Jeanette Spanier is the winner in the "Family Succession" category of the she succeeds awards 2023. (Photo: © VdU)
Read aloud:
women in crafts - Theme specials
July 2023
Master scaffolder Jeanette Spanier has been working in scaffolding construction for 19 years, currently manages her father's business and founded two start-ups.
Master scaffolder Jeanette Spanier has been working in scaffolding for 19 years. Today, she manages her father's business as a dual manager. In addition to her busy day-to-day construction work, she founded two innovative start-ups, "Moselcopter" and "Scaffeye." When it comes to erecting scaffolds for houses, bridges, churches, or special projects in Germany or the BeNeLux region, around 25 employees work for the master scaffolding company Spanier & Bichler GmbH. Since its founding by Hermann Spanier and Holger Wiedemann in 1992, then known as Gerüstbaubetrieb Spanier & Wiedemann KG, the Longuich-based craft business near Trier has developed from a small, regionally operating business to a Germany-wide master scaffolding company. After the two founders had increasingly withdrawn from day-to-day operations, Jeanette Spanier, together with long-time employee Sebastian Bichler, took over in 2020 and has since been successfully managing their father's business in the second generation, also under dual leadership.
Jeanette Spanier knew from an early age that she would one day take over the company: "Even as a child, it was clear to me that there would be nothing else for me but scaffolding construction." Continuing her parents' craft business, which her father had built up first and foremost, was always a matter close to her heart. After graduating from secondary school, the young successor initially completed a commercial apprenticeship, followed by a business administration degree, in her parents' scaffolding business. However, it quickly became clear that everyday office life alone wasn't fulfilling for her – she wanted to get hands-on and get involved, and in 2007, she passed her master craftsman's examination. "Scaffolding construction is a bit like building with Lego bricks – only for grown-ups!" the master craftsman smiles today.
Quote by Jeanette Spanier "I want to encourage other women to believe in their professional dreams and to follow their own path, even if it is sometimes difficult."
The Chambers of Crafts in Germany - Koblenz Chamber of Crafts
The Chambers of Crafts in Germany - Koblenz Chamber of Crafts
The Chambers of Crafts in Germany - Chamber of Crafts and Trades of Saarland
Even though her succession within the company was planned, she was not spared the proverbial "jump into the deep end": Due to the sudden departure of a managing director, the young foreman had to step in earlier than planned and assume leadership responsibility as CEO. "The best and most varied years," Jeanette Spanier describes her time as a young managing director, which had a lasting impact on her and during which she was able to learn a great deal.
During this time and under her leadership, not only did the site grow from three to 25 employees, but she also significantly advanced digitalization within the company. Together with her father, she explored digital innovations from a company perspective, which quickly led to the founding of the two start-ups "Moselcopter" and "Scaffeye." Moselcopter enables surveying using drone images to facilitate the creation of 3D scaffolding, and with Scaffeye, the two scaffolders have developed software that ensures the legally compliant management and handover of scaffolding. The two start-ups emerged from traditional trades and everyday challenges. "We sought solutions for problems we face in our daily lives and implemented them ourselves, as there was no company on the market that could solve these problems until then," explains the boss.
I agree to display all external content and to change my cookie settings to 'Allow all cookies'. Learn more in our Privacy Policy.
Jeanette Spanier is personally committed to further advancing digitalization in scaffolding construction. She is also firmly convinced that digital channels and tools can help make the industry more attractive to young people. "Digitalization in the skilled trades is so multifaceted and offers young people – and women in particular – so many new opportunities and perspectives," enthuses the two-time founder.
In addition to her daily work on the construction site, this powerful woman is also involved as part of the #InitiativeFrauen (Women's Initiative) to promote more women and girls in skilled trades. She observes that girls, in particular, often have to fight harder against the expectations of their parents and their social environment when they pursue a skilled trade, especially scaffolding. The woman from the Rhineland-Palatinate region proves every day that women and girls can handle and master these "always considered male-dominated professions" just as well as their male counterparts. What's needed, in her opinion, are even more role models.
BackgroundSuccess. Jeanette Spanier is the winner in the “family succession” category of the she succeeds awards 2023.
Internet Click here for the Website of Spanier & Bichler GmbH.
she succeeds award The she succeeds awardThe "Business Successor of the Year" award from the Association of German Women Entrepreneurs is the first and only prize in Germany that honors female successor entrepreneurs and highlights them as role models. Under the patronage of Federal Minister of Economics Dr. Robert Habeck, the Association of German Women Entrepreneurs honors exceptional women who have taken the courageous step of becoming successors within and outside their families. The award is intended to highlight entrepreneurship as an attractive career option, including in the area of succession.
DHB now also digital!Simply click here and register for the digital DHB!
Further news from the district of the Chamber of Crafts Trier
Newsletter
2 Comments
Write a comment