Frankfurt The building management of the Wisag Group is facing a major upheaval. Because the real estate industry has a disastrous climate balance. In addition, it is under pressure because of the reform of the Building Energy Act.
The climate-related upheaval at Wisag therefore requires the utmost attention from the Wisser entrepreneurial family. Since the beginning of 2023, Michael Wisser – born in 1971 – has been head of the building management division again. His predecessor Michael Moritz had implemented his plan to retire at the age of 61 at the turn of the year 2022/2023.
The son of company founder Claus Wisser actually had other plans. The boss of the Frankfurt service group Wisag wanted to concentrate on his job as a member of the board of the higher-level holding company. Operationally managing one of the three divisions Facility Management, Aviation Management and Industry Services should remain a thing of the past. At the beginning of 2022, Michael Wisser therefore gave up management of the aviation division.
“I was available,” Wisser joked to the Handelsblatt about his decision to take over the building management. There were alternatives, both external and internal. “But we have come to the conclusion that this solution is the best for the time being,” he argued.
The entrepreneur says: “35 percent of the CO2 emissions come from the real estate sector. And politicians have got it in their heads to solve the issue with a crowbar.” For years it was said that humanity was heading for a climate catastrophe, but little had happened. “It’s like your own health. You ignore the warnings of the doctors until you have a heart attack, then you want to change everything very quickly.”
80 percent of buildings in Europe were built before 1980
According to Wisser, many of the buildings in Germany and Europe are showing their age: “80 percent of the properties were built before 1980, when the climate issue was not yet a major issue.”
The entrepreneur has also taken over the management of the facility management division. It’s about to undergo a major renovation.
(Photo: Jörg Baumann)
The group’s building management is now facing radical changes. Last year, the division contributed 1.36 billion euros to group sales of 2.57 billion euros. Many real estate operators would deal with the topic of sustainability. But they need help with that. “The role of service providers like us will change massively,” explained Wisser. So far, the focus has been on ensuring the operation of a building. “In the future we will become consultants.”
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For many of the 33,000 employees, this means they have to adapt to their new role as consultants. “In the end, everyone has to understand that we have a great deal of leverage to optimize the buildings in terms of energy and make them sustainable,” says Wisser.
Digitization plays a major role in this. “The modernization ensures fewer emissions, and digitization ensures efficient control,” says the entrepreneur. That’s why digital know-how is the second pillar in Wisser’s renovation plan alongside sustainability.
If the strategy is to work, Wisag needs growth. Because the topics of sustainability, digitization and qualification require high investments. For example, the service provider’s fleet is currently being converted to e-cars. The company has also acquired its own wind farm, which will soon cover all of its electricity needs.
“All of this eats up liquidity,” says Wisser. Pushing through higher prices will only work to a limited extent. There is fierce price competition in the industry. This was recently shown in the latest “sustainability radar” that Wisag regularly carries out with customers. One result: When looking for a real estate service provider who is supposed to provide support on the subject of sustainability, the costs play a more important role for most of them than the competence.
So the entrepreneur relies on foreign countries. “Digitization is screaming to be scaled. So we have to expand our business geographically.” Wisag has some catching up to do here.
This becomes clear in the annual ranking of the consulting firm Lünendonk. In 2022, with sales of 1.36 billion euros in Germany, the company was in a good third place behind Spie Germany and Apleona. But including abroad, Apleona is almost twice as big as Wisag.
Wisag examines takeovers abroad
Wisser says: “In the past we were a bit reluctant to expand abroad, we want to change that.” He has Europe in mind, but one focus is on the German-speaking countries. “Acquisitions will also play a role in this.”
The service provider is converting its fleet to e-cars.
(Photo: Wisag)
However, Wisser will have to overcome some problems. The entrepreneur, who has worked for many years in various managerial positions in the facility management of the family company, knows this. Many companies would want to act quickly on climate protection, but the bureaucracy would stand in the way.
They moved into their headquarters in Frankfurt-Niederrad in 2013 – after a thorough renovation. Geothermal energy (earth heat) was also installed. “It hasn’t been in operation to this day because the permit hasn’t been obtained,” reports Wisser, clearly frustrated.
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As important and correct as the political goals are, the implementation will not work that way, says Wisser: “Politicians drive around with combustion engines, I don’t know of any parliament building with photovoltaics on the roof. I would like politicians to gain experience themselves, so they could also look at the issues holistically.”
Wisser is known for taking political positions. Immediately after Russia invaded Ukraine, he told Handelsblatt that other companies should act and cease operations in Russia.
Nevertheless, Wisser is convinced that he can master all challenges. “With our wide range of services, we will benefit from the upheaval as an integrated service provider.” The entrepreneur makes it clear: “It is a matter close to my heart to accompany the strategic restructuring. But it won’t be a life’s work.”
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