About quality protection for concrete:
The Güteschutz Beton e. V. is an independent, recognised monitoring and certification body for manufacturers of precast concrete elements, concrete products and aggregates. Since its foundation in 1950, the association has been committed to ensuring and developing product quality.
Scheidt GmbH & Co. KG was honoured with a special certificate in October: The company is a founding member of Güteschutz Beton, an independent organisation that has stood for quality, safety and trust in the precast concrete industry for 75 years.
Concrete quality protection
The Güteschutz Beton monitors and certifies the quality of precast concrete parts and concrete products - independently, neutrally and without commercial self-interest.
Around 200 manufacturers in North Rhine-Westphalia and neighbouring European countries are regularly inspected. The aim is to ensure a permanently high level of quality through continuous external monitoring and advice and to strengthen confidence in concrete products.
A look back at the beginnings, from the anniversary speech
The anniversary presentation by Dr Stefan Zwolinski, Managing Director and Head of the Certification Body, painted a vivid picture of the early years. Mr Zwolinski looked through extensive company files as well as old minutes from board and general meetings. The founding phase from 1950 to the early 1960s in particular was characterised by intensive work and sometimes controversial debates about the right path for quality protection as a voluntary self-regulatory body.
As early as February 1950, the Quality Assurance Association was recognised by the Ministry of Reconstruction as a body for awarding quality-assuring quality marks. The dynamism of this period is also reflected in the frequency of meetings, with up to four general meetings being held each year. Around 140 companies joined in the founding year, and by the early 1970s the number had grown to around 340 companies.
Milestones, neutrality and reliable quality assurance
A key success factor from the very beginning was the neutrality and independence of the association. The aim remained the same throughout the decades: to take measures to increase the quality of concrete products and precast concrete elements and to promote them. The quality mark quickly established itself as the required proof of quality. Until 1996, the quality mark certificate was both a membership certificate and the only proof of usability under building law. It was only with the amendment of the state building regulations that certificates of conformity became mandatory, and the product certificates supplement this system to this day.
The transition to European regulations from 2003 onwards was also primarily characterised by form, while the stable foundation of the statutes was the mainstay of content. Over the course of 75 years, this was repeatedly adapted with foresight so that manufacturers' interests, user needs and legal requirements were brought together. This has enabled Güteschutz Beton to establish itself as a credible point of contact and reliable body for professionals.
Significance for Scheidt, tradition and future
Concrete has always been a core material for Scheidt. Among other things, we manufacture shells for transformer stations and rely on sustainable, innovative concrete mixes to make our products even more environmentally friendly and resource-saving.
„Concrete is a fascinating material that is constantly evolving“
says Eike Hilker, concrete technologist at Scheidt.
„Our aim is to combine the high quality that Scheidt has stood for for decades with modern, environmentally friendly formulations. In this way, we create durable products that are not only technically impressive, but also contribute to sustainability.“
„We are proud to have been part of this quality concept since 1950,“ it continues. „For us, tradition and the future belong together - which is why we want to continue actively shaping the standards of the industry in the future with new ideas, responsibility and innovation.“
Conclusion
The members' meeting in the anniversary year made it clear how sustainable the ideas of the founders still are today. For Scheidt, being honoured as a founding member is both a recognition and an incentive: "We see it as a mandate to continue to actively support the path of quality protection, with a high level of technical expertise, practised quality and a view to the future.
