Starting over!
at the end of September, I shall be leaving Bauverlag and “my” trade journal Zi Brick and Tile International to take on a new professional challenge, which I am looking forward to very much.
19 years with Zi has been a very long and formative time. What experiences we have shared: good and bad times, ever new requirements in environment protection, years of rising standards for thermal insulation and the backing bricks adapted to these; the introduction of digital printing in facing brick industry; the increased demand for brick slips and investment in the production technology needed for this, ever larger and more ingenious roofing tiles in a wide range of shapes and colours; slowing and booming markets worldwide, and much more.
It was an exciting time, shaped especially by the togetherness, with brickmakers, plant engineers and suppliers but also with associations, research institutes and universities. It’s just like being in a family: Everyone knows and likes each other , or not, making each other’s life difficult or working together on the challenges facing us all. For me, from the many professional contacts, friendships have grown, and it was never boring.
2020 will go down in history as the corona year, months of home officing; no meetings or events. Almost all important events and opportunities to meet have been cancelled. Unfortunately, the Zi student excursion, which is very close to my heart, is not taking place this year either. I am very happy, however, that the ABC-Klinkergruppe wants to welcome the excursion in 2021.
I am also happy that my successor Silvio Schade, a long-standing colleague from Bauverlag, and Wolfgang Deil, who is very familiar with the brick industry, are taking over the journal. Please put your trust in my colleagues.
Dear readers, it has always been a great joy and honour to write for you, with you and about you. I thank you most sincerely for the loyalty you have shown me and wish you all the best, health, personal happiness and, of course, great success in achieving your professional and business goals.
Last but not least, I should like to thank my entire Zi team, and especially Sabine Anton, for the many years of their fantastic support. Without you, all is nothing. Together, you are Zi, carry on as always!
Most of you will have heard Willi Bender’s saying: “Once you’ve touched clay, then you stick to it for ever.” He has never been more right! I am leaving the journal, but I am remaining true to the clay brick and tile industry and I look forward to seeing some of you again in my new job.
Yours sincerely
Anett Hümmer
