultaneously accommodating the demands of the other design disciplines is becoming ever more complex. Building-oriented 3-D models facilitate interdisciplinary collabora-tion across the entire project team and allow the prompt recognition of any problems relat-ing to tolerance and fit. Moreover, the use of detailed visualization techniques and geomet-rical definitions significantly cuts time and cost at all levels. Alternatives and amend-ments to the structural systems and con-struction drawings can be swiftly processed using the 3-D design tools. All this helps our structural design portfolio to set new stan-dards in terms of efficiency, performance and user-friendliness.

REFURBISHMENT AND ALTERATION IN SENSITIVE ENVIRONMENTSIt is the task of architects, general planners and design-and-build contractors to address the many different aspects of quality, struc-tural safety, earthquake resistance, service-ability and durability. Projects to refurbish ag-ing properties and/or convert them into office, commercial or residential accommodation provide Gruner with a prime opportunity to showcase its engineering credentials. Special services typically needed at inner-city loca-tions include the phasing of operations, the extensive temporary measures associated with this, and their adaptation to often con-strained and sensitive urban sites.

Full refurbishment of Haus zur Enge to house FIFA Museum, Zurich. Visualization: © SAM Architekten, Zurich

Redevelopment at Freie Strasse 47, Basel.

New-build Staldenbach quarter, Pfäffikon, Canton of Schwyz. Visualization: © 720° Architekten, Altendorf

New-build Pratteln 2 logistics center for Planzer Transport AG.

NEW DESIGN MANDATE AT GOTTHARDThe Gruner Group is proud of its major contri-bution to the successful design and construc-tion of the Gotthard base tunnel, which is due to open in 2016. In a sequel to this success story, Gruner last year managed to clinch the design mandate for the second road tunnel tube, as part of a consortium that is practically identical to that for the rail tunnel.

CIVIL ENGINEERING

EXPERTISE IN BREADTH AND DEPTH

The Gruner Group's civil engineering projects impres-sively underscore its leadership role in the field of con-struction. Drawing on a comprehensive design service portfolio, we are well equipped to tackle all the challeng-es of modern-day practice. Our professionals offer the necessary breadth and depth of expertise to realize the fascinating and highly demanding projects needed for the future.


Gotthard base tunnel.


UNDERPASS COMBINING THREE DIF-FERENT CONSTRUCTION METHODS A new public transport link between the mu-nicipality of Cham and the city of Zug in cen-tral Switzerland passes through the "Sumpf" area of Steinhausen. Built in extremely diffi-cult soil conditions and below the water table, the new bus route among other things neces-sitated the use of divers. The main structure along the route is a single-lane underpass beneath the Zug–Affoltern–Zurich rail line. In all, the underpass is 231 m long and 6.5 m wide, with 5 m headroom. Three different construction methods were needed to com-plete the works on the constricted site. On the built-up side of the track, the excavation was retained by sheet-pile walling stabilized, in turn, by a preinstalled jet-grouted base. The top-down (pre-deck) method was used for the track area so as to minimize disruption to rail services. On the undeveloped side of the track, conventional strutting in up to three rows was used as earthwork support. The works are now at an advanced stage.

Underpass below rail line for Cham–Zug bus route.

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Bridge refurbishment at Brüttisellen interchange (N01/42 freeways).

The new public bus route is scheduled to come into service by mid-2014.

EFFICIENT CONSTRUCTION WITH STANDARD PROCEDURESThe maintenance of underground structures is a key task for the Rhätische Bahn rail com-pany on account of the 115 tunnels on its net-work. As most of these were built between 1901 and 1914, they nearly all need simulta-neous rehabilitation. To minimize disruption to rail operations while maximizing cost-effec-tiveness, a standard method is to be adopted for the works. A team of Gruner Group engi-neers is currently involved in a pilot project to develop a procedure based on the installation of prefabricated units, which is being tested in practice in the Glatscheras tunnel. Con-struction work is due to start before the end of 2014, with completion scheduled for 2016.

BRIDGE REHABILITATION WITHOUT ROAD CLOSURE2012 saw work commence at the Brüttisellen freeway interchange on the rehabilitation and raising of four composite reinforced-concrete bridges (183 m and 85 m in length). Major dif-ferential settlement had set up considerable stresses in the bridge superstructure. This meant raising the bridges by up to 15 cm, which in turn entailed extensive carriageway works. The bridge rehabilitation also included the systematic modification and strengthen-ing of the steelwork so as to improve structur-al stability in line with current standards. The final project phase, to be completed in 2014, will involve the renewal of the anticorrosion finishes. The design and site supervision were handled by the GWBP consortium, in which the Gruner Group acts as lead manag-er. Two-lane traffic flows are being maintained in either direction throughout the construc-tion period. With daily traffic volumes of around 130,000 vehicles, this has proved a challenging task.


Environmental and safety issues are gaining increasing importance in the construction sector. Gruner's pro-found expertise, long track record and interdisciplinary approach offer the key to solving complex and highly specific problems.

EXPERT SUPPORT FOR NEW BASEL EXHIBITION CENTER COMPLEXThe new hall complex designed by Basel ar-chitects Herzog & de Meuron houses approx. 38,000 m2 exhibition, events and catering space. The wide-ranging environment and safety services provided by the Gruner Group made a major contribution to the design, con-struction and commissioning of the exhibition center extension. The new building, with its enhanced functional requirements in terms of acoustics, safety and fire protection, perfectly illustrates the paramount importance of spe-cial services and expertise for the success of complex projects of this kind.

For the events venue, Gruner developed an efficient soundproofing concept: here, the cavity in the double-skin building envelope combines with a movable internal partition and the glass facade to form a sound insula-tion system. The fire safety concept devel-oped by our fire engineers during the design phase played a valuable role in obtaining the building permit. Gruner also oversaw the proper implementation and commissioning of the fire safety measures within the context of the statutory quality assurance mandate. In addition to a basic risk analysis for all parts of the new complex, the services provided by our safety/hazard engineering experts includ-ed the preparation of a security concept.

CREATING A SECURE FRAMEWORK FOR PLANNINGAn approx. 1,000 m bypass (including 527 m cut-and-cover tunneling) plus rail underpass are planned for Bad Zurzach to relieve the town's historic center. The road runs through

ENVIRONMENT, SAFETY

NEAT SOLUTIONS TO COMPLEX PROBLEMS

MCH Group, new building at Exhibition Center Basel.


a nature reserve on the fringes of the town and also has to be covered over in the built-up areas. Measures were needed to reconcile the conflicting demands and minimize the distur-bance, disruption and environmental impacts resulting from the prolonged construction ac-tivity in an urban environment. Apart from typical traffic impacts (air and noise pollution), the avoidance of fragmentation is a key issue due to the need to preserve links with the surrounding countryside for both the local population (recreation) and animals (amphibi-an migration corridor). Capitalizing on its wide-ranging services in the fields of environ-ment, safety, and interdisciplinary teamwork, Gruner was able to provide its client, the Can-ton of Aargau Public Works Department, with valuable background documents. These in-cluded an environmental impact assessment for both the general project and the plans for public display, along with proposals for the ecological mitigation and compensation mea-sures. Ecological mitigation and compensation measures reduce the impact of the bypass project.

INTERNATIONAL

GLOBAL PLANNING CERTAINTY FOR BUILDING AND INDUSTRY


Swiss Green Tower, Changzhou, China.

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Are you already a global player or are you set to participate in an international construction project? The framework and procedures for projects abroad often vary significantly from those in Switzerland. The different standards and regulations, compounded by linguistic and cultural obstacles, demand the utmost flexibility. Our long track record on the international stage make us the partner of choice for your projects.

EXPERT SUPPORT FROM START TO FINISHOur project management team can provide advice even at the initial study stage. We will help you to formulate the brief and define the subsequent design steps needed to ensure the clear-sighted development and realization of your project. In a direct and transparent di-alog, we will partner you in tackling the com-plex tasks. Despite all the technical and finan-cial challenges, however, we must not forget that projects should also be a source of plea-sure. Though we may not always be entirely successful, the high customer satisfaction shows that we are on the right track with our services and basic corporate philosophy. Apart from handling design mandates, we also support our clients in the role of expert consultant and checking engineer. Here, we either perform a quality assurance function or

provide objective, professional assessments in the event of claims or defects. Last year, the many global locations where we applied our expertise included Slovakia, Sri Lanka, In-dia, Ghana, Brazil, Australia and Russia.

COMPELLING PROJECT HIGHLIGHTSThe numerous high-profile international proj-ects in which Gruner was involved include: partial design of the new EDO cement plant in Nigeria for our customer Julius Berger In-ternational GmbH and of Khukh Tsav cement plant in Mongolia for FLSmidth; extension of the bodywork facility at the Volkswagen plant in Kaluga, Russia; raising the crusher plant and adjoining structures at the Shurovo ce-ment plant of Holcim Russia by 4 m; and the design of airtight steel silo roofs, for RTA Ale-sa, in Kitimat, Canada. A further highlight is the design of the structural system and inno-

vative building services systems for the Swiss Green Tower at Changzhou, China, un-der the visionary leadership of developer Adaxis. Noteworthy contracts in Switzerland include the design of a heat-recovery system for the Jura cement plants in Wildegg and the design of a tire logistics center for Emil Frey AG in Härkingen.

GLOBAL PLANNING CERTAINTY FOR BUILDING AND INDUSTRY

EDO cement plant, Nigeria.

Emil Frey tire logistics center, Härkingen, Switzerland.

Shurovo cement plant, Holcim Russia.

Partnerships with higher education institutes create a win-win situation. In their role as lec-turers and experts, many of our employees share their skills and hands-on project experi-ence with students. Moreover, through start-up funding and direct involvement, Gruner also supports key research projects. Our con-tact with students and international or inter-disciplinary project teams promotes an ex-change of knowledge and technology that benefits both sides.

The systematic development of young talent enjoys high priority at Gruner. For this reason, the company provides the ETH Foundation with financial assistance for the award of ex-cellence scholarships to so-called ETH tal-ents. Similar schemes supported by Gruner include the sponsorship of entries in national and international competitions.

SHARING PAYS DIVIDENDS: SOLAR DECATHLON EUROPE 2014With Gruner's backing, the Engineering and Architecture School at Lucerne UASA is tak-ing part in the Solar Decathlon Europe 2014. The aim of this competition, launched by the U.S. Department of Energy, is to unlock new energy- and resource-efficient solutions for the buildings of tomorrow. The entry put for-ward by the interdisciplinary "Team Lucerne – Suisse" is entitled "your+." Its proposals for an energy-efficient, architecturally innovative solar building are based on an unusual prem-ise: its design is consciously geared to the "smart sharing" of spaces by occupants. With its model, the team hopes to demon-strate the enormous potential of building con-cepts inspired by the sharing principle. True to the motto: Sharing pays dividends. Sharing saves energy.

OTHER PROJECTS IN WHICH WE ARE ACTIVE– Glass-fiber sensors for soil-structure in-

teraction simulation and dimensioning. ETH Zurich, Institute for Geotechnical Engi-

neering– Low-rise high-density as urban relic.

Systematic analysis of 60 specimen es-tates. FHNW, Institute of Civil Engineering (IBAU), Institute of Architecture

RESEARCH AND TEACHING

PARTNERSHIPS WITH UNIVERSITIES: A WIN-WIN SITUATIONFor many years now, the Gruner Group has helped to foster young tal-ent at higher education institutes and promoted pioneering research and development projects. By doing so, we secure the technology, expertise and specialists needed to meet the challenges of tomorrow. Our research partners include the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW) and the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts.



COMMITMENT TO DEVELOPING YOUNG TALENT Many of our employees share their knowledge and hands-on project experience with students at universities and other higher educational institutes. In addition to their role as lecturers, speakers and examiners, they also act as academic advisors for diploma, bachelor and master theses and are actively involved in research projects.

> Hansruedi Berchtold Civil Engineer (ETH/SIA), subject expert and examiner for "Structural design and bridge engineering," Lucerne UASA – Engi-neering and Architecture School > Stefan Bergamin PhD, Civil Engineer (ETH/SIA), visiting lecturer on "Rock mechanics: practice-related issues," Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, expert for diploma theses "Underground engineering," Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), Win-terthur, co-advisor for master thesis "Going International: Georgia," ZHAW, School of Management and Law > Sandro Brunella Civil Engineer (ETH/SIA), expert for bachelor thesis "Heavy construction," FHNW School of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geomatics, IBAU, Muttenz > Domenico Demarco BSc Civil Engineer (ZHAW), subject expert at Vocational School for Construction Zurich (BBZ) > Florian Drändle Civil Engineer (UAS), lecturer on "Civil engineering, MS Project and flood assessment with HAKESCH," FHNW, Muttenz > Jens Dreyer Urban Planner (Univ.), expert advisor on "Applied transport planning methodology," UAS Rapperswil (HSR) > Patrice Droz PhD, Civil Engineer (EPFL), lecturer on "Hydraulic economics," Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), dam safety expert accredited by Swiss Federal Office of Energy > Achim Ernst Chemical Engineer, Industrial Engineer (UAS), speaker at 2013 Swiss Association of Cantonal Fire Insurers conference > Carmen Fechtig Civil Engineer (UAS), lecturer on "Building and civil engineering maintenance," FHNW School of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geomatics, IBAU, Muttenz > Stephan Février Mechatronics Engineer (UAS), advisor for diploma theses "Endingen district heating system," Lucerne UASA – Engineering and Architecture School, Building Services > Tobias Frei Mechanical Engineer (UAS), lecturer on "Sustainable industry and district heating," advisor for diploma theses "Tagelswangen wood-fired district heating system," Lucerne UASA – Engineering and Architecture School, Building Services > Prof. Christoph Gemperle Civil Engineer (ETH/SIA), lecturer on "Building statics and structural steelwork," advisor for bachelor and master theses, Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), Winterthur > Pierre Güntert Engineer (UAS), Business Administrator (Swiss Technical Union), lecturer on "Sustainability management, CAS property life-cycle management," Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), Institute of Facility Management > Dr. Stephan Gundel PhD, Economist, author, lecturer, academic course advisor for "Security management and enterprise security," Berlin University for Professional Studies (DUW) > Kai Hitzfeld Geographer/Hydrologist, speaker as EIA expert at workshops and in student education > Peter Jordan PhD (ETH/SIA), lecturer on "GIS and geology," University of Basel, Department of Environmental Sciences > Jörg Kasburg Engineer (TU), lecturer on "CAS fire protection," Lucerne UASA – Engineering and Archi-tecture School, speaker at 2014 SSI and 2013 Braunschweiger Brandschutztage conferences > Lucien Knöpfli Civil Engineer (ETH), examiner in "Blast-ing systems," Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich > Azad Koliji PhD in Geotechnical Engineering, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), lecturer on masters course "Geomechanics in civil engineering" at EPFL, participation in research projects on soil behavior models at Laboratory of Soil Mechanics (LMS) at EPFL, coauthor of book "Mechanics of Porous Media," member of civil engineering teaching commission at EPFL > Joachim Ködel Engineer (UAS), lecturer on "Sustainable industry and district heating," speaker on "District heating and thermal networks," advisor on degree theses, Lucerne UASA – Engineering and Architecture School, Building Services; seminars on "District heating," University of Applied Scienc-es and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI), Lugano > Pascal Lequime Engineer/International Welding Engineer, expert for bachelor thesis "Steel and composite construction," FHNW School of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geomatics, IBAU, Muttenz > Florent Lushta Civil Engineer (UAS), lecturer on "CAS fire protection," Lucerne UASA – Engineering and Architecture School, speaker at 2014 Stuttgarter Brandschutztage conference > Roland Marty Civil Engineer (ETH/SIA), expert for bachelor thesis "Seismic upgrading," FHNW School of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geomatics, IBAU, Muttenz > Eliane Mattenberger Head of Marketing, expert on vocational examinations for marketing specialists with federal vocational diploma, opera-tional management, technical school (postgraduate), Basel > Eugen Nachtigall Engineer, Industrial Engineer, lecturer for Chamber of Engineers in North Rhine-Westphalia/2013 > Bastian Nagel B. Eng Rescue Engineer (UAS), Quality Officer (TÜV), speaker at 2013 Stuttgarter Brandschutztage conference, lecturer for Chamber of Engineers in North Rhine-Westphalia/2013 > Brendan Quigley BSc, lecturer on "Geomechanics," MAS Civil Engineer, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) > Marco Richner Engineer (Univ., SVI/SIA), MAS Business Eng. Mgmt., expert advisor for "Applied trans-port planning methodology" module, UAS Rapperswil (HSR) > Markus Ringger PhD, Physicist (SIA), lecturer and course head for "DAS Noise abate-ment" and "CAS Acoustics," lecturer on "Building physics internship," FHNW School of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geomatics, IBAU, Muttenz > Reto Ryser Civil Engineer (ETH), expert for bachelor thesis "Heavy construction," FHNW School of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geoma- tics, IBAU, Muttenz > Carina Sagerschnig Engineer (UAS/HVAC), advisor for diploma theses and project work, UAS Rapperswil (HSR), Institute for Energy Technology, "Simplified modeling of building and ground" > Ralf Schnetgöke PhD, Civil Engineer (TU), lecturer on "CAS fire protection," Lucerne UASA – Engineering and Architecture School, speaker at 2013 Braunschweiger Brandschutztage conference > Michael Schumacher M. Eng, Civil Engineer (UAS), Eur Ing, expert for bachelor thesis "Heavy construction," FHNW School of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geomatics, IBAU, Muttenz > Peter Spengler MSc Safety and Hazard Engineer, lecturer on "CAS fire protection," Lucerne UASA – Engineering and Architecture School > Thomas Winzer PhD, Engineer (TH), lecturer on "Transport planning," UAS Rapperswil (HSR) > Alexandre Wohnlich MBA and Civil Engineer (EPFL), lecturer on "Tunnels and caverns in hydro projects," MAS Tunneling, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL)

STAFF DEVELOPMENT

WE INVEST IN OUR WORKFORCEThe Gruner Group welcomes highly qualified professionals. We offer an attractive working environment with ample opportunity for personal and professional development.

As an organization, we constantly strive to de-velop and improve. To achieve this, we culti-vate partnerships with universities and other higher education institutes. At the same time, we play a proactive role as employer by in-vesting in the training and continuing profes-sional development of our employees. Our staff development concept embraces attrac-tive and contemporary courses, e.g. in proj-ect management, site supervision, customer

support and communication. We also invite high-potential in-house employees to partici-pate in our specially designed executive de-velopment program.

On top of our regular annual courses, we en-deavor to cater for the individual professional development needs of employees by provid-ing suitable training options.

GUARANTEED PROJECT SUCCESSEvery day, highly qualified and committed employees with backgrounds in over 50 different professions tackle new challenges to en-sure the success of your projects. > Accountants > Architects > Biologists > Building technicians > Business administrators > Business officers > Chemical engineers > Chemists > Civil/structural engineers > Communications engineers > Controllers > Cultural engineers > Design engi-neers > Draftspersons > Ecologists > Economists > Electrical engineers > Electrotechnicians > Environmental engineers > Environmental scientists > Facility managers > Fire engineers > Forestry engineers > Geoecologists > Geographers > Geologists > Geomatics engineers > Geoscientists > GIS scientists > Graphic designers > HVACR&S engineers > HVACR&S technicians > Industrial engineers > Informatics engi-neers > Interior designers > Legal experts > Logisticians > Marketing officers > Mechanical engineers > Mechatronics engineers > Physicists > Reinforced-concrete technicians > Rescue engineers > Safety engineers > Site managers > Site supervisors > Surveyors > Technicians > Technomathematicians > Transport engineers > Urban planners > Utilities technicians > plus trainees from five professions.



Mario Flühmann Engineer (UAS/HVAC)

Executive Board Member Gruner Roschi AG

Jan Herzog Civil Engineer (MSc/FHNW)

Project ManagerGruner Lüem AG

We place high-quality demands on our staff development programs. That is why we conduct regular feedback interviews with participants, from which the response is overwhelmingly positive.

What aspects of the executive program have been particularly useful for your pro-fessional development?Analyzing my personal leadership strengths has helped me make confident and produc-tive use of my own particular abilities. On the subject of staff communication, we were pre-sented with useful tools for people manage-ment. Also, what I learned on the course of-ten helps me identify the best approach when preparing for employee interviews.

How do you rate the quality of this train-ing course? I obviously had high expectations of an exec-utive-level staff development program. These were more than met. From day one, I was able to tackle my new management duties as an Executive Board Member efficiently, using soundly based methods.

I am very grateful to the Gruner Group for giv-ing me the opportunity to participate in this in-house program.

What did you take away from the project management course that has helped your professional development?I had already been involved in managing a project for some time, so the course enabled me to take on the job officially. The new ideas and suggestions on cost monitoring, recog-nizing irregularities in good time and taking appropriate action were very helpful.

How do you rate the quality of this train-ing course? It provides a detailed rundown on the various duties of a project manager together with a good outline of the Gruner Group's service portfolio. It also gave me the chance to meet colleagues and expand my professional net-work within the Group.

I would like to thank the company for its con-fidence in me and look forward to the next thrilling projects that I manage for the Gruner Group.


Flavio CasanovaCivil Engineer (ETH) CEO Gruner Group

Dietrich Wepf PhD, Civil Engineer (ETH) Regional Head, Zurich, Eastern and CentralSwitzerland

Kurt Rau Civil Engineer (ETH) Division Head, General Planning

Adrian Keller Lawyer Head of Corporate Services

Jon MengiardiCivil Engineer (ETH) MSc Environment EngineeringRegional Head, North-Western Switzerland

Thomas Ernst Chairman

Elisabeth Simonius-Gruner Member

For details of contacts in each business area, please visit our website at www.gruner.ch

André Bodmer Member

Andres Gruner Member

Christoph Ernst Member

Dieter Ernst Honorary Chairman

Secretariat of the Board of DirectorsFabienne Jermann

AuditorsKPMG AG, Basel

Martin Brotzer Civil Engineer (ETH) Head, International

Edi Grass Cultural Engineer (ETH) Division Head, Environment, Safety

Stefan MützenbergPhD, Geologist (ETH) Regional Head, Western SwitzerlandCEO Stucky Ltd

Andreas Wirz Engineer (UAS/HVAC), PG Bus.Admin. (HSG) Division Head, Building Services

CORPORATE BODIES

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CONSOLIDATED GROUP SALES (CHF million)

147.7HEADCOUNT

1059WORKING YEARS (excl. trainees)

BUSINESS AREAS (sales)

BUSINESS INSIDE/OUTSIDE SWITZERLAND

23.7% Wasser, Energie20.4% Verkehr, Transport19.4% Konstruktion 18.5% Gebäudetechnik 7.6% Umwelt, Sicherheit6.5% Generalplanung3.9% Corporate Service

25.43%

18.18%

14.15%

10.47%

9.78%

9.32%

6.10%

4.14%

2.42%

1–5

6–10

11–15

16–20

21–25

26–30

31–35

36–40

über 40

GRUNER GROUP 2014 27As Dec. 31, 2013

GRUNER GROUP IN FIGURES

STAFF QUALIFICATIONS

0

30

60

90

120

150

180

210

240

270

300

330

360

AuszubildendePraktikanten, HilfskräfteAdministrationZeichner/KonstrukteureFH/Techniker TSHochschule

6783892663482060

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200

220

240

260

280

AuszubildendePraktikanten, HilfskräfteAdministrationZeichner/KonstrukteureFH/Techniker TSHochschule

678288265347205

UniversityUAS/engineering school Draftspersons/design engineers Administration Interns, temporary staff Trainees

23.7% Water, Energy 20.4% Transport 19.4% Structural Design 18.5% Building Services 7.6% Environment, Safety 6.5% General Planning 3.9% Corporate Services

85.1% Inside CH 14.9% Outside CH

25.4% 1–5 18.2% 6–10 14.2% 11–15 10.5% 16–20 9.8% 21–25 9.3% 26–30 6.1% 31–35 4.1% 36–40 2.4% Over 40



The strong demand for the rehabilitation and improvement of Switzerland's infrastructure facilities remains unbroken. Moreover, at the start of 2014, the Swiss electorate voted in favor of a further expansion of rail services. It remains to be seen whether the rejection of a higher freeway tax (vignette) will have any im-pact on the construction industry.

In the building construction sector, the growth drivers "immigration," "demographics" and "energy efficiency" continue to fuel demand. An increasing number of residential proper-ties and brownfield sites need refurbishment, conversion or redevelopment. As yet, the im-plications for development activity of the ac-ceptance of the initiative against mass immi-gration are hard to predict. For this reason, prompt clarification by the Swiss Federal

Council of the framework for imple-menting the initiative will be vital. The construction sector relies on for-eign professionals. The provisions of the law thus need to be farsighted and business friendly.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE GRUNER GROUPIn 2014, we will seek to further intensify col-laboration within the Group and specifically drive forward staff development. The current trends in Switzerland's construction culture are somewhat disquieting. Legal action, it would seem, is increasingly viewed as the only means of resolving project disagree-ments. Our project managers and site super-visors consequently need systematic training in damage prevention.

At international level, we will continue to strengthen our foothold in the Southeast Asian hydropower sector. We are also expect-ing the go-ahead for further design projects in south-eastern Europe.

The Gruner Group has entered 2014 with healthy order books. We join with you – our customers, partners and employees – in look-ing forward to a successful future.

OUTLOOK


www.gruner.ch

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Gruner Group 2014 - Living the Vision