Revolution in foundation construction: Concreting made entirely redundant
26.05.2014KRINNER has revolutionised the construction industry with reusable ground screws and tailor-made solutions. Using special machines, the family-owned business drives galvanised and one hundred per cent environmentally friendly screws into all soil types – regardless whether for traffic signs, carports or solar power systems. Internationally, Krinner Schraubfundamente GmbH is now focussing on the worldwide installation of ground-mounted photovoltaic systems and has to date installed more than 1,500 megawatts peak (MWp) of solar power. This corresponds to a larger nuclear power plant or five coal-fired power plants. The company, which is based in Lower Bavaria, Germany, develops the required special machinery itself and has already filed more than 150 patents.
Klaus Krinner thinks practically, has no time to waste and prefers to invent sustainable solutions. In 1989, the annual battle with his Christmas tree stand annoyed him so much that he invented a simple and excellently performing cable technology. When he had to install a rotary washing line in his garden during the mid-90s, he looked for a means of construction that did not rely on concrete or cause any damage to the natural environment. This is how Krinner came to invent concrete-free foundations. Today, roughly 20 years later, the differently sized screws support solar power systems, containers, playground equipment and street signs around the world.
“Innovation is our daily business” Drones or special machines survey the ground using GPS, high-tech machines drive the foundations into the ground, the screws are turned and keep the foundations firmly in place – concreting is thus made entirely redundant. There is no more waiting until the concrete dries and it’s easy to pull out the posts again: quick, practical and above all one hundred per cent sustainable.
This is because the foundations can be removed from the ground without leaving any remains, which is especially advantageous with temporary structures. “We save time, protect the environment and are incredibly efficient,” sums up Krinner and emphasises that they have tailor-made solutions for all customers. “Innovation is our daily business,” explains Klaus Krinner, who still works daily on other inventions.
Successful internationalisation process
Since 2007, the family-owned company from Lower Bavaria, Germany, has been extending its focus to include the installation of PV power plants. When the solar power market in Germany began to flounder and many companies in the industry found themselves in financial difficulties, Krinner Schraubfundamente GmbH quickly recognised the enormous opportunities available in the growing foreign markets. In 2013, the proportion of foreign business increased to 75 per cent. An increase of more than 90 per cent is even expected for 2014. KRINNER is currently concentrating on the growing solar power industry in North and South America, Asia and Europe, whereby the current focus is particularly on large-scale solar power plants in France, Japan and Chile.
High-tech machines for sustainable solutions
Machines with advanced technology are continually being further developed at the company headquarters in Lower Bavaria, Germany. Thanks to 30 different special devices, up to four megawatts peak (MWp) of solar power can be currently installed each day, which corresponds to the size of ten football fields. The mounting frames offer flexible solutions for specific soil conditions, ground slopes and specific wind or snow loads. So far KRINNER has installed photovoltaic systems with a total output comparable to a larger nuclear power plant or five coal-fired power plants. After all, the aim is to help generate energy that is as economic, ecological and sustainable as possible, says Klaus Krinner in summing up.
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