VDRK - Verband der Rohr- und Kanal-Technik-Unternehmen e.V.

What VDRK - Verband der Rohr- und Kanal-Technik-Unternehmen e.V. does

VDRK – Verband der Rohr- und Kanal-Technik-Unternehmen e.V. is a German non-profit trade association (eingetragener Verein) founded in 1989 in Stuttgart and currently headquartered at Wilhelmshöher Allee 253–255 in Kassel, where it is registered with the Amtsgericht Kassel under VR 4756. The organization represents more than 600 member companies active in the pipe, sewer, and industrial service sector (Rohr-, Kanal- und Industrieservice), including pipe cleaning, sewer cleaning, pipe rehabilitation, TV inspection, and industrial services for wastewater infrastructure. It functions as the sector's professional representative body, providing advocacy, training coordination, quality certification, and industry networking across Germany with growing European reach via the RO-KA-TECH trade fair.

VDRK's product surface is organized around member services rather than proprietary technology: a free-to-members job board (Jobbörse) and equipment marketplace (Marktplatz) — both priced at 75 EUR plus VAT per 3-month listing for non-members — an eLearning Academy for the Umwelttechnologe für Rohrleitungsnetze und Industrieanlagen apprenticeship developed with Bau Bildung Sachsen, a seminar/training program delivered with partners including DEULA Rheinland, SAG-Akademie, and DWA, training subsidies of 250 EUR per course per apprentice (up to 8 courses per member per year), and the RAL GZ 968 quality certification, for which VDRK is both founding member of the Gütegemeinschaft Grundstücksentwässerung and official Prüforganisation. The biennial RO-KA-TECH trade fair, described as the most important national/European specialist fair for underground wastewater infrastructure (next edition 2027), is the association's flagship commercial event. Distribution is primarily direct via vdrk.de, supplemented by social media (Facebook, Instagram @kanal_zukunft, LinkedIn), an email newsletter, and annual member assemblies (Mitgliederversammlung).

The association operates with a very lean staff of 1–10 employees, led by Chairman Günter Butz and Managing Director Ralph Sluke, and is governed by its membership rather than external investors. Revenue is generated from five streams: recurring membership dues from 600+ companies, RO-KA-TECH trade fair income, transactional fees from non-member job board and marketplace listings, and seminar/training fees (with member discounts of 5–15% versus non-member rates). As a non-profit, VDRK does not pursue shareholder returns; instead, surplus is reinvested into member benefits, vocational training, and consumer protection initiatives for end customers searching RAL-certified drainage professionals via the website's PLZ-based member search.

Name

VDRK - Verband der Rohr- und Kanal-Technik-Unternehmen e.V.

Legal name

VDRK Verband der Rohr- und Kanal-Technik-Unternehmen e. V.

Website

https://vdrk.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

VDRK is a German non-profit trade association founded in 1989, representing more than 600 pipe, sewer, and industrial service companies. It provides advocacy, vocational training subsidies, RAL GZ 968 quality certification, a member job board and equipment marketplace, and organizes the RO-KA-TECH trade fair.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Kassel

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership dues from over 600 member companies in the pipe and canal technology industry, providing access to member benefits including free job postings, marketplace listings, training subsidies, and certification services.
2. Trade Fair Events: Organizes and operates the RO-KA-TECH trade fair, which is described as the most important national/European trade fair for underground wastewater infrastructure.
3. Job Board Fees: Non-members pay 75 EUR plus VAT per job posting for a 3-month duration. Members receive free access to job listings.
4. Marketplace Listing Fees: Non-members pay 75 EUR plus VAT per marketplace listing for a 3-month duration. Members can post unlimited free listings.
5. Training and Seminar Fees: Revenue from organizing and facilitating seminars, training courses, and continuing education programs for the Umwelttechnologe (environmental technologist) apprenticeship and professional development.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

VDRK is a German non-profit trade association serving more than 600 member companies in the pipe, sewer, and industrial service sector. It sells membership access and related services including an online job board, equipment marketplace, vocational eLearning platform, seminars and training programs, the RO-KA-TECH trade fair, training subsidies, and the RAL GZ 968 quality certification. Its core output is industry representation, professional development, and certified quality assurance for the underground wastewater infrastructure sector.

Product overview

VDRK is a German trade association for pipe and canal technology companies, offering a unified platform of member services rather than a traditional software product. The core offerings include: Jobbörse (job board) for recruitment, Marktplatz for equipment trading, eLearning Academy for apprentice training, and Seminars/Schulungen for professional development. Additional services include RO-KA-TECH trade fair organization, training subsidies (Fördermittel) of 250 euros per course, RAL Gütezeichen GZ 968 quality certification, and member search functionality. These services are provided through a web-based platform accessible to member companies and consumers seeking professional drainage services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Jobbörse (Job Board) Online job board platform connecting VDRK member companies with job seekers in the pipe, sewer, and industrial service sector. Non-members pay 75 EUR + VAT per posting for a 3-month duration; members receive free access.
• Marktplatz (Equipment Marketplace) Online marketplace where member companies can buy and sell used equipment, vehicles, and machinery related to pipe and canal cleaning technology. Non-members pay 75 EUR + VAT per listing for 3 months; members post unlimited free listings.
• eLearning Academy Digital learning platform for apprentices in the Umwelttechnologe/in für Rohrleitungsnetze und Industrieanlagen (environmental technician) training program, developed in collaboration with Bau Bildung Sachsen.
• Seminare und Schulungen (Seminars and Training) Continuing education offerings including seminars, manufacturer training, and courses for pipe cleaning, canal inspection, and canal renovation, with member discounts of 5-15% versus standard rates.
• RO-KA-TECH Fachmesse (Trade Fair) Biannual trade fair for underground wastewater infrastructure, recognized as the most important national/European specialist fair in the field. Organized by VDRK.
• VDRK Fördermittel (Training Subsidies) Financial support program offering 250 EUR per trainee per course for off-the-job (überbetriebliche) training in the Umwelttechnologe profession, up to eight courses per year per member company.
• RAL Gütezeichen GZ 968 Zertifizierung Quality assurance certification for property drainage; VDRK is both a founding member of the Gütegemeinschaft Grundstücksentwässerung and an official Prüforganisation (testing organization).
• Mitgliedersuche (Member Search) Online directory service allowing consumers and businesses to search for VDRK member companies by location and specialty, including a PLZ-based search on the homepage.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 600 member companies benefit from VDRK membership

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bau Bildung SachsencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation partner for the overbetriebliche Ausbildung (inter-company vocational training) in the Umwelttechnologe für Rohrleitungsnetze und Industrieanlagen apprenticeship program. Offers courses including Geprüfter Monteur für Rohr- und Kanalunterhaltung, Kanalinspektion, Dichtheitsprüfung, and other specialized training.
• DEULA RheinlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation partner providing overbetriebliche Ausbildung courses for VDRK member companies. Offers practical training for the pipe and canal technology profession.
• SAG-Akademie GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation partner offering courses including RKI-Meisterlehrgang (master craftsman training), Kanalinspektion courses, and Sachkunde seminars for the pipe and canal industry.
• DWA - Deutsche Vereinigung für Wasserwirtschaft, Abwasser und Abfall e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional association partner providing seminars on Starkregenvorsorge (heavy rain prevention), Grundstücksentwässerung (property drainage), DACH-Grundkurs Kanalinspektion, and Abwassermeister (wastewater master) training. DWA certification is recognized across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
• SOKA-BAUminorOthersVDRK partners with SOKA-BAU for supplementary pension and social security administration services for member companies in the construction industry.
• Advertising PartnersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCompanies including Hradil Spezialkabel GmbH, SysKan, U_ground system GmbH, and ROHR RANGER e.K. advertise on VDRK's website and platforms.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• DWA - Deutsche Vereinigung für Wasserwirtschaft, Abwasser und Abfall e.V. DWA is Germany's foremost water/wastewater professional association covering wastewater, water management and waste. Highly comparable to VDRK: both represent wastewater-sector professionals, both run training and certification programmes, and VDRK explicitly partners with DWA for seminars (Starkregenvorsorge, Grundstücksentwässerung, Kanalinspektion).
• DVGW - Deutsche Vereinigung des Gas- und Wasserfaches e.V. DVGW is the German technical-scientific association for gas and water with a strong standardisation and certification role analogous to VDRK's RAL GZ 968. Comparable in structure: membership-based, maintains technical rules, offers Prüforganisation services, and serves infrastructure-adjacent trades.
• figawa - Bundesvereinigung der Firmen im Gas- und Wasserfach e.V. figawa is the German industry association for manufacturers and service providers in gas and water sectors. Directly comparable as a sectoral Fachverband structure with membership dues, technical events, training, and standards work adjacent to VDRK's pipe/canal focus.
• ZVSHK - Zentralverband Sanitär Heizung Klima: ZVSHK is the central German trade association for sanitary, heating and climate trades. Comparable organisational archetype: Fachverband providing professional representation, vocational training coordination, journeyman/master craftsman pathways, and member services to small/medium trade companies - the same role VDRK plays for pipe-and-canal service firms.
• rbv - Rohrleitungsbauverband e.V. rbv is the German pipeline construction association covering pipeline contractors across gas, water, oil and district heating. Shares VDRK's Fachverband archetype with membership dues, vocational training promotion, technical events, and trade fair involvement overlapping with the underground-infrastructure scope VDRK serves.

Broad incumbents

• BDEW - Bundesverband der Energie- und Wasserwirtschaft: BDEW is Germany's large energy and water industry association representing utilities and infrastructure operators. Comparable in advocacy and standards-setting remit but materially larger and broader in scope; overlaps with VDRK on water and wastewater policy representation but serves utilities rather than service contractors.
• BG BAU - Berufsgenossenschaft der Bauwirtschaft: BG BAU is Germany's statutory accident insurance body for the construction sector, including underground and pipe trades. Comparably touches VDRK's member base on vocational safety training, SOKA-BAU-adjacent social insurance administration, and apprentice pathways, but operates as a larger quasi-governmental body rather than a member-led trade association.

Others

• STRABAG / Kanaltechnik subcontractors cluster (industry segment): Large construction groups (e.g., STRABAG) operate sewer-pipe subsidiaries that sit downstream of VDRK's member companies. Included as an adjacent commercial player that interacts with VDRK members on contract work, helping frame VDRK's role as a labour-and-quality standards setter for the broader pipe/sewer services supply chain.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInde.linkedin.com/company/vdrk
• Instagraminstagram.com/kanal_zukunft

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about VDRK - Verband der Rohr- und Kanal-Technik-Unternehmen e.V.