Mr. Schmidt, what does heritage conservation have to do with a device blasting surfaces at high pressure?

If you simply “blast surfaces at high pressure,” it usually backfires. Historic materials such as sandstone, brick, or old wood have developed a natural protective layer over decades or even centuries, which can easily be destroyed by improper handling. With delicate ornaments or old inscriptions, high pressure can simply “erase” details. Once blasted away, the historical information is lost forever. The goal is always to preserve the original substance.

How has the technology, you sell, changed over the past 30 years, particularly with regard to the demands of heritage conservation?

Thanks to more modern switching valves and optimised switching times, the dreaded “run-on effect” or uncontrolled pressure peaks are now a matter of the past. Today we can control the blasting process very precisely. This allows us to start and stop the jet exactly where needed, protecting sensitive structures.

In the past, the range of blasting media was limited and often too aggressive. Today we offer an enormous variety of specialised blasting granulates. Whether extremely soft walnut shell granulate, ultra-fine glass powder, or mineral spherical grains — we can adapt the medium precisely to the hardness and porosity of the historic surface, from soft sandstone to antique oak beams.

Gentler working methods benefit not only the object but also the user. Significantly more ergonomic blasting guns make it possible to guide the tool with less fatigue and greater precision. Those who tire less work more carefully — and that ultimately protects the monument from human error.

Photo: Schmidt Sandstrahltechnik GmbH

How has this affected your presence at denkmal?

In the past, blasting was often seen as a symbol of rough work. Today, even very delicate work is possible. Changing this perception among visitors has been — and still is — the challenge.

After all, you have been an exhibitor from the very beginning and have been present in Leipzig at every edition since the first denkmal in 1994. That also speaks to a successful company history. What is the basis of your company’s success?

Every monument is unique. That’s why we don’t sell off-the-shelf equipment. We listen carefully to the specific questions and requirements of our customers. Our staff are not theorists in suits — they know everyday life on construction sites and the challenges of different materials from their own practical experience. The key factor that distinguishes us as a family business from a large corporation is our ability to truly listen, respond to individual customer needs, and develop practical solutions. In heritage conservation there is no one-size-fits-all solution, because every building, every stone, and every type of wood has its own history and therefore its own requirements.

Photo: Schmidt Sandstrahltechnik GmbH

At the moment, the economic situation is not particularly rosy for many reasons. How challenging is the current situation for you, and what is your biggest concern right now?

At Schmidt Sandstrahltechnik we also feel that the wind is blowing colder. Customers now think twice — sometimes three times — before investing. New purchases made “just in case” have become rare. Every investment is carefully calculated to see whether a machine will pay for itself.

Because our product portfolio is so broad and we are not dependent on just one industry, we can often offset downturns in one sector with growth in another — for example in the energy sector. Even so, we can still be very satisfied. In recent years we have invested in a new company headquarters with a modern office, production, and warehouse building, including a spacious blasting media storage facility, innovative demonstration blasting rooms, and functional training areas. This has created ideal conditions for customer presentations, employee training, and efficient workflows. Staff reductions are not an issue for us.

What advantages do you gain from exhibiting at denkmal, especially in such a situation?

It signals that we are doing well: we are stable and we are investing. That reassures customers who might otherwise fear investing in a system whose manufacturer might no longer exist in two years. Moreover, direct conversations allow us to find out which topics are currently most relevant.

As a long-standing exhibitor, your critical feedback is particularly welcome — what would you like to see for the future of denkmal?

I especially hope that denkmal continues to develop successfully and keeps attracting a broad spectrum of professional visitors. That is why it is important to us that the fair continues to champion genuine craftsmanship and the appropriate tools for heritage conservation.