Economy Minister Colette Boos-John recognizes Z-BAU in Empfertshausen with an award
In a recent visit to Z-BAU Empfertshausen, Thuringian Minister for Economy, Agriculture and Rural Areas, Colette Boos-John (CDU), was accompanied by Martin Henkel, CDU state parliamentarian from Geisa. The purpose of the visit was to gain insights into the operations of this renowned construction company located in the Thuringian Rhön region.
Founded in 1985, Z-BAU has grown to employ around 150 people and is active in various sectors including filling station construction, car wash construction, system catering, commercial construction, and renewable energies. Lothar Zimmermann, the founder of Z-BAU, was honoured as "Thuringian Entrepreneur of the Year" by the Federal Association of Medium-Sized Businesses (BVMW) in 2012, and the company was awarded the MuT Entrepreneur Award in the "Innovation" category in 2024.
During the visit, Zimmermann expressed concerns about the adaptation of the law on temporary work to today's economic realities and the strengthening of vocational training. He suggested the possibility of founding his own "Z-BAU Academy" in the context of vocational training. Zimmermann also advocated flexible working time models over the planned introduction of a general 4-day week, especially for companies with assembly operations.
Zimmermann emphasized the urgent need to significantly reduce bureaucratic hurdles for medium-sized companies to compete with companies from western federal states. In response, Minister Boos-John agreed on the need for a nationwide uniform awarding law to create fair competitive conditions for all companies in Germany.
Minister Boos-John made it clear that she is actively seeking direct dialogue with entrepreneurs to address challenges and needs on site. Z-BAU Managing Director Mike Kregel guided the minister and the state parliamentarian through the history and development of the company, providing valuable insights into the unique challenges and opportunities faced by the construction industry in Thuringia.
The construction industry is currently a concern in Thuringia, with a decline of around five percent. Visits like the one to Z-BAU are considered important to find joint ways out of the crisis. Lothar Zimmermann, in his long-standing motto: "Help yourself, then God will help you," welcomed the minister and expressed his appreciation for the dialogue. The visit concluded with Minister Boos-John expressing admiration for the company's development and the founder's clear stance, describing Z-BAU as embodying entrepreneurial spirit, innovative power, and a positive, responsible corporate culture.
In the conversation, Lothar Zimmermann, the founder of Z-BAU, expressed his concerns about the adaptation of the law on temporary work to the current economy and advocated for the establishment of his own "Z-BAU Academy" to strengthen vocational training in the business sector. Minister Boos-John agreed on the need for a nationwide uniform awarding law to create fair competitive conditions for all businesses, particularly in the finance industry, and commended Z-BAU for embodying entrepreneurial spirit, innovative power, and a positive, responsible corporate culture, which is essential for the success of any industry, including construction and renewable energies.
