Mr. Röming, can you tell us a bit about your career path?
I started my professional journey with an apprenticeship at Rolf Kühl Papierhandels GmbH, where I got my first insights into the waste disposal industry. After completing my training, I was offered a position as a dispatcher. From there, I moved into field sales, working in both the logistics and food industries. After earning my business administration degree, I returned to Kühl—first as a junior manager, then later as deputy branch manager.

What led you to ZÖLLER-KIPPER?
I was first introduced to the company through an intermediary. But what ultimately convinced me was the open and honest communication. From the very beginning, our conversations were based on mutual trust, and that was a deciding factor for me.

What excites you most about your new role as Branch Manager South?
Definitely the variety! My role isn’t just about sales—it also involves working closely with different departments. I really enjoy that collaboration, and I believe that together, we can achieve great things.

What goals have you set for your new position and for 2025?
My main goal for 2025 and beyond is to strengthen customer relationships and strategically grow our customer base in Bavaria. There’s a lot of potential in this region, and we plan to tap into it through focused sales efforts and dependable service.

What’s most important to you in your interactions with colleagues?
For me, reliability and honesty are key. That’s why open, respectful, and transparent communication is so important. I want these values to be truly embraced and lived by everyone on the team. If we can trust each other and communicate openly, we’ll be able to achieve a lot together.

How do you like to spend your free time?
I love spending time with family and friends—that’s what matters most to me.

Do you have a personal motto or philosophy you live by?
Yes: “Just do it!” I believe in tackling things head-on instead of putting them off. It saves a lot of stress—both professionally and personally!

ZÖLLER-KIPPER expands its portfolio with a majority stake in MOWA Mobile Waschanlagen GmbH.

A new addition to the ZÖLLER-KIPPER family: On January 1, 2025, the company acquired a 51% stake in MOWA Mobile Waschanlagen GmbH, further solidifying its position as a leading provider of cleaning solutions for waste containers.
Founded in 1993 by Jürgen Przybylski, MOWA has become a key player in the industry, offering both mobile and stationary cleaning systems for waste collection containers. Its comprehensive portfolio includes innovative solutions for cleaning all types of waste containers, from compact mobile units to large-scale stationary systems and specialized vehicles for different container sizes. Quality, reliability, and cutting-edge technology are the foundation of MOWA’s philosophy—values that align perfectly with ZÖLLER-KIPPER’s corporate strategy.

With this acquisition, ZÖLLER-KIPPER is not only ensuring MOWA’s long-term success and the further development of its proven technologies but also preserving its valuable expertise. To maintain continuity and knowledge within the company, all MOWA employees have been retained.

The majority stake also brings a reorganization of the management team. As of January 1, 2025, Marc Przybylski, son of long-time Managing Director Jürgen Przybylski, has taken over as Managing Director and CEO. He is joined by Alexander Kaiser, Head of Controlling at ZÖLLER-KIPPER, who has assumed the role of CFO at MOWA.

Alexander Kaiser highlights the strategic importance of this partnership: “Together, we can offer our customers an even more comprehensive range of services. One of MOWA’s key specializations is the cleaning of underground containers, a service previously missing from the ZOELLER Group’s portfolio. By combining our expertise and resources, we aim to set new benchmarks in efficiency and sustainability. MOWA’s cleaning systems can be integrated with various drive concepts—including CNG-powered trucks, electric chassis, and even hydrogen-powered vehicles, all of which have already been successfully implemented. We are also focusing on optimizing water consumption, which remains a top priority in the further development of our products.”

Now, MOWA and ZÖLLER-KIPPER are rolling up their sleeves to drive technical innovation and expand their offerings. Both companies share a strong commitment to customer service, making it a cornerstone of their corporate philosophy.

Marc Przybylski, CEO of MOWA Mobile Waschanlagen GmbH, shares his excitement: “Together, we have the opportunity to access new markets, attract new customers, and push forward with product innovation. With over 30 years of experience in container cleaning, we provide a one-stop solution for a wide range of waste collection systems. This is our strength, and now we are combining it with the structure of ZÖLLER-KIPPER. Thanks to their extensive service network, we will also be much more accessible to our existing customers than ever before.”

Dittmar Walther works in the service department at ZÖLLER-KIPPER – among other things, he transfers vehicles, gives demonstrations and briefings. In the last week of March, he was on the road on a very special mission: road safety education.

As part of the “Blicki blickt’s” initiative, ZÖLLER-KIPPER visited several elementary schools in Mainz with a MEDIUM X2 on a Mercedes Actros. The goal was to give children the chance to experience large vehicles up close and learn about dangers such as long braking distances and blind spots. But Dittmar Walther also gained a new perspective.

The longest trip was probably from the ZÖLLER factory to the school. Not much driving after that, right?

That’s true, but the kids would have loved to go for a ride. One boy climbed into the cab, sat down, and looked at me expectantly: “Okay, we’re ready to go.” I asked him, “How much time do you have?”

And?

No, no—we stayed put. I was there to answer questions in the cab and keep an eye on the children. It’s amazing what they’re curious about. They wanted to know how much metal is used in a truck like this, what the ‘A’ sign means, and whether the truck runs on diesel or electricity. And all those buttons! What do they do? One kid even told me he could already drive a tractor.

And the blind spot?

That definitely got a lot of “oohs” and “ahhs” and left an impression on every child. No matter how far they leaned forward—even pressing their noses against the windshield—they simply couldn’t see their classmates standing in front of the truck. The same went for the rearview mirrors.

Admittedly, we had to mask off a few safety features on our Actros so that we didn’t spoil the “demonstration effect”.

The really clever ones had of course also noticed the camera – and remarked you could just see the others on the screen … But not every truck has as many safety assistants as we do.

I explained that while we have cameras, many trucks don’t, so they shouldn’t assume a driver can see them.

Did these “school days” change how you see road traffic?

I drive a lot, and I really enjoy it. But I’m always very aware of how dangerous a truck can be. You have to be 100 percent focused behind the wheel and always think ahead—not just because of the kids, but because of the adults too.

The games we played to illustrate braking distances were interesting. Some kids thought a truck’s stopping distance at 50 km/h was just two meters—when in reality, it’s 25 meters!

So, you’ll be back for the next Blicki workshop?

Of course! I think it’s a great initiative to teach kids about traffic dangers in a hands-on way. It’s definitely something worth supporting. I also feel that because kids today are driven around so much, they have less awareness of traffic. That’s why programs like Blicki are so important!

ZÖLLER-KIPPER COO Markus Dautermann shared similar thoughts when handing out participation certificates to the children: “Blicki is a cause close to our hearts—both as a company and for me personally. We want to help protect road users, especially the most vulnerable: children. In urban areas, encounters with 26-ton trucks are relatively rare, aside from the occasional garbage truck. That’s why education and awareness are so important. Unfortunately, we’ve all seen how serious road accidents can be. Every accident we can prevent is a success.”

Successful completion: The children of the Martinus School in Mainz-Weisenau with their teacher, the Blicki pedagogue and Vanessa Platz. She looks after the needs of pedestrians in Mainz. They are followed by Blicki himself, Markus Dautermann, COO ZÖLLER-KIPPER and also from the City of Mainz Janina Steinkrüger, Christian Kron, Head of Traffic Management and Sevim Turna.

You can read more about ZÖLLER-KIPPER’s commitment to road safety and Blicki blickt’s here.

The Rosenmontag parade in Mainz is one of the three biggest in Germany—and it leaves behind a huge mess. Thankfully, the city of Mainz, home to ZÖLLER-KIPPER, counts on ZOELLER vehicles to tackle the clean-up.

By 4 a.m., while most Narren are still fast asleep, the Mainz municipal cleaning service is already hard at work. The first crews begin clearing up the remnants of Sunday’s celebrations—because Rosenmontag isn’t the only parade in town, explains Thomas Strack from Kommunalen Abfallwirtschaft Mainz und Mainz-Bingen.
“We also spread sawdust on steep or slippery sections of the route to make them safer for the horses. Plus, we drive along the entire route in advance to remove any bulky waste that’s been illegally dumped along the way.”

Cleaning Up the Narrentreiben

At exactly 11:11 a.m., the legendary nine-kilometer-long Rosenmontagszug begins. For nearly four hours, the “närrische Lindwurm,” as it’s affectionately called in Mainz, winds its way through the city. The route may have changed slightly over the years, but one thing stays the same: the mountains of trash left behind.
“Around 600,000 visitors crowd along the route, and in all the excitement, they don’t bother looking for a trash can. Everything just ends up on the ground,” says Thomas Strack. That’s why the city’s cleaning crews are always close behind the festivities. A total of 120 workers, divided into four teams, tackle the clean-up from multiple directions.

“Imagine it like this,” explains Strack. “Up front, there’s complete chaos. Then, about 200 meters behind, you have a long convoy of road sweepers, wheel loaders, bulky waste trucks, and workshop vehicles. And once we’re done, the street looks spotless again.”

Swept, Scrubbed, and Spotless

From abandoned camping chairs and beer crates to cardboard boxes and tiny candy wrappers—first, everything is gathered into piles by hand and then loaded onto bulk waste trucks with wheel loaders. Next, both large and small sweepers move in, and finally, a water tanker washes down the streets. This routine has been fine-tuned over the years, ensuring that Mainz is left spotless once the celebrations end.
Only a few sections of the city center remain uncleared until the following morning, simply because the crowds make it impossible for cleaning vehicles to get through.
And then, there are the übermütige Narren who make the job even harder. “Every year, there are people who try to climb into the wheel loader’s bucket for a joyride,” says Strack.
Another challenge? The Kernzone of the Rosenmontagszug is supposed to be a glass-free zone, but bottles still find their way onto the streets—and under the tires of the cleaning vehicles. In 2025 alone, several tires had to be replaced due to glass-related damage.

A Tradition of Appreciation

By around 6 p.m., the cleaning teams take a well-earned break. As tradition dictates, everyone gathers in the foyer of Mainz City Hall, where the Oberbürgermeister personally thanks the city’s cleaning crews for their hard work.
By 9 p.m., the job is done. In total, around 90 tonnes of waste are cleared from the streets, and Mainz is left spotless.

Photo credits: Kommunale Abfallwirtschaft Mainz und Mainz-Bingen AöR

Lots of clever solutions from container detection and increasing the recyclable material rate to citizen communication: the 63rd edition of K>Mobil is about AI in waste management. Also covered:

ZÖLLER-KIPPER’s new service centre in Berlin

The role of ZOELLER GROUP vehicles in the national strategy for integrated waste management in the United Arab Emirates

The French rental and second-hand vehicle business

Click here for the digital issue: K>Mobil Winter Edition 2024

Enjoy reading!

Waste not only often smells bad, sometimes its bioaerosols can even be dangerous. With the innovative CLEAN Option filter system, ZÖLLER-KIPPER has averted this risk.

Waste has always stunk. It smells of butyric acid and rotten vegetables, of rotten eggs, ammonia and acetic acid, sweetly of decomposition and musty when mould is also involved. In short: everything that bacteria and organic chemistry can produce in the absence of air. An olfactory explosive gas mixture… No wonder that waste disposal has never been one of the most popular jobs.
A large proportion of the so-called bioaerosols, as the gas mixture is technically known, simply smells unpleasant. However, the situation is different for the fine dust, mould spores or microorganisms such as viruses that it may contain. Inhaled in high concentrations, these can actually make you ill.

Decades of research
As early as 1994, the German Social Accident Insurance Institution for the public sector in North Rhine-Westphalia and its predecessor institutions carried out extensive investigations and measurements to determine the exposure of refuse workers to mould fungi and ways of reducing it. The impetus for this was a case of respiratory disease in a refuse worker, which was thought to have been caused by his job – a case that caused considerable concern among experts and the general public alike. Many investigations and measurements followed to determine the exposure to mould fungi and ways to reduce it. The results of the investigations and the recommendations derived from them were incorporated into the TRBA 213 ‘Waste Collection – Protective Measures’ in 2005. However, follow-up investigations in 2013 and 2014 showed that there is still plenty of room for improvement in terms of clean air.

Innovation: an air curtain protects against pollutants
In 2015, the Closed Substance Cycle Waste Management Act followed, according to which biowaste is to be collected separately. And it was also in 2015 that the large number of studies and papers on the subject encouraged the engineers at ZÖLLER-KIPPER to take a closer look at the topic. ‘In the past, there were odour control spray systems at the rear to ‘drown out’ odours and spray mist systems to bind dust. Furthermore, there were also simple extraction systems,’ explains Sascha Wucher, Product Manager at ZÖLLER-KIPPER.
But only a combination of an air curtain and a 3-stage filtration proved to be really effective. The engineers spent about a year working on it, repeatedly simulating the spread of bioaerosols in the air using theatrical fog. This resulted in scenes reminiscent of a movie, with thick plumes of fog billowing out of the back of the waste refuse vehicle, spreading and eventually enveloping everything…

Effective with the DEKRA seal of quality
‘The tests were very informative in helping us to understand the interaction between the extraction system and the air curtain,’ says Sascha Wucher. ’After a year of development, we were able to present the first prototype at IFAT in 2016.’
This is how the system works: ‘At the rear of the vehicle, the environment is practically sealed off to the rear, because CLEAN Option works like an air curtain that counteracts the escape of bioaerosols from the vehicle. CLEAN Option consists of filter elements for coarse and fine dust, as well as an activated carbon element to eliminate odours. A radial fan blows outside air at an air pressure of up to 800 Pascals into the rear part of the vehicle, creating a slight vacuum here, i.e. directly in the refuse collector’s working area. Before being released into the environment, the extracted air is cleaned by a cyclone pre-filter to separate coarse dust and an integrated element made of fine dust filter with activated carbon. The system’s functionality was verified in extensive tests. The result is a significant reduction of harmful air in the garbage collectors‘ workspace.’ In a 16-page report, DEKRA also certifies the effectiveness of the air filter. Since then, garbage collectors and passers-by alike can breathe a sigh of relief.

The Bremen city cleaning service is setting a clear example for climate protection and sustainability. In November, it presented its electric mobility strategy and part of the new e-fleet right in front of the townhall in the heart of the city. The fleet includes a Micro HG on FLUX and an X4 on Volvo Electric. 

The weather is changeable, but dry, in northern Germany, and the viewer is briefly reminded of the Bremen Town Musicians – just as the four vehicles are lined up in front of the townhall according to size. Not on top of each other, of course, but next to each other. And unlike the four rebellious fairy-tale animals, these ‘musicians’ are also very quiet.

ELEON, eSwingo 200+, FLUX and the Volvo ELECTRIC are to be used in both street cleaning and waste collection in the future and are the first in Bremen’s e-fleet. All eyes and the attention of the press are on them as the Bremer Stadtreinigung officially presents its electric mobility strategy together with the vehicles.

Kathrin Moosdorf, Senator for the Environment, Climate and Science, says: ‘The electric vehicles from DBS (Die Bremer Stadtreinigung) are not only an important contribution to keeping the city clean, but also to protecting the climate. They do not emit any pollutants or greenhouse gases into the city air, and they are also quiet. The fact that the fleet is gradually being converted to electric vehicles is an important step towards making Bremen climate-neutral by 2038.’

The fantastic four for a better carbon footprint

As part of its ‘Integrated Climate Protection Concept’, DBS has prepared a greenhouse gas balance in accordance with international standards. The result: a significant portion of the emissions in the transport sector is caused by the use of fossil fuels in the approximately 260 waste collection and street cleaning vehicles. In 2023, the fleet consumed approx. 1.3 million litres of diesel – a figure that the company wants to significantly reduce in the coming years.

Bremer Stadtreinigung has been working with ZÖLLER-KIPPER for many years. And of course, all vehicles are customised according to customer requirements anyway – but the Kombi Micro HG and FLUX is a very special one. Bernd Schmidt, Head of Sales, North Branch: ‘It is the first time that we have built a FLUX in and for Germany. A special customer request.’ FLUX is a Swiss company specialising in small electric commercial vehicles in the sprinter class. The two FLUX chassis have a Micro HG for emptying paper baskets at bus stops, in pedestrian zones and in parks throughout the city.

Also among the founding members of the e-fleet: an X4 on Volvo. Volker Ernst, managing director of Beteiligungsgesellschaft Abfalllogistik Bremen GmbH (ALB) is visibly proud: ‘We are proud to present our first fully electric refuse collection vehicle. The Volvo ELECTRIC has a ZÖLLER superstructure and has been used daily in refuse collection since 10 June 2024. The battery capacity is 375 kWh – which is currently sufficient for a full day of use. The employees are enthusiastic because the vehicle is reliable and quiet. It also reduces CO2 emissions by 25 to 30 tonnes per year. Another step towards a climate-friendly fleet.’ It sounds like the e-fleet will soon be growing and the four musicians will become a whole Bremen city orchestra.

The new plant in Berlin is actually the old one. However, in the summer of 2024 it was expanded and reorganised. The result after the first 100-plus days: extremely encouraging.

X-Family, the Micros and the MAGNUM XXL, plus the Service Branch East and even the FAUN Customer Centre: despite a total of 7,000 square metres, things were starting to get quite cramped in Rigistrasse in Berlin. With the greater need for kit assembly in Germany, it quickly became clear that additional space was needed. This was found at the beginning of the year in the immediate vicinity of the site on Malteserstrasse. Conveniently, it was an existing property that was ready for occupancy in the summer after a little renovation work. With more space for trucks, more customer parking spaces, excellent transport links and additional workstations in the workshop. In just two weeks, the service branch, customer centre and the special construction area moved with the Micro HG from ZOELLER. The latter now has plenty of room to grow. And the colleagues from the rear loader assembly line on Malteserstrasse are pleased about the extra space and new capacities. ‘They can now use the full 1,800 m² of the hall for assembly. Before it was 1,200 square metres,’ explains Markus Dautermann, COO ZOELLER GROUP.

More efficiency through focus on material flow
The company invested in an extension of the exhaust system and a new layout with a focus on material flow. This means that there is now more space for assembly, manoeuvring losses are minimised and additional space has been created for material supply, thus reducing distances. ‘All in all, this has led to higher assembly capacity with optimised throughput time,’ says Dautermann. ‘There are now half as many vehicles in the yard, yet output has increased.’

Jürgen Kowalke, Head of Sales and Service in Germany, explains: ‘The reorganisation has shortened delivery times and ensured even better adherence to delivery dates. Delivery quality has also been improved because there is now space to match orders even more meticulously.’ But there is something else that pleases the sales team, in addition to all the efficiency: ‘Vehicle handovers can now take place in a more pleasant setting!’

Lots of networking, presentations, and of course plenty of vehicles to get hands-on with—at the beginning of September, ZOELLER-KIPPER was once again a guest at North Rhine-Westphalia’s largest outdoor trade exhibition. A successful and varied event—even if for the first time, dark clouds loomed this year.

Where usually brakes on wet roads, cornering, and controlled skidding are practised, the municipal sector gathered for the tenth time on the 4th and 5th of September. A small anniversary for the networking event organised by WFZ Ruhr, the Business Development Centre Ruhr, a consortium of private and municipal waste disposal companies in the region. However, the industry event is now well known beyond the region, with over 1,000 trade visitors in September 2024, and 87 exhibitors showcasing everything the industry needs: from clothing and software to commercial vehicles of all weight classes, both alternative and conventionally powered.

From ZOELLER-KIPPER, the showcase included: a current MINI with an Omega 359 on a Mercedes Benz Atego – the specialist for narrow streets, dense development, and parked cars – nicknamed the “the agile city runabout.” Also featured was a MAGNUM XXL with skip loading as well as fresh from the factory, a current MEDIUM X4 on Designwerk, based on the Mercedes Benz Econic, with a Delta 2322. A “loan” from AVEA. For the waste disposal company from Leverkusen, this vehicle marks a premiere: the first fully electric refuse collection vehicle in their fleet, essentially meant to dispose of waste, which will later be used to generate energy—also for its batteries.

Heavenly Contribution to the Discussion
Overall, it was once again a very successful event, says Dirk Müller, a sales representative for the West branch. “We were on site with four to six people in changing shifts, had loads of good conversations… But if I were to sum it up succinctly, I’d say ‘between wellies and sandals.’ For the first time since we’ve been participating, it rained. And what rain! The first day saw torrential downpours. The next day was then bright sunshine.”
One might almost think that the weather gods wanted to contribute to the panel discussion, which focused on technologies for the mobility transition—alternative drives, hydrogen, bio-CNG, and e-mobility.