The atmosphere here at the Buhlsche Mühle in Ettlingen is buzzing with energy.
We are delighted to see long-standing participants and representatives of the microtunnelling industry here and look forward to our evening event with delicious food, cocktails and, above all, intensive discussions into the early hours of the morning. The Project Dialogue is a welcome break from the daily work routine – it is a custom that contributes significantly to the continuous exchange of best practise in the industry in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
The programme of our 15th edition of this remarkable event – celebrating 30 years of VMT GmbH and 20 years of Jackcontrol AG, Schweiz – is packed with inspiring sessions and invaluable insights:
Christina Obergföll, Olympic medallist and four-time German champion, takes the stage to share her journey of perseverance and success. Her story reflects the precision and determination required in our field.
Five expert-led sessions covering everything from the latest in digitalisation to sustainability – real-world solutions and strategies you can apply directly to your projects.
Although VMT and Jackcontrol celebrate 50 years of combined experience, today isn’t just a reflection on the past – it’s a leap into the future of microtunnelling. Let’s keep pushing the boundaries together!
This is how 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗚𝗣𝗧 describes the development of hardware over the last 30 years:
“𝘌𝘹𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘦, 𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘣𝘺 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘴𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘯𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘺, 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘴.”
What is the situation at VMT? What requirements do our customers and we place on the devices that are used underground every day?
Features such as
- repairability,
- self-analysis, and
- open interfaces
contribute to the sustainability of our hardware. Regular updates ensure the future viability of the components. Naturally, the robust devices have been specifically developed for underground use, drawing on years of tunnelling experience. In the development of our devices, we focus on
- resource-saving use
- sustainable spare parts management
- future-orientated development
In addition to our in-house developments, such as control cabinets, sensors, consoles, and system cables, we source other components from selected suppliers with whom we liaise closely to offer our customers fully compatible, high-quality complete solutions.
In summary, hardware components play a decisive role in the world of surveying and navigation in tunnelling. With the right hardware, innovative ideas become sustainable solutions: 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲.
Ideas often strike spontaneously and in unexpected places – whether during coffee breaks, car rides, or walks. However, this is not the most reliable approach for creating innovations.
Only when we cultivate, manage and implement ideas in a targeted manner, innovations are born. At VMT, we have a pretty cool system that makes us calculably creative. Here’s an overview of how ideas transition from the brainstorming whirlwind in our innovation centre, Hive1, to reality underground:
Cultivating ideas:
In addition to our innovation hub, Hive1, where ideas spontaneously emerge, we seize every opportunity to gather insights from our staff: Guest lectures, innovation scouts, and brainstorming sessions encourage us to think beyond conventional boundaries.
Managing ideas:
We’ve devised an online form to capture essential details about these ideas, ensuring that creative sparks aren’t lost but swiftly channelled into our innovation pipeline. Thus, each of us can easily become a contributor to our pool of ideas and a visionary.
Realising ideas:
While some ideas may dazzle us from a technological standpoint or push the boundaries of feasibility, the critical question remains:
Does our customer truly require it, and can we deliver such a product to market at an acceptable price?
To confidently navigate this aspect of innovation management with a customer-centric approach, we’ve established the PDP (product development process). This structured framework for planning, development, and production ensures that only the most promising ideas transition from concept to reality
The Hungarian American Nobel Prize winner Albert Szent-Györgyi puts it in a nutshell: ‘Innovation means seeing what everyone else sees but thinking what no one has thought before.’
That’s why we at VMT don’t leave innovations to chance.
… leaving us with memories of an overwhelming event.
How does one properly celebrate 30 years of success?
Well, the stunning venue on our company grounds in Bruchsal, completed with the large white igloo tents, certainly set the stage for last Saturday’s marvellous evening. But it’s the people who truly bring history to life:
SEE, TASTE and HEAR 30 years of VMT.
Around 350 individuals who’ve shaped our company over the past three decades gathered for this wonderful celebration: all our employees with their families and loved ones as well as VMT partners who have accompanied us on our journey for a long time. We were particularly chuffed to welcome some of our colleagues from VMT China.
The international flair extended to the menu as well. Our caterers whipped up a storm with dishes from countries where we are represented: China, USA, Australia, India, and Germany… or should we say Baden?
What about 30 years of VMT for the ears? Our speakers beautifully encapsulated the most significant aspects of our 30-year journey in just over half an hour:
The Lord Mayor of Bruchsal offered an outsider’s perspective, Dr Martin Herrenknecht shared valuable insights, and Michael Sprang highlighted VMT’s importance to the Herrenknecht AG Group. Company founder Manfred Messing and Managing Director Alexander Seilert tugged at our heartstrings, even drawing the odd tear of joy. Then, the VMT band sent shivers down our spines: three ladies and two gents from our team, along with a musician from the evening’s band, absolutely wowed the guests.
And the little ones? They had a whale of a time with bouncy castles and more. Our ice cream van provided a sweet respite – for the grown-ups too, of course. Though, truth be told, the adults’ preferred refreshment came in the form of delicious cocktails in the lounge.
If they didn’t have to stop, they’d still be celebrating – or at least talking about it!
Celebrating two breakthroughs across the country.
Mathias Knoll, his team and all at VMT are very proud to be involved in two major infrastructure projects in Canada:
- Eglinton Crosstown West Extension Project:
After 25 months of tunnel construction, two Herrenknecht EPB shields recently completed tunnels for Metrolinx’s Eglinton Crosstown LRT extension.
The 9.2 km line will run from Mount Dennis to Renforth Drive, mainly underground, adding seven stations and significantly reducing local traffic from Scarborough to Mississauga. - Broadway Subway Project, Vancouver:
Beginning of May, the two TBMs, Elsie and Phylis built by Herrenknecht AG TBMs, achieved breakthroughs on Vancouver’s Broadway Subway project, extending the SkyTrain by 4.2 km each. In one of North America’s fastest-growing cities, the Broadway subway project is essential for meeting the changing economic, social, and cultural needs.
In Canada and all around the world, tunnels optimise space in dense urban settings and improve transportation efficiency. We love tunnels and the daily challenges on our construction sites.
A big thank you to our customers and partners in Canada and around the world for the great collaboration.