A quarter of a century at the Würzburg Brick Training Course
Joachim Deppisch is a household name to most of the regulars at the Würzburger Ziegellehrgang (WZL). Since 1997, he has been organising the most important annual meeting of the German brick and tile industry with great energy and passion. With the 60th WZL, which takes place this year, Deppisch says goodbye to his office. In the run-up to the event, the ZI editorial team was able to talk to Joachim Deppisch. In the interview, he looks back on a quarter of a century at the WZL and describes, among other things, why taking over as course director was a surprise, what makes the WZL so special and what he wishes his successor.
Mr Deppisch, how did you become head of the Würzburg Brick Training Course?
Joachim Deppisch: I didn’t get the position because I was a pronounced brick expert. Neither was my immediate predecessor, Lothar Rieseler, the director of construction. As the head of the testing office of the Landesgewerbeanstalt (LGA) Bayern in Würzburg, he at least had a solid basic knowledge of building materials. It was similar for me. As head of materials testing, I carried out many brick tests as part of factory inspections. Bricks were therefore not completely foreign to me.
In 1996, Lothar Rieseler asked me if I would like to take over the course management after his retirement. He knew that I liked to help organise a lot at the LGA, for example the summer festival. I should take a look at the course, he said. So on 26 November 1996, I sat in the hall and experienced my first WZL. Rieseler announced in his opening speech that he was quitting and that this would be his last course. Then he pointed at me and said that his successor was sitting there. That was very unexpected. But in the end it was a great stroke of luck for me.
How do you look back on the past 25 years?
JD: The course, although I didn’t have much to do with the industry or the association directly, was my baby at the LGA. Working on it was always special, fun and very interesting, for example the current energy topic. Collaboration with colleagues and especially with the advisory board was great. They developed the course’s content. I “only” took care of the organisation.
Have you developed the course further?
JD: I have tried to include all products of the brick industry in the programme: not only bricks, but also clinkers and roof tiles. To do this, you have to have the right experts on the advisory board. They ultimately draw up the programme and keep an eye on technical developments.
The advisory board was already well staffed when I joined. We have continued that. Aiming at a balanced composition, I tried to appoint not only scientists but also practitioners to the board. Practitioners have large networks and know where and with whom something exciting and new is happening and who can provide information about it. In the current advisory board we have three great practitioners, Ralf Borrmann, Murray Rattana-Ngam and Michael Schwarz. In cooperation with the entire advisory board, we always came up with an interesting programme that appealed to the participants. The success can be seen, among other things, in the increasing demand for space.
In the past, we were in the rooms of the LGA Würzburg. About 100 participants are admissable there and, recently, the venua burst at the seams. In the Vogel Convention Center last year, we were able to accommodate over 200 participants. Location and technical equipment proved to be good. I assume that the WZL will stay there for the time being. With a capacity of up to 250 people, there is also room for more participants.
What attracts participants to the WZL?
JD: Besides imparting practical knowledge, personal exchange plays a big role for the participants. I noticed this during my first course visit when I was presented as a future course leader. This motive has become even stronger. Because opportunities for exchange or to visit each other in the factories are becoming rarer and rarer these days with tightly timed schedules. The WZL offers this opportunity.
We also try to promote exchange. For example, we noticed that at the evening event, a very large hall with big tables and ten to twelve seats, as in the past, hinders rather than promotes exchange. In contrast, the small niches and tables in the Würzburger Hofbräu proved to be excellent. Right from the outset, there arose a dynamic situation in which people pushed tables and chairs together and switched between groups. I realised then that this is what people want. In my opinion, making this possible is what distinguishes the WZL.
In order to keep our offer attractive and affordable, I always insisted that we work cost-covering and without profit, in order to maintain the favourable contribution level. I believe that due to this, in addition to the attractions of the city of Würzburg, many brickyard owners are happy to send their employees here.
Has the need for exchange and information increased? Or was the industry less sharing 30 years ago?
JD: I think both are true. There was more secrecy in the industry due to competition. That was also noticeable during the excursions. It was difficult to get into relevant companies. Therefore, we often visited other industries.
Among entrepreneurs, the awareness has now largely prevailed that it is better for one’s own business if the employees are informed and in exchange with one another.
What special moments do you remember fondly?
JD: Two situations come to mind spontaneously. About ten years ago, the organisation of the programme, such as ordering food and drinks or buses, was in other hands in-house. We at the LGA in Würzburg were only responsible for the planning. We had ordered three buses for the evening at the castle. After the lecture programme, I sent the participants to the buses in the car lots opposite the LGA. While everyone was going downstairs, I checked in the building if somebody had stayed behind. Following downstairs, I saw all 150 participants standing on the lot, but no buses. I couldn’t reach the bus company, but I had the number of one of the drivers. He told me that an offer for the buses had been made, but no order had been placed by our organiser. The buses had not been ordered at all. My heart dropped for a moment. 150 people wanted to eat and drink beer. Then I picked up the phone and just started calling. Within twelve or thirteen minutes I got three new buses. In the end it turned out well.
Another example: Someone knwoing that I play music privately persuaded me to perform at the WZL. Actually, I just play some keyboard for myself. Then Mr. Ruppik, who used to attend the advisory board, said he played guitar and his daughter sang. The Dutch said there was a drummer among them. We then got together, rehearsed once and performed at the 50th or 55th WZL as the “brick combo”. It was a beautiful and memorable evening.
What will happen next with the Würzburg Brick Course?
JD: My successor, Andreas Klarmann, will take over management and organisation. He has already been involved for several years. As an employee in my department, he also works in LGA Bautechnik and in material testing for bricks. He likes to organise, also privately, for example in the context of youth work. So he is ideally suited. He also has the right attitude and agreed immediately. For this task you need someone who is entirely committed. It gives me great reassurance that the succession has been clarified and, of that I am convinced, is in good hands.
What are you doing now?
JD: I retired on 1 June, but I can’t stop quite yet. I have a temporary contract with the LGA and will still help host the 60th WZL.
After that, my wife, who also retired in August, and I want to spend time in the nature. Two years ago we got ourselves e-bikes and a camper van. We want to cycle in the countryside here and also along the Rhine and Danube and stop wherever we like. I’m sure we’ll go up north to see the clinker facades.
Do you have any advice for your successor?
JD: He should find his own way. I can’t be more specific than that, because course management always depends on the person. I have gone my own way, following Rieseler: I wrote poems, addressed people, organised special events and made music. I have done well with this, as I know from the participants. I wish Andreas that his approach will meet with just as much success.
Will you continue to attend the Würzburg Brick Course?
JD: For sure, if I am in Würzburg, I would drop by. There is so much my heart and soul in it and a whole lifetime is attached to it. If the new people in charge invite me, even if it’s just to the evening event, I would love to come.
