Dear Sir

I got to know the Mühlhäuser Company in 1961 through my job on the San Bernardino Tunnel where, fresh out of university, I was responsible for the machinery. It was there I realised the importance of logistics at these construction sites. It was the beginning of my vocation – the art of organisation and logistics.

In 1968, the era of TBMs began. Mühlhäuser was considered market leader for rolling stock for underground projects and started to develop one-track back-up systems behind TBMs. After witnessing the first use of the Habegger TBM in Switzerland, I learned the problems associated with logistics and was primed for self-employment. In 1972, I started to develop double-track back-up systems and founded a company with a partner.

My first direct encounter with Mühlhäuser was in 1977, during procurement of a TBM installation for the Druckstollen Sölk Donnersbach, Steiermark. The project needed a LEWA high performance double-track back-up system and a side dumper, but to use these narrow wagons had to be developed. My business partner and I managed to secure the order against our competitors – the Mühlhäuser Company.

It was at the 1979 tunnelling exhibition in Basel, where we were both exhibiting, that Mühlhäuser came to visit our stand and I met Heinz-Peter for the first time. We met often after that and I came to know Heinz-Peter as a competent and ambitious business man. A short while later I dissolved my business partnership and in 1980 established Rowa.

At the end of the 1970s, ROWA got the order for development and delivery of a back-up installation for the two tunnels at Walgau, Vorarlberg. To fulfil a catalogue of client requirements we had to embark on new and innovative advances. These developed into an enjoyable cooperation with Mühlhäuser, whom I came to appreciate as a good friend. The things we learnt at the Walgau project bore fruits all over the world. The new thinking and working methods that proved themselves at the project are still in use today.

In 1980, I developed the Rotacar at the request of K Jäger Schruns, for the Hintermuhr project. I received the order for a high performance back-up system, on condition that the Rotacars would be made and delivered by Mühlhäuser. This condition was accepted and led to a furthering of the collaboration between Heinz-Peter and myself.

When I think back to one of our biggest shared business successes, I have until now only ever said “a friend” introduced me to the British market. This friend was actually Heinz-Peter Mühlhäuser. He took me along to a meeting in England and once again proved to have lots of tact and intuition and our companies got the order for the UK Channel Tunnel effort. The Mühlhäuser Company would deliver all of the rolling stock and ROWA the six TBM back-ups, based on cost-effective two rail back-up systems.

In 2000 I retired, and in 2002 sold Rowa Engineering. Now, in 2007, the Mühlhäuser Company is celebrating its 100-year anniversary and Heinz-Peter his 70th birthday. We don’t see each other as often as we used to, but I am very happy and grateful that I got to know him so well. Heinz-Peter always followed his goals; he always saw what had to be done and did it.

My congratulations Heinz-Peter on this double anniversary and all the best for good health and continuing success for the company.

Regards

Robert Wälti
Founder and former MD of ROWA