Deutsch Abbruchverband looks to the future

The German demolition association (Deutsch Abbruchverband) used the 15th German Demolition Conference in Berlin to make two announcements of major importance to the future of the European demolition industry.

President Walter Werner told the 400+ delegates at the Hotel Berlin that the DA would very shortly initiate discussions with the European Demolition Association with a view to the DA rejoining the latter association. It is this writer's opinion that these discussions must prove successful, as it is almost unthinkable that one of the largest and most active European countries not be represented in EDA deliberations. Without the voice of the DA being heard in EDA initiatives, it is hard to see how European legislators will take note of opinions voiced by the EDA, no matter how 'revitalised' the association becomes.

In a second announcement Mr Werner also said that the DA will, over time, take over the organisation of the German Demolition Conference itself from founder and initiator Dr Dietrich Korth, through his company Asco GmbH. In 2010, the conference programme will be put together by the DA, with Asco continuing with the organisation and administration of the event. In 2011, the DA will become entirely responsible for all aspects of the event.

Mr Werner told D&Ri that he would like to see the event eventually become more 'international', with delegates coming from outside the German speaking countries that have traditionally made up the larger part of the audience.

It is hard to understate the achievement of Dr Korth in developing what, in terms of numbers and programme quality, is one of the best forums for the demolition industry to gather and exchange information and knowledge on the sector. The DA has a hard act to follow, but has the advantage of starting from a very solid base indeed.