With Frederik Koffent, M&S Umweltprojekt GmbH is gaining another member of the management team on 1 November 2025 who combines technical expertise with economic acumen. For many years, Frederik has shaped the development of the company with his commitment, professional competence and eye for the big picture. In this interview, he talks about his career at M&S, his motivation and the issues he would particularly like to focus on as a member of the management board in the future.

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Frederik, congratulations on your upcoming new role as a member of the management team! Tell us: How did your journey at M&S begin, and what attracted you to the company at the time?

My journey at M&S began rather unusually – I like to joke that I conducted my job interviews over a beer on the sofa. While studying industrial engineering in Dresden, I got to know Christoph Märtner through our shared passion for handball. When it came time for my mandatory internship, I asked him about an opportunity at M&S – the combination of civil engineering and environmental protection was a perfect fit for my interests

During my internship, I first learned the basics – drilling, sampling and analysis. I quickly realised that I felt very comfortable in this environment, but I also wanted to gain a better understanding of the engineering and business management side of the company. M&S offered me a longer internship, during which I gained insights into all departments – including working in the operational side of the business. This led to a position as a working student, focusing on landscape planning and environmental impact studies.

After completing my studies, I started a permanent position straight away and was confronted with exciting tasks right from the start that challenged my sense of responsibility and leadership skills. During this time, I have come to particularly appreciate the fact that M&S continues to give me the opportunity to combine my professional goals with my passion for environmental protection.

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Which stages or projects have had a particular impact on you in recent years?

I had the privilege of being able to contribute to complex expert reports as an intern and working student. However, the most formative experience was the first week in which I had to take over some of Christoph Märtner's tasks in the organisation of operational business and was responsible for the smooth running of day-to-day business.

What does your new role as a member of the management team mean to you personally? What are your priorities in your new role?

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Early on in my life, I knew that I wanted to take on a leading role in my professional career. The opportunity to directly shape a company and take on responsibility is particularly appealing. The good fortune and privilege of being able to do this in my home country, with close friends and in a field that fully corresponds to my personal interests, is invaluable.

I am honoured to have been entrusted with such an essential position in a family-run company, even though I am not a member of the family. The achievements of the company's first generation – our ‘old guard’ – are impressive, and I am proud to be able to carry on this legacy. One of my main focuses will be to follow in their footsteps and support Christoph in his vision of expanding the company. The aim is to translate visions into real structures and to maintain the character of a family business with personality despite the changes.

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When you think about the next few years, which topics are particularly close to your heart?

It is already clear why I chose M&S Umweltprojekt GmbH. It is the privilege of being able to reconcile professional ambitions with personal interests. That is why I would like to make it easy for myself when answering this question and quote our company slogan: ‘Focused on the future, holistically implemented.’

Finally, what motivates you personally in your work at M&S – and what would you like to say to your colleagues about our future together?

The motivation clearly lies in reconciling human life and activity with the demands of the environment as best as possible in order to preserve our livelihoods in the long term.

First and foremost, I would like to thank my colleagues at M&S. Without their personal and professional support over the last few years, I would not have been able to develop as I have. I would also like to ask for the same support in my new role. Together, we can strengthen the regions where our branches are located. We can solve the country's real problems and thus fulfil our global responsibility.

Frederik Koffent represents a new generation at M&S – characterised by commitment, foresight and the common goal of thinking ahead responsibly in the field of environmental technology.

Subproject 2: Innovative approaches to the planning and construction of underground water storage facilities

As part of the GRUWAS research project (“Holistic system for the construction and operation of underground water storage facilities – securing water resource management under climate change conditions”), we are working together with renowned partners toward a common goal: To strengthen sustainable water supply adapted to climate change, especially in southern Saxony and the Saxon low mountain range regions.

The special feature: In rural regions with complex hydrogeological conditions – such as shallow porous aquifers or fractured rock – classic systems such as swales or rainwater retention basins are not sufficient. Our focus is therefore on innovative, cost-efficient solutions that enable reliable storage and infiltration of precipitation water even under difficult conditions.

Our approach:

• Development of new technical concepts for heavy rainwater utilization directly at the site of occurrence

• Combination of numerical modeling, pilot tests on a field scale, and the use of environmentally friendly materials

• Holistic system analysis for effective and sustainable solutions

Our project partners:

• Dresden University of Technology, Institute for Groundwater Management 

• Wilfried Keßler Erdbau & Abbruch GmbH

• Dresden University of Applied Sciences, Department of Water Management

The FuE project is co-financed by the European Union and makes an important contribution to sustainable water management in times of climate change. We are proud to be involved in shaping this groundbreaking project.

On September 10 and 11, our Head of Marketing and Recruiting, Jan, attended Europe’s largest AI Festival in Berlin. For two days, the focus was on lectures, workshops, and discussions around Artificial Intelligence.

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For us, this participation was a valuable opportunity to gain insights into current developments and to take away impulses for our own work.

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As a company that has been implementing environmental projects for many years, we want to continuously evolve and remain open to new technologies. AI will increasingly play a role in our field as well – whether in data analysis, project management, or innovative approaches to sustainability.

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We look forward to incorporating these impressions into our work and continuing to shape projects in a future-oriented way.

On the evening of 1 October, a festive reception for the 35th German Unity Day was held at the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, organised by the German Embassy in Vilnius.

Our deputy office manager Sonata Aleksandravičienė (right in the picture) accepted the invitation from the German Embassy and attended the event on behalf of our subsidiary M&S Umweltprojekt Baltic. She took the opportunity to exchange ideas with representatives from politics, business, culture and science.

The celebration once again highlighted the close ties between Germany and Lithuania – and thus also the importance of international cooperation for sustainable development and joint future projects.

We are delighted to have been part of this special gathering and to have further strengthened the international perspective of our company.

M&S Umweltprojekt GmbH is pleased to announce that the project “Verbund-ANK-DAS-B.1: Adapted urban land-use planning for a water-sensitive urban district development in the city of Hof” has been successfully approved.

The project (funding reference: 67DABN041C), which runs from March 1, 2025, to August 31, 2027, is funded by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) based on a resolution of the German Bundestag. Funding for the project is based on the funding guideline "Measures to Adapt to the Consequences of Climate Change." The project sponsor is Zukunft – Umwelt – Gesellschaft (ZUG) gGmbH.

The goal of the project is to develop a holistic urban development plan for the city of Hof that will serve as a model for future urban districts. Specifically, innovative solutions for resilient, nature-based rainwater collection, drainage, storage, treatment, and infiltration will be implemented.

Using the example of the Trappenberg development area in Hof, a comprehensive concept is being developed together with the participating partners, the Competence Network Water and Energy eV and the Institute for Sustainable Water Systems at Hof University of Applied Sciences, which:

• defined a new urban land-use planning process (Phase 0),

• which applies the multi-level analysis developed at Hof University of Applied Sciences and

• nature-based solutions are integrated to create multifunctional, resilient urban districts.

M&S Umweltprojekt GmbH is responsible for the site survey and inventory and is actively involved in further project steps, including the analysis of nature-based solutions.

Link to BMUV -
Adaptation to climate change

Link to the project sponsor ZUG -
Promoting measures to adapt to the consequences of climate change

On June 12, 2025, M&S Umweltprojekt GmbH welcomed the Kompetenznetzwerk Wasser und Energie e.V. to its premises. After a warm welcome by the managing directors Mr. Friedl and Mr. Märtner, the participants were given exciting insights into the development and work of our company.

The focus was on a specialist presentation by Mr. Oplitz, project manager in the field of energy use and alternative energies. He explained the development of the energy sector since the construction of our central building in 2008 as well as the special architectural features in the context of energy optimization.

The professional exchange concluded with a guided tour of the historic Komturhof Plauen. We would like to thank the competence network for the visit and the enriching afternoon full of inspiration and discussions.

The city of Hof is launching a pioneering research project together with Hof University of Applied Sciences (INWA), the Water and Energy Competence Network and M&S Umweltprojekt GmbH: A new development area is to be created on Trappenberg that can serve as a model for climate-resilient district planning.

As a project partner, we are responsible for the geological inventory analysis and contribute our decades of expertise in the field of environmental and geotechnical engineering to the development of sustainable rainwater management.

A particular focus is on how water can be stored underground, evaporation losses reduced, and a secure supply ensured even in times of crisis. The site's hillside location and geological characteristics make it an ideal model area.

With this project, we are jointly setting standards for future urban development. The project runs from March 2025 to August 2027 and is funded by the Federal Ministry for the Environment with €400,000.

The deputy director of our subsidiary M&S Umweltprojekt Baltic in Lithuania, Ms. Sonata Aleksandravičienė, participated in the renowned “Waste” conference, which presented innovative solutions in the fields of waste management, environmental technology and the circular economy.

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Of particular note was the ideas fair, which showcased best practices from the international environmental sector – including topics such as electronics recycling, battery reuse and energy generation from non-recyclable waste.

For M&S Environmental Project Baltic, the event was a valuable platform for knowledge exchange, project presentations, and networking. Such formats strengthen our role as co-creators of sustainable engineering solutions and environmental policy developments – in Lithuania and across Europe.

We are pleased to announce that M&S Umweltprojekt GmbH will open a new office in Hanover on June 1, 2025. The contract has been signed, officially sealing the move.

Our current branch in Hameln will remain in operation until June 30, 2025, and will then be fully relocated to Hanover.

With the new location, we are further expanding our regional presence – and look forward to personally welcoming our customers in Hanover in the future.

As part of a project meeting, we were once again invited to the Siauliai Waste Management Association (SRATC) in Lithuania – a collaboration based on decades of trust and mutual appreciation.

Over 20 years ago, we assisted SRATC in the construction of the first landfill for municipal waste according to European environmental standards. As technical construction supervisor and FIDIC engineer, we were responsible for the quality and standards-compliant implementation of this pioneering project – a milestone for modern waste management in the region.

Since then, we have regularly supported the association in the further development of its waste disposal infrastructure and acted as a reliable partner in addressing technical challenges.

This successful cooperation is complemented by the existing town twinning between Plauen and Siauliai, which connects the people of both regions not only on a professional level but also on a cultural and sporting level.

From March 17 to 20, we visited our subsidiary M&S Umweltprojekt Baltic UAB in Lithuania. During this visit, we presented our work at three universities: VU Šiaulių Akademija, Vilnius Tech, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, and Vilnius University, Faculty of Geosciences.

Our goal was to give students insights into our company and our work and to show them how they can apply their technical knowledge in practice.

The focus was particularly on our sustainable engineering solutions and the opportunity to become part of our international projects through internships.

The direct exchange with young talents is important to us – because together we can shape the future more sustainably!
 

More on this:
https://www.sa.vu.lt/en/news/1821-a-unique-opportunity-for-students

Our employees travel by car every day—whether to construction sites, client meetings, or expert opinions. Your safety is our top priority! That's why our Bernau office near Berlin completed a driver safety training course with the Barnim District Road Safety Association on Monday.

In perfect weather conditions, dangerous situations were simulated under realistic conditions and proper vehicle handling was practiced. These regular training sessions not only help drivers confidently master critical situations but also increase awareness of safe and proactive driving.

As an employer, we invest specifically in the safety of our employees – for a safe journey, every day!

Our team is delighted to announce another qualification! Our graduate engineer Sven Opitz has successfully completed the municipal heat planning qualification course and passed all exams.

Municipal heat planning is a key building block for a sustainable energy future . Through our in-depth knowledge of planning, project coordination, stakeholder engagement, and data management, we are driving forward sustainable heat projects.

We're happy to advise you on sustainable heating projects and energy-efficient solutions. Contact us for more information!

About the service: Energy use

We are delighted that our colleague Jannis Csulits is now officially certified as an expert in alternative energies and energy efficiency in residential buildings!
With this expertise, he supports you in optimizing your building – sustainably, efficiently and economically.

His achievements at a glance:

• Energy consulting & individual optimization concepts

• GEG certificates & energy certificates

• Preparation of rehabilitation plans (iSFP)

• Energy-related construction support & funding advice

Do you have any questions or would you like to bring your property up to the latest energy standards? We'd be happy to advise you. Then contact us!

Learn more: Energy use

For over 30 years, we have stood for first-class engineering and laboratory services in the fields of environment, infrastructure and geotechnical engineering.
Our greatest success factor? Our team!

We offer exciting career opportunities for chemists, biologists, geoecologists, civil engineers, and many other specialists passionate about sustainable solutions. Innovative projects, modern technology, and attractive benefits await you.

We're continuing to grow! Discover our new careers page, our current openings, and become part of our team.

Apply now: karriere.mus-umweltprojekt.de

We are pleased to announce the relaunch of M&S Umweltprojekt GmbH and the publication of our new website ! With a modern design and improved user guidance, we not only present our services in a clearer and more user-friendly way, but also offer the opportunity to learn more about our company - under the About us tab you will find exciting insights into our vision, mission and management.
 

As part of the relaunch, we have expanded our service portfolio: In addition to our proven engineering and laboratory services, we now also offer species protection and training to enable comprehensive, sustainable solutions in the environmental and construction sectors.
 

In addition, a new career page is being created that will focus on our employer brand and offer potential applicants an authentic insight into our corporate culture.
 

We cordially invite you to explore our new website and get a comprehensive impression of our expanded offering and our company.