On the first weekend in December, from December 3 to 4, 2016, the ERFA group met at Zimmermann & Löll in Asslar. In addition to an informative seminar on human resources, the weekend included a tour of the company and the redesigned Wetzlar cemetery.
Twice a year, in spring and fall, the ERFA group – a group of eight stonemasons who came together over ten years ago – meets for a weekend at a stonemasonry company. “The special thing about the meetings is the exchange between the stonemasons and the visits to the various companies, as well as the experts’ critical view of the companies’ tasks, operational and personnel management and order processing,” explains Marion Övermöhle-Mühlbach from Naturstein Mühlbach.
In December, the company Zimmermann & Löll in Asslar – a natural stone specialist for gravestones, kitchens, bathrooms, exclusive interior design as well as gardening and landscaping – welcomed the ERFA group. On Saturday morning, coach Heiko T. Ciesinski led the seminar “More success through motivated employees” and trained the stonemasons in human resources management. “He told us what to look out for in employee management, how to retain employees and how to keep your business attractive,” Övermöhle-Mühlbach explains. The group then explored the city center of Wetzlar.
The next day, the stonemasons visited the new Wetzlar cemetery. Together with tradespeople, the cemetery administration transformed the cemetery into a memorial garden. In addition to a green urn field, many details adorn the newly designed cemetery, which was previously characterized by urn fields and tree burials. The participants were able to take away many new ideas. At the end of the day, the group was invited on an informative tour of the company and were able to gain an insight into the processing technologies and traditional craftsmanship of the stonemasons.
The next ERFA meeting will take place from March 4 to 5, 2017 at the company Bächt Gestaltung in Stein in Naumburg.