1961-1969: Pioneer and entrepreneur
![](
https://www.wirtgen-group.com/media/01_wirtgen_group/01_bilder_1/01_unternehmen/historie/w_photo_management_00246_hi_1680x945.jpg
)
Reinhard Wirtgen worked very hard to set up and build a contracting business. He started out with small haulage jobs and then specialized in road construction using a concrete breaker. With his staff of ten, he continuously improved three of these machines in a small workshop in Windhagen.
As he and his crew successfully completed an ever-increasing number of jobs, concrete demolition became very quickly known throughout Germany as a method used in road rehabilitation.