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Dear Readers!
2018 has been an extraordinary year for our group. There have been some great business opportunities around – in the area of recycling as well as in the global market for mobility, both in the private and public transport sector. We have been able to make the most of these opportunities by taking steps to acquire DSD (Duales System Deutschland GmbH) – as has the RETHMANN Group, which is intending to purchase shares in Transdev, a leading global operator of mobility solutions based in France. Both transactions must still be approved by the rele-vant authorities.
As an operator and global integrator of mobility solutions, Transdev – “the mobility company” – provides eleven million passenger trips every day, connecting people and places with its efficient and environmentally friendly transport services. Transdev advises and collaborates with public authorities and private sector firms providing sustainable, safe and innovative transport solutions.
82,000 employees serve the company’s customers and passengers in 20 countries. In 2017, it generated a turnover of 6.6 billion euros. Transdev’s operations, however, not only include trains, trams and buses. People using the ferries in Sydney to get across Sydney Harbour are also Transdev’s customers. And the company’s portfolio also has cable car networks and auto-mated minibuses. With Transdev being so important for our family-run company, it makes absolute sense for the mobility group to become the RETHMANN Group’s fourth main field of business alongside REMONDIS, Rhenus and SARIA.
This past year has been one of the driest since records began in Germany. This has, on the one hand, led to the water levels of our rivers being much lower than normal – quite possibly the lowest levels ever – causing huge problems for inland shipping companies and their customers. On the other, it has once again turned the spotlight on the subjects of climate change and resource conservation. The Vatican is also worried about “our Common Home”. Pope Francis made it clear just how worried he is when he wrote his “Laudato si’” encyclical. REMONDIS joined a number of other family business owners to attend the first Roman Forum, which was held in the Holy City and organised by the BDE [Federal Association of the German Waste Management Industry]. During the event, the participants had a moving meeting with the Holy Father who was impressed by the initiatives of these privately run businesses to promote sustainability.
Talking about sustainability: Meyer Werft, a shipbuilding business in Papenburg, is also focusing on sustainable production activities – and on building environmentally friendly ships having recently launched its first gas-fuelled cruise ship. This traditional company is also being supported by REMONDIS. Heading for new shores together, so to speak.
May we take this opportunity to thank you for your great support and collaboration over the last twelve months and wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and successful New Year.
Ihr Ludger Rethmann
Much food for thought for the young visitors
From professional truck drivers, to chemistry lab technicians and industrial management assistants, all the way through to metalworkers – REMONDIS is the place to go to for anyone looking to do a technical or commercial apprenticeship. 607 young people travelled to the company during this year’s ‘Lünen Apprenticeship Evening’ where, as always, they were able to enjoy a comprehensive and breathtaking programme of events: using VR headsets to take a walk around REMONDIS' scrap metal facility in Duisburg; driving a truck simulator; or trying out the assessment test that applicants have to take for the industrial management assistant course. There was a whole range of things for the visitors to discover at the different stands set up at REMONDIS’ head office.
Interviews with the company’s apprentices
Snacks and drinks were on hand for those wishing to take a break and listen to the interviews held with the company’s current apprentices. Throughout the evening, presenter Christian Müller-Espey talked to a number of apprentices, asking them about their work at REMONDIS, their application to the company and their apprenticeship course. The all-in package included a bus shuttle service, with a bus leaving the centre of Lünen to take the visitors to the plant every ten minutes. “As always, the shuttle service proved to be really popular. Practically all the buses were full despite the cold and windy weather,” commented apprenticeship manager, Kristina Rehahn, who was really pleased with the way the evening went.
The bus tracking system used during the Apprenticeship Evening was developed by the REMONDIS Group’s own IT apprentices.
Great interest in the IT courses
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The buses were tracked online by none other than REMONDIS IT Services or RITS. It, too, presented its apprenticeship courses for young people wishing to become IT specialists either in the area of applications development or systems integration. Used for the first time a few years ago, this tracking system has been steadily developed and improved with everything running smoothly and a three-figure number of passengers achieved for the very first time. “There were certainly more people interested in IT jobs this year,” said Jannik Gensicke. “Our bus tracking system was a hit as it is every year – there are always loads of questions about the software,” he added.
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A new experience for many of the young visitors: sitting behind the wheel of a lorry
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Apprentices take on responsibility early on in their course
The IT department looks for a number of skills in its applicants (such as strong logical and communication skills and the ability to work in a team) and prefers them to have good grades in Maths, German and English. Ideally, they already have some practical experience of working in the area of IT. “Once an applicant has convinced us of their strengths, they are then given their own individual schedule detailing when they get to work in which departments. Our apprentices spend time in all of our departments and are given their own project tasks very early on in their course,” explained Sarah Lierz, apprenticeship manager at REMONDIS IT Services. This includes the service desk, the network and security departments, programming and business intelligence.
Focus on practical work
Paul Gellissen, who is currently training to become an IT specialist, believes this is a huge advantage: “We get to take on our very own tasks as soon as the short induction phase is over and so the job is never boring. This is one of the things that I really like about my apprenticeship as well as the friendly atmosphere and the flexitime.” The apprenticeships at RITS very much focus on the practical side of the job. “The majority of the course is practical work – college classes make up just 20% of the apprenticeship. We believe this is really important. At the end of the day, it’s all about their work in the company,” stressed Sarah Lierz.
Part-time degree course also an option
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Once an apprentice has completed their practical three-year course, they then join one of the teams. RITS is also more than happy for them to take part in a further training course or to study part time at university. “Normally, it’s just a matter of talking to your line manager,” Paul Gellissen said. Every year, RITS takes on four new apprentices, training two of them to become an applications developer and two to become a systems integration specialist. At the moment, there are a total of twelve apprentices working towards their goal of becoming an IT specialist.
REMONDIS presented its wide range of apprenticeships: from chemistry lab technicians, to professional truck drivers, all the way through to firefighters
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