Celebrating our 40- and 50-year anniversaries 2024!

Farewell after 50 years!

After this impressive time, we say goodbye to Ernst as he takes his well-deserved retirement. His career began in 1974 with an apprenticeship at KAEFER as an insulation fitter, followed by two years in the German Armed Forces. Ernst worked on numerous construction sites, including gas

fields at Schelde Chemie Brunsbüttel, CONDEA Petrochemie-Gesellschaft, DEA Heide and at various power stations such as Stade, Brunsbüttel and Brokdorf. His career has also been characterised by international assignments in the Netherlands and Norway. In the last three years, he worked in the workshop at the Hamburg site.

joined KAEFER’s shipbuilding division in Bremen in 1984 as an apprentice in industrial insulation. In 1987, he went straight to work as a fitter at the Bremer Vulkan shipyard and at the shipyards of Fassmer, Meyer, Cassens, Arminius, Hegemann and many others. From 1997 onwards, he worked abroad all over the world: Russia, Finland, Sweden, Ukraine, France, Italy, the UK, the Netherlands, Singapore and Brazil. He has worked on all types of vessels, from gas tankers, container ships and naval vessels to yachts and rescue cruisers. After successfully completing his training as a foreman, Marcus then took over various construction sites at shipyards in Bremen in 2001. In 2012, he joined the Bremen Projects & Sales department as a site and project manager for some time and currently works in the metal construction workshop in Bremen.

In his spare time, the loyal Werder fan enjoys gardening, motor boating and the family dogs. By the way, he is not the first in the family to be drawn to work at KAEFER: his father was also a valued KAEFER employee for many years.

celebrates his 50^th anniversary at KAEFER on 1 August 2024 – an anniversary he and KAEFER can be very proud of. Jürgen started in August 1974 with an apprenticeship as an insulator at the former KAEFER Isoliertechnik GmbH & Co. KG in the Bremen branch. After completing his training and his basic military service, Jürgen then worked in the department for cassette construction for nuclear power plants and took over the duties of foreman in 1982. In 1983 and 1984, Jürgen passed the master craftsman examinations parts 1 to 4 in Bremen and Nuremberg. This was followed by assembly assignments in Bergen op Zoom in the Netherlands, where Jürgen later took over the site management of the projects in addition to measuring and foreman activities.

Back in Germany, Jürgen started work in 1990 as a technical employee for work preparation in the workshops in Bremen – at that time all

prefabrication workshops were under one roof (shipbuilding, nuclear power plant cassettes and industrial insulation). At the same time, Jürgen trained as a REFA specialist at evening school. From 1994 to the present day, Jürgen has worked as an estimator in the calculation and project planning department in Bremen. Over the past 30 years, Jürgen has prepared countless quotations for small and very large projects in the KAEFER world, from which successful orders have been generated on numerous occasions. His in-depth expertise, extensive experience and openness to new topics and colleagues continue to enrich the central calculation and project planning team to this day.

On his way to work, Jürgen can always be found on his bike, and he also loves cycling in his free time, as well as going on holiday to the Baltic Sea and spending time with his first grandchild.

has been with the Oświęcim division since 19 January 1984, holding positions as an Industrial Insulation Fitter and Foreman. He began his career at the Łaziska Górne Power Plant and has accumulated extensive experience on various significant projects. Kazimierz has been involved in projects such as PCC Rokita in Brzeg Dolny, work in Kołobrzeg, Opole, Jaworzno III, and the Synthos Chemical Plant.

His international experience includes working in East Germany on projects in Bohlen, Chemnitz, and Leitz, as well as in Košice, Slovakia. One of the most exciting moments in his career was working on the flue gas desulphurisation (FGD)

system at the Łaziska Górne Power Plant and on reducing NOx emissions from four boilers. Kazimierz is a conscientious, precise, and highly efficient worker. As a foreman and workshop specialist, Kazimierz takes great care of the technical condition of workshop machines and equipment, earning him the reputation of a “jack-of-all-trades.”

In his personal life, Kazimierz enjoys outdoor activities – he spends his free time mushroom picking, horseback riding, and cheering for the Unia Tarnów speedway team.

40 years: An impressive anniversary!

Alf Detlef is a true original of our company. Alf began his apprenticeship in Kiel in 1984 and successfully completed it in 1987. Since then, he has worked as a fitter on numerous construction sites, including Helgoland, oil rigs, Gemeinschaftskraftwerk (GKK) OST, CP Kelco and at Stadtwerke

Flensburg. In 1995, Alf took over the management of construction sites and has been working closely with his colleague Jürgen in Hamburg since 2004.

His passion and commitment have made him an indispensable part of our team. Alf, we look forward to many more successful years with you!

has been with the Oświęcim branch since 1984, working as an industrial insulation fitter and scaffolder. He began his career at Termoizolacja, and his professional experience spans both domestic and international projects, including work in Norway, Germany, Romania, Hungary, and Finland. Currently, he primarily works at Synthos in Oświęcim. One of the most exciting projects in his career was his work in Finland, which left him with many unforgettable memories. Jerzy is a highly skilled insulation fitter and scaffolder who has gained valuable

experience on construction sites both in Poland and abroad. He is known for his high level of personal culture and strong collegial relationships with his coworkers. Always reliable, Jerzy handles the daily challenges of construction work with ease.

Jerzy likes to spend his free time with his family, with whom he enjoys cycling, hiking in the mountains and picking mushrooms. We all wish Jerzy lots of fun on his trips and many more mountain peaks conquered with stunning views.

started his training as an insulator at KAEFER on 17 September 1984 and successfully completed it on 26 June 1987. Immediately afterwards he spent a year working at Jacobs Kaffee in Hemelingen on the construction of a new decaffeination plant. From 1988 to 1989, Michael was in the navy and has been nicknamed ‘Kaleu’ ever since. The following year he was deployed abroad in Belgium and the Netherlands. Since 1991, Michael has worked as a site manager for swb Entsorgung in Bremen. In 1999 he passed his examination as a foreman.

Michael is married and has two children. In his free time, he enjoys going on holiday with his wife Inka.

joined KAEFER on 3 January 1984 and has had a varied career as an insulator, foreman and shop steward, working on projects all over Norway. He has been responsible for both large and small projects, including customer contact, material ordering and work planning. Some memorable projects include the New Norges Bank (1984-1986), work at Aker

Verdal Hydro in the late 1990s and insulation work at Ormen Lange in Molde.

Over the years, the work has changed, with more travel, shorter project times, better quality materials and new HSE standards. The industry has also become more international, which has increased the use of English.

Glenn’s biggest milestones include working on major projects in southern Norway from 2006 to 2011, and challenging times during the covid pandemic in 2020, when staff shortages created additional challenges. His career has been characterised by commitment, adaptability and good results.

joined KAEFER as an apprentice on 1 August 1984. After successfully passing his exams, Michael was taken on as an insulation fitter at the Pfungstadt site in June 1987. The next change came in July 2004 when he was appointed project manager for upcoming projects at the site. The following 20 years as project manager were characterised by many large and smaller projects, such as the Darmstadt waste-to-energy plant, Darmstadt Hospital, Merck KGaA Darmstadt, the chemical factory in Budenheim near Mainz and many more. He was also responsible for developing long-term customer relationships – which often resulted in framework agreements. The customer can rely on his technical expertise: There is always a solution somehow. For more than 10 years, Michael has also been responsible for looking after existing long-term customers in the federal state of Saarland, such as STEAG Kraftwerke, EEW Kraftwerke, Robert Bosch, Michelin and many more. Together with Michael and the sales department, the latest permanent customer, SHS (Dillinger Hütte and Saarstahl), was also acquired with a 5-year contract.

Once a passionate off-road motorcyclist who took part in the Paris-Dakar desert rally, he is still a very talented craftsman today: he has invested a lot of time in restoring a vintage tractor, which he now uses to cultivate his garden plot.

Michael, we especially wish you good health and even more fun with your ‘grandpa life’, which has been showing you life from a different perspective since 13 May.

employed since 18 February 1984 as an Industrial Insulation Fitter, has worked on projects in Poland, Germany, Lithuania, Belgium, and for the past six years, in the Netherlands.

“My first employment contract was with Termoizolacja, and the second one was with KAEFER S.A. I had the opportunity to witness modern gas furnace technology in Germany, and in the Netherlands, I worked on the latest technology for reducing CO2 emissions, in line with EU regulations.”

Marek’s supervisor emphasises his invaluable contribution to KAEFER. “Marek is an

indispensable cog in the machine of our organisation. His extensive professional experience means he is not intimidated by even the toughest challenges. Every day, he is ready to go, motivating others with his dedication. Friendly, helpful, and collegial, he is well-liked by both his colleagues and our Dutch partners.”

Outside of work, Marek has a wide range of interests, including motorcycling, fishing, and mushroom picking. He also values relaxing downtime. On a personal note, he is a proud father of two daughters.

“After my training as a precision sheet metal worker, I was hired as an insulator at the former Kiel site on 5 June 1984 and was later taken on at the Hamburg site after the site was closed. I worked for the industry on various construction sites in Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, Lower Saxony and the new federal states; in the meantime I even spent time working abroad, e.g. in Belgium, Denmark and Switzerland, and various nuclear power plants were also among my work locations. I have been a permanent part of the team on the Mittelplate oil rig since 2008.

I am married and have two grown-up daughters. I enjoy spending a lot of time with my four grandchildren. And I travel with my wife as often as I can, preferably to the many small Greek islands.”

was employed on 10 September 1984 as an Industrial Insulation Fitter. He has been associated with the Oświęcim branch throughout his working life, working on numerous construction sites in the region, including Oświęcim, Jaworzno, Łaziska, Bielsko-Biała, Jastrzębie, and Skawina. Jerzy began his career at Termoizolacja Zabrze and later worked for Termoizolacja Oświęcim Sp. z o.o., before joining KAEFER S.A. In 1987, he embarked on export projects in Germany, where he worked in cities such as Greifswald, Sassnitz, Chemnitz, Rostock, and Bülow. From 1991 onward, he intermittently worked in the Federal Republic of Germany on construction sites in Cologne, Neurath, Duisburg, Frankfurt, Munich, and Ingolstadt. He is currently involved in the Synthos Oświęcim project. Among his most memorable professional experiences is his time working on the beautiful island of Rügen in East Germany, particularly in the resort town of Sassnitz, which he fondly recalls as a special period of his youth.

Jerzy’s supervisors emphasise that he has progressed through various levels of his career, from industrial insulation fitter to construction foreman. With his extensive experience, he has successfully managed teams of workers on construction projects both in Poland and abroad. His skills make him highly effective as a quantity surveyor as well. Jerzy is valued for his experience and loyalty.

In his personal life, Jerzy is a family man: He is completely devoted to his family, especially his grandchildren. During the winter season, he is a passionate hockey fan who avidly follows his favorite team’s games.

has now been working in the shipbuilding team for 40 years. After completing his training in the 1980s, he was a permanent member of our team at the Lürssen shipyard in Lemwerder. His work there included sheet metal cladding on naval vessels.

He later moved to the metal construction workshop in Bremen, where he continues to contribute his extensive experience to the construction of acoustic hoods for yachts and various systems for naval vessels. Today, he only rarely goes out to the shipyards, for example to install acoustic hoods in Bremen or Rendsburg.

began his training as an industrial clerk in Bremen on 1 August 1984. After successfully passing his exams, he was taken on as a commercial employee in Bremen and worked in various commercial departments at the Bremen branch. As part of a reorganisation of the technical departments, Michael was one of the first to move to the Bremen shipbuilding department as a so-called ‘trade clerk’. This also considerably expanded the range of tasks. His tasks now also included project cost reports, contract auditing and accounting. From 1989, Michael deepened his knowledge and completed a 2-year training programme at the Bremen Business Academy to become an industrial business administrator. From the early to mid-1990s, Michael was commercially responsible for the insulation of LNG tankers in Finland.

Further major projects in the marine sector followed, such as minehunters and fast

minesweepers, where Michael kept the figures under control together with the commercial management and the division management. A particular challenge was the calculation and price checking for public contracts.

After the shipbuilding department was spun off into a separate company in 2004 and merged with G+H Schiffsausbau, Michael was the all-round salesman for the Bremen location at KAEFER Schiffsausbau GmbH. In close co-operation with the workshop, he has been responsible for all ‘Bremen figures’ ever since. The Dutch subsidiary KAEFER OPTICON was also part of his division. Since 2023, Michael has been responsible for the entire area of marine projects and yacht equipment as well as the metal and composite workshop in the new departmental organisation.

started his training as an insulator at KAEFER on 1 August 1974 and successfully qualified on 7 June 1977. After completing his training, Dieter moved to the building construction department where he managed small projects. Since 1978, Dieter has been working as a site manager at Deutsches Milchkontor in Zeven (formerly Nordmilch). Immediately after the reunification  of Germany, Dieter was involved in the construction of several new dairies, especially for façade work in East Germany in Bergen auf Rügen, Wismar etc. In this context Dieter completed the façade projects for the architectural firm Hatke & Lange (later Lueßen and Kunze). In 1999, he passed his examination to become a foreman. Last year Dieter completed an offshore training programme and now occasionally works for TenneT on offshore platforms.

In his spare time, Dieter has always enjoyed playing football and tennis. His current favourite hobby is his house and garden with a neighbouring lake.

“I started at the refinery on Kårstø and I still work here. I was actually there when they started building the refinery. I began with insulation and encapsulation, made parts myself on the prefab, and worked on various assignments both locally and internationally (Murmansk, England, Hammerfest).

For the last year I’ve been working as a quality controller, making sure the insulation work is done properly – but I’m also here to help where needed.

I would recommend younger people to work at KAEFER, as it emphasises the importance of

practical skills and creativity. My 40 years with KAEFER have been nothing but positive. I have received good feedback from customers and had fantastic experiences on all projects with nice colleagues and managers.”

started his training as an insulator at KAEFER on 17 September 1984 and successfully completed it on 26 June 1987. In 1993 he took up the position of site manager for the then new Dresden site and in the workshop. He then worked as a site manager at Kaffee Hag until the plant was closed. In 2007, he passed his examination to become a site foreman. Today, Theo is deputy site manager at Arcelor Mittal Bremen.

In his spare time, he enjoys riding his motorbike.

celebrated 40 years of service at KAEFER in September 2024. He is a KAEFER employee in the 3^rd generation: His grandfather was involved in setting up the Oldenburg branch office as an engineer in the 1960s, and Andreas later followed in his father’s footsteps as site manager. During his training as an industrial insulator from 1984, Andreas mainly worked on construction sites in the Oldenburg area.

After his further training as a foreman in the industrial sector, his first long assignment abroad took place in 1996: He spent 11 months working for Linde on heat and cold insulation on pipelines, tanks and containers in the Ukraine. This was followed by numerous other

assignments in the food, petrochemical and steel industries as well as in power stations, plant construction and shipyards in Australia, Egypt, Abu Dhabi, Finland, Spain, Wales, Denmark, Belgium and the Netherlands.
After training as a Certified KAEFER Project Manager, Andreas became site manager for cryogenic insulation at the Meyer shipyards in Papenburg and Turku (Finland) in 2019 and finally switched to KAEFER Schiffsausbau GmbH in 2023.

We are grateful to have him in our team with his special experience in the field of cryogenic insulation and his friendly and engaging manner.