Medium-scale machinery manufactory with world market potential

Based on a modest craft workshop set up by his father in 1946, Elmar Sperrfechter has built up a machinery manufacturing company since 1972 which, although of moderate size, has acquired a high international reputation. The company began to concentrate at a very early stage on research, development, testing and production of processes and machinery systems for wet concrete spraying technology.

Principal areas of application for this process are tunnel, shaft and drain building and the construction and lining of other hollow subsurface areas where soil conditions are difficult. “SPERNO” systems have also achieved excellent results in coal and ore mining, particularly in difficult tunnel-driving operations and pit shoring.

The “SPERNO” wet concrete spray technique is notable not only for its ability to produce an on-the-spot lining rapidly during building and civil engineering works, but also an account of its economical use of energy resources – an essential feature for any process today – its ability to reduce consumption of expensive materials such as cement, concrete, steel and formwork-timber to a minimum and reduced physical burden (for instance a considerable reduction in the risk of inhaling dust) borne by the operating personal, this aspect having received particular praise from trade and other experts.

Elmar Sperrfechter himself has been appointed a member of various germane expert committees for wet concrete processing and civil engineering technology. His opinions are highly valued in scientific, mining and civil engineering circles.

At an early stage, starting about 1975, he formed close links with specialist intuitions, manufactures of machinery and organisations supporting advanced research and development work for instance a co-operation contract with the Hungarian cool-mine-company in 1977.

Up to the privatisation of the Hungarian company, 38 units of wet-concrete machinery are already in operation. 65km of hollow subsurface, cross section from 12 to 76m², has been reconstructed. Achieved an increasing breakthrough, approximately 40.000m² concrete ceiling, beams and columns, 4 railway-tunnels, cooling-towers and other civil-objects where reconstructed by the “SPERNO” technology.

In co-operation with the University of Budapest, Prof. Halás, Institute for Construction and Steel concrete the scientific work was dimensioned, tested, utilised and has now a great potential knowledge on this field speciality. Therefore now we are in a situation to offer specialised technology for underground- and civil projects.

“SPERNO” is one of many typical small and medium-sized companies in Baden – Wuerttenberg Germany, which have proved capable of meeting international market standards.