Leading With Passion and Continuance

New year, new global catastrophe: The coronavirus pandemic illustrated the vulnerability of globalized societies. At Drees & Sommer, we used digital tools to keep teams connected and projects moving, even in challenging times.  

The buildings of tomorrow already exist: We use integrated solutions, like serial refurbishment, to make existing buildings fit for the future.

Climate impact also intensified. The EU acted with the Green Deal, which pressures companies and organizations to change. We support clients with ESG requirements and technologies, including green hydrogen and deep geothermal energy.

Sustainability and Digitalization

This decade was dominated by environmental issues and digitalization. We developed Building Information Modeling (BIM), Lean Construction Management (LCM®), and circular economy approaches for construction and real estate.  

Another megatrend: urban mobility. We focused on the rising demands for healthy, user-friendly real estate and urban neighborhoods. We pursued our international growth strategy by adding locations in Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and the Gulf region.

By 2019, 3,820 Dresos generated nearly 500.1 million euros in revenue. 

The 00s: Sustainable Foundations 

New investment strategies skyrocketed, from international investments, yield-oriented thinking, and trading in large real estate packages. Technical due diligence projects boomed as Dresos determined the life cycle costs of real estate for private-public partnership (PPP) projects.  

With the new millennium, sustainability entered public discourse. We developed economical solutions for energy-efficient construction. We became a founding member of the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB).  

During this period, we opened offices in Bremen, Hanover, Kiel, Nuremberg, Dubai, Beijing, Shanghai, Budapest, Warsaw, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Barcelona, Basel, Brussels, Istanbul, Copenhagen, Milan, , and Zurich.  

By 2009, 1,120 Dresos generated nearly 145 million euros in revenue.

Expansion

Projects became more complex. We consulted users, coordinated with authorities, and organized architectural competitions. We expanded our service portfolio to include project management and infrastructure development.  

In 1992, Drees & Sommer AG was founded. The previously separate limited liability companies were affiliated, and the former managing directors became partners and shareholders in the AG. Eastern European expansion followed with offices opening in Berlin, Dresden, Erfurt, Leipzig, Vienna, and Bucharest.

By 1999, 560 employees generated 85 million euros in revenue.   

Technology-Driven Growth

In the early 1980s, we experienced rapid growth thanks to software-based scheduling and cost planning. Engineers examined the building operations and consulted clients on energy and cost-effectiveness. The partnership system has been in place since 1988. Partners manage individual locations entrepreneurially under shared rules. New offices opened in Hamburg and Frankfurt.

By 1989, 180 Dresos generate a turnover of 20 million euros. 

Pioneer Spirit

In the early 1970s, we integrated a new method of network planning into our construction projects. This was a breakthrough for the industry. Deadlines could be planned much more accurately. Construction became safer and more economical. The first office in Stuttgart was followed by others in Düsseldorf, Munich, and Cologne, as well as the first international project offices in Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

By 1979, 30 employees generated 3 million euros in revenue.