About Us
From a Practical Solution to a Certified System
My name is Oliver Kümmel and I'm based in Fulda (East Hesse). The development of the Bautri system began with a practical challenge in my own garden: removing a root in a spot inaccessible to machinery. Since digging it out by hand was too strenuous, I looked for a more efficient method and had the idea of removing the root using a chain hoist.
Since there was no counter-bearing available, I built a stable tripod from three commercially available construction props and a head plate I welded myself. Foot wedges provide a secure footing. This solution worked so well that I started offering it through my side business at the time, a garden equipment rental company. Growing demand and purchase inquiries from customers showed the potential of the design.
From Prototype to Professional Tool
One key advantage quickly became clear: the system uses standardized construction props (EN 1065), which are inexpensive and available almost everywhere. This, combined with the compact design, made shipping the actual system straightforward, and it quickly found customers nationwide.
Thanks to its flexibility and load capacity, the THW (Federal Agency for Technical Relief) in Fulda became aware of the product, ran initial tests and immediately put it to use for straightforward rescue from height and depth. This confirmed a further advantage: compatibility not only with EN 1065 props but also with the aluminum spindle props common among THW and fire brigades, such as the Ischebeck Titan HV or the Peri Multiprop.
Certified Safety and Performance
The positive feedback from THW as well as from landscaping users, together with rescue organizations' wish to also use the device for fall protection of persons, led to the decision to develop the Bautri system further on a professional level. In cooperation with an engineering firm, the design was optimized to obtain the necessary certifications.
The result is a system certified by DEKRA that is approved both for fall protection of up to three people (at a max. system height of 4 m) and for a maximum tension and compression load of up to 3.3 tonnes . These performance figures exceed many rescue and tripod systems, even considerably more expensive ones.
Two Lines for Specific Requirements: Bautri Work & Bautri Rescue
The requirements of the two main target groups – on one hand, landscaping, construction sites, municipalities and demanding private users, and on the other, rescue organizations like THW and fire brigades – have a lot in common. For both groups, simple, intuitive assembly, low maintenance and performance are decisive. To meet the different approval requirements, the system was split into two lines:
- Bautri Work: The robust solution for all tension and compression tasks in landscaping, on construction sites and in trades.
- Bautri Rescue : The variant additionally approved for fall protection of persons, for use by fire brigades, THW and disaster relief.
Our Company: Quality, Partnership and the Future
As success grew, Rhönkonzept GmbH was founded, with my wife Magdalena joining as well. To ensure the highest quality standards, we work together with specialized partners. Manufacturing is carried out by Form-On GmbH in Austria, a subsidiary of the world's leading formwork component manufacturer DOKA GmbH . Ongoing development, especially for the rescue sector, takes place in close collaboration with Inventied GmbH , whose founders come from the THW community and contribute their hands-on experience.
Our focus now is on further developing accessories to continuously expand the Bautri system's range of applications and bring new features to market.
