Interview with Michaela Muller-Kaya, Managing Director of Arcan in Germany.
Michaela Muller-Kaya, Managing Director of Arcan in Germany, recently visited Iceland and taught the course “Waterproofing of Concrete Structures with Injection Technology,” in collaboration with Fagefni ehf.
The course, which is held regularly at Iðan, focuses on the waterproofing of concrete structures using modern injection technology. Emphasis is placed on systems, execution, and solutions that ensure long-lasting results. Participants were also invited to bring their own case studies, which were analyzed and discussed as a group.
A great friend of Iceland
Michaela says the course was a great success.“The participants were very engaged,” she says, adding that she believes the course is likely to lead to further collaboration and more projects in the future.
She has visited Iceland regularly in recent years to teach professionals at Iðan's courses. “I think I’ve been to the country eight or nine times. I love Iceland, and it’s always a pleasure to come here. The interest and ambition of the professionals are immense,” says Michaela.
Strong professional knowledge in place
In her opinion, Icelandic professionals possess a great deal of expertise that has been steadily built up over the last few years. “The knowledge here has become very strong, and it has clearly developed step by step with experience and education,” she says. If there is anything that could be improved, she believes the range of equipment could be more diverse. “The equipment could be better and more extensive, as it is crucial when working with complex situations,” she adds.
Michaela also recalls the development of the collaboration with Icelandic partners. Her first visits to Iceland were about eight to nine years ago, and at that time, the collaboration was in its early stages. Over time, it has evolved into a strong professional and business relationship built from the ground up.
When Fagefni ehf. began importing materials from Arcan, knowledge of injection technology was limited, but it has been systematically built up through education, training, and experience.
It takes time to build practical experience“It takes time to build real professional knowledge and practical experience,” says Michaela. “There are so many different materials, and it’s crucial to know where and when to use each one.”
When asked about the most common reasons why waterproofing systems fail – even when the right materials are used – she mentions a lack of analysis as the main problem. “The most common mistake is not analyzing the problem well enough. People don’t know exactly what’s happening inside the wall, how much water is there, or where it’s coming from,” she says.
Time pressure and stress can make things worse
She also points out that time pressure and stress can have a significant impact on decision-making. “When there’s a leak and water is flooding in, there’s a lot of pressure. That’s when there’s a risk of making hasty decisions – drilling in the wrong place or choosing the wrong material,” says Michaela.
Finally, she was asked to give one piece of good advice to professionals. “Be curious and never stop being curious,” she says. “Curiosity empowers people and makes almost every task much more exciting.”