Sustainably and efficiently to perfectly prepared ice

The ice hockey players of the Kölner Haie find immaculately prepared ice in the LANXESS arena game after game. This self-image is also based on a technology from Italy: the WM Connect system from WM technics.

The LANXESS arena is one of the largest multifunctional halls in Europe. Its schedule includes concerts, sporting events and carnival shows: the LANXESS arena in Cologne is an event hall par excellence. It is particularly well-known as the venue for the home games of the eight-time German ice hockey champions, the Kölner Haie (KEC).


In order to offer the players what the company describes as „the best of the best“, the Mammoth ice resurfacer from Italian manufacturer WM technics has been making its rounds electrically and quietly for six years now. According to WM technics, the electric ice resurfacer is „certainly one of the most revolutionary advances in the industry in recent years“. Now the company from Blumau in South Tyrol is waiting in the wings with the next milestone. With WM Connect, they offer a system that is said to represent a „quantum leap in efficiency and sustainability in ice processing“.

It certainly doesn’t take an energy crisis like the current one to make us more emphatic about our energy consumption. With WM Connect, WM technics provides its customers with a tool that is primarily intended to meet these new demands in energy management.

WM Connect: Real-time data, communication tool, and e-shop all in one

WM Connect is a data tool, communication assistant, and e-shop in one. A sophisticated system that kills three birds with one stone in terms of efficiency through real-time data collection, over-the-air error messages, and access to the WM e-shop „WORKspace“.

The centerpiece is the real-time data collection: the system collects data on water consumption (liters), electricity consumption (amps), and thermal energy required (kWh) during each ice processing operation and displays it live on the dashboard provided. The dashboard can be accessed anywhere: with a smartphone, a PC, a tablet, or the WM screen.

„WM Connect is a game-changer for us, especially given the increased energy costs. With the available data and corresponding field tests, we can determine exactly how much energy and water we need to create the perfect ice without wasting resources“, emphasizes the CEO of the Arena Management Gmbh Stefan Löcher. „So we can already adjust and plan our budget accordingly. In addition, we have an ideal basis for next year to make investments in the various resources in a more targeted manner and to operate more sustainably.“

In addition, the „over-the-air access“ of WM Connect always keeps the ice masters up to date on errors in the system by means of automatic error messages. As soon as such a message is displayed, those affected can immediately contact the WM technics technicians, who in turn can identify „over-the-air“ which adjustment screws need to be turned.

Increased efficiency and a protected environment

Technicians and customers deal with the problem over the phone, and customers save themselves cost-intensive on-site repairs and avoid associated environmentally damaging transfers of technicians. Suppose it turns out that a component of the ice machine needs to be replaced. In that case, access to the WORKspace allows fast action: Components are identified, searched for, found in WORKspace, ordered, and arrive at their destination within 24 hours.

For Mirko Sparber, Sales Manager of WM technics, the new tool is a quantum leap: „WM Connect is the control center of our ice resurfacers. It raises user-friendliness to a new level and makes life much easier for our customers and us. More precise budget planning, imminent service, fast communication: we want our customers to work more efficiently and sustainably in all respects - and we have achieved this with WM Connect.“

In addition, if one of the machines named Shira, Mammoth, or evo² features an autopilot, this can also be controlled easily via WM Connect. In the LANXESS arena, WM Connect has been extensively tested and is now a permanent part of the repertoire. (STADIAWORLD, 17.01.2023)

Homepage: W.M. GmbH