18 People at STRABAG www.strabag.com

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL Together to the top Mountain peaks hold a special fascination for many of our colleagues. They experience unique moments in nature scaling high summits with other people.

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Maximilian Schmidt and Ferdinand Scherr – out and about together

Mount Elbrus. Our two German colleagues and site managers Maximilian Schmidt (25) and Ferdinand Scherr (32) from Subdivision Bavaria (DN) live the spirit of TEAMS WORK. not only in building construction but also at great heights during their free time – up on the mountain as a rope team when scaling peaks like Kilimanjaro (5,895 m, summitted on 28 December 2017) or Mount Elbrus (5,642 m, summitted on 7 August 2018).

“On the mountain and in the job, you’ve got to be able to trust one another, assess risks and make decisions,” says Maximilian Schmidt. Ferdinand Scherr adds, “Partner- ship, trust, reliability and respect are of the utmost importance – at work or in a rope team on the mountain.”

Schmidt and Scherr – both celebrate their birthday on 29 April – still have a lot planned. Of the legendary Seven Summits, the highest peaks on all seven continents, they have already successfully climbed two: Kilimanjaro in Africa and Mount Elbrus, the highest peak in Europe.

“Our next goal is Aconcagua, the tallest mountain in South America at 6,962 m,” says Scherr. “The timing isn’t clear yet. After all, you always have to coordinate your profes- sional and personal matters. Especially for our supervisors, long-term planning is necessary if we both want to take holiday at the same time.” 20 People at STRABAG www.strabag.com

Adrienn Kovács – husband-and-wife mountaineering team

Island Peak. Teamwork not only exists among colleagues – it is also particularly important in a partnership. At work, as well as in climbing and mountaineering, you have to pull together. Adrienn Iván-Kovács (33), responsible for work preparation at Subdivision Building Construction and Engineering (HX) in Hungary, experienced a special adventure with her husband that required a great deal of team spirit. The newlywed couple travelled to Nepal together to climb the Himalayas, the highest mountains in the world. They chose Island Peak for their ascent. The challenging route ended at an elevation of 5,800 m – just a few hundred metres below the summit, the couple was forced to turn back. Says Kovács: “I’m confident that one day we will stand on the summit of Island Peak.” People at STRABAG teams. No. 2/ 2019 21

Waldemar Chmielewski – a team with strangers

Chmielewski doesn’t climb in a team: “I mostly travel alone, but still these undertakings would not be possible without the helpfulness of the people I meet along the way. I am often taken in by strangers or am invited to stay the night with locals. On the way to the summit, I meet other climbers who accom- pany me on a part of my route.”

After conquering several peaks in Poland and on the island of Spitsbergen, Chmielewski in 2019 scaled Mount Elbrus and almost Großglockner. “I always prepare for an summitted the Großglockner (3,798 m). He ascent well in advance. These preparations was only 50 metres from the top when the take a lot of time and involve reading up on weather took a turn for the worse – but this what other climbers share online, studying is another great lesson when climbing: books and gathering information,” the always be responsible and don’t let yourself 59-year-old Waldemar Chmielewski says. be driven by emotions. Now with a ticket Mountaineering requires special organisa- to Nepal in his pocket, he already has his tional skills, especially in terms of logistics sights set on his next destination. planning and equipment. Physical training is also very important. “But all my efforts are rewarded with beautiful and breathtaking views,” says the head of central purchasing in Poland, who took up mountaineering five years ago.

I travel alone, but a team often forms spontaneously on the mountain where everyone supports each other on the way to the top.

Waldemar Chmielewski, Head of Central Purchasing Poland