Tehnicas, at 25 years - the meeting of a great community created around wood

On September 30 the company Techniques, known for the manufacture of glulam beams and glulam elements used in construction, but also for solutions that redefine the limits of wood construction, celebrated 25 years of activity. The event in Voiteg, near Timisoara, attended by over 500 guests, felt like a big family party. Christof Krattiger, manager of the business set up 25 years ago by his father Simon Krattiger, brought together partners, beneficiaries, competitors, collaborators, employees, family members, friends from Romania and Switzerland. The atmosphere was very pleasant and relaxed, with no cold and scathing speeches, a perfect environment for interaction, free discussions, bonding new relationships and friendships. Below, some impressions hotVideo footage will be available soon.

New buildings with modern architecture seamlessly integrated with old buildings

The event started at 10am, but we arrived a little early. The parking lot, set up on the green space in front of the halls, was almost empty and looked huge. I thought that they had exaggerated a bit, as it seemed impossible to need so much space for cars. I realized I was wrong only a few minutes later when I saw the line of cars stretching all the way to the road. It wasn't long and the parking lot was almost fully occupied.

Our last visit to Voiteg was in 2019, for the interview in issue 5  Wood magazine print In the meantime, a new, fully timber-framed warehouse and a beautifully designed office building have been built. The new office space is modern, with lots of wood and glazed spaces, with outdoor seating in a small botanical garden that includes a pond. From the offices, it's a short walk to the paulownia forest, where you can sit in the shade on wooden benches built a little further away. otherwise or you can walk along the wooden path to the observatory made of arched wooden beams. All done by the Tehnicas team in perfect harmony.

A big united family and a moving speech

By 11 o'clock, when the anniversary speech was announced, I was networking with the other guests. The tables were already set, you could have breakfast if you hadn't already done so, coffee and soft drinks were available. As time went on, the group got bigger and bigger, with participants coming from all over the country. Meanwhile, the barbecues began to sizzle in anticipation of the feast to come. As everything was family centered, children were not forgotten either. A popular inflatable slide and play area, also inflatable, was prepared for them. Other play areas were also set up, for children young and old.

Shortly after 11 o'clock we managed to gather in the new hall which seemed huge. Half of it was set up with tables, and the other half was set up for the speeches, with lots of benches, a screen and several arched beams on either side that reminded you of an amphitheater.

The first speaker, Simon Krattiger, talked about the beginnings, the carpenter's trade, the tradition. He was followed by Christoff who emphasized the importance of this event for the Krattiger family, about how everything was built on the love for wood and the craft, about the important projects carried out over the years: the submarine-like restaurant in Herăstrău Park, the Nuba club in Mamaia, about the construction of which we wrote hereThe Seed House Observatory, the New Millennium Reformed Center, the New Millennium Reformed Center, the Mall Galleries, the Nimphaea Aquapark and many others. For all of them he emphasized the precision of the execution of the elements that were perfectly matched on site and the short time of execution of the works. And of course, the extraordinary qualities of wood and the total commitment to its sustainable exploitation.

In his speech, Christof devoted a lot of space to giving thanks. The moment when he thanked his parents for their continued involvement was very moving. With a huge bouquet of flowers and tears in his eyes, Christof thanked his mother as the rock on which everything was built. The employees were not forgotten either, called the most important asset of the company and part of the great Tehnicas family. Thanks were also due to the partners and collaborators with whose help the company has constantly evolved.

At the end, in the typical Swiss organizational spirit, Christof told us what we will eat at the meal to follow, how everything will be organized and how we can cook our own food. He said that we are free to visit the whole property, from the paulownia forest to the animal pen and from the work halls to the offices.

A community built on a passion for wood

After the speech we again had the opportunity to interact with partners and colleagues, eat and visit the place together. Everything was organized in such a way that we didn't feel trapped in a template, we could eat something ready-cooked or cook ourselves on the grills at our disposal, choose which salads we wanted or how we wanted to combine them. All to the sound of the brass band, which enhanced the traditional Swiss party atmosphere.

There were hours of good cheer, of quality time spent with partners and collaborators, many of whom have already become friends. We were very pleased to meet Emil Baciu from Cadwork, Nicolaie and Vlad Liteanu (Litarh), Florin Dumitrașcu (LignaDumiTech) and many, many others. We enjoyed seeing Marius Șoflete and his team again, discussing future plans. We saw Christian Rummel again, with the same specific costume of a German carp carpenter and the same desire to pass on his knowledge to those who want it. We met Andreas (Kenosis Design), the Swede from Giarmata who has been working and finding solutions for 19 years for people from disadvantaged backgrounds near Timisoara. A video and article with him shortly. All the time I felt the community created around the wood, a community that is constantly building and growing, nourished by the energy of each member.

Techniques - Wood is future

The future of construction is wood It was Simon's love for wood that started the torus, and it continues to do so now that the second generation has been involved in the company's development for a long time. Simon Krattigen is still working as a carpenter, being the one who is always in the topmost place on a construction site solving the most difficult situations. Alongside him are two of his sons who contribute to the design, realization of components and implementation of projects.

Tehnicas offers everything from consultancy and design, to assistance with the physical realization of the project and even assembly. The factory obtains glued laminated timber (glulam, BSH) which is then processed by hand or CNC. The wooden elements are surface treated to increase their resistance to various environmental factors. The elements are sold to manufacturers of timber-framed houses or are used in the realization of projects that the company handles from start to finish.

But most importantly, Tehnicas is a great community to model. At Voiteg, nature is respected, wood is regarded with love and used responsibly, and people are valued.