Non-wage labor costs must be significantly reduced, only then can more employment be expected. this requires a real structural reform in the social security branches.
Europe and its close relations with host country Canada shaped the opening of Hannover Messe 2025. VDMA President Bertram Kawlath emphasized the strengths of both partners.
Even after the ruling on the solidarity surcharge, the government must provide tax relief for companies. Abolishing the solidarity surcharge would make an important contribution to this.
The planned coalition agreement between the CDU/CSU and SPD must make Germany competitive again. To achieve this, significant reforms must also be made to taxes and social security contributions.
The future German government is facing decisive decisions. Clear industrial policy impulses are necessary to ensure growth and innovation. A guest article by VDMA President Bertram Kawlath for CEO.Table.
Germany's innovative strength as a business location must be strengthened now. An alliance of leading business associations and the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft jointly present ten key demands to politicians.
The VDMA NRW Board of Directors meeting focused on setting the political course: together with VDMA President Bertram Kawlath, the focal points of political lobbying and regional support were discussed.
The European single market urgently needs reforms to improve and deepen it. Small and medium-sized companies are particularly dependent on this.
2025 is the year in which Germany must set the course for growth and competitiveness. It needs more courage to ensure freedom and rapid political reforms.
The German government now also wants to relieve companies of CSRD reporting obligations. It would be an urgently needed step. Politicians must now do everything they can to convince the EU of this measure.
The European Deforestation Regulation is being postponed - an important measure to ease the burden on companies. Other EU regulations must now also be put to the test as part of the omnibus regulation.
Both the CDU/CSU and the SPD want to pay more attention to industrial SMEs. It is high time for this - but it must not end in new burdens for companies.
The workshop series of the Effizienz-Agentur NRW (efa) provides practical support for the NRW mechanical and plant engineering industry when entering into circular business models - this offers enormous potential even in times of crisis.
On November 8, 2024, the Executive Board of VDMA NRW met for political talks in Berlin. Topics such as reducing bureaucracy, securing skilled workers, the energy transition and digitalization were discussed. Find out more about the results and the participants
The ‘Circular Production NRW’ funding programme is supporting innovative projects for sustainable, resource-efficient and circular value creation in SMEs with 21 million euros.
he posting of employees in Europe must not be a bureaucratic madness. The EU Commission's proposal for an eDeclaration is right, but further measures must follow.
Salaries in the mechanical engineering sector are already at a very high level. The pilot wage agreement in the metal and electrical industry will therefore push many companies to their limits.
Donald Trump's second term in office will be a greater challenge for the mechanical engineering industry than his first presidency. The USA remains an attractive market, but Trump's tariff plans will have a noticeable impact on trade.
Companies in Europe need significant relief quickly: less bureaucracy and laws that can also be implemented in practice. A VDMA position paper.
Saxony and Thuringia need stable state governments. Long stalemates in the negotiations will damage industry even more. Majorities are needed for good location policy projects.
On September 12, 2024, the Executive Board of VDMA NRW met at LEMKEN GmbH & Co. KG. The agenda included the political representation of interests and the current economic situation in the mechanical engineering sector.
Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) technology offers a promising opportunity to reduce unavoidable CO₂ quantities. This involves not only capturing carbon dioxide, but also reusing it as a valuable raw material in industry.
Brandenburg has written an economic success story. In the future, it will continue to need a state policy that attracts investment and skilled workers and does not create a climate of fear.
The "Draghi Report" rightly emphasizes how important economic success is for Europe. Open markets and free trade in particular are essential for companies.
In view of the shortage of skilled workers, incentives to work longer are very welcome in the mechanical engineering sector. However, the planned "pension deferral bonus" is far too complex.
In Saxony and Thuringia, constructive political majorities must now be found that are committed to a good location policy.
The "Produktives.NRW" competition call supports investments in critical technologies in the areas of digital innovations, environmentally friendly and resource-efficient technologies and biotechnology in NRW.
Donald Trump has won the US presidential election and will become president again in January 2025. A VDMA analysis looks at the potential impact on trade policy.
The state elections in Saxony and Thuringia are also a crossroads for the mechanical engineering industry. LV Ost Chairman Alexander Jakschik and VDMA President Karl Haeusgen warn against compartmentalization.
Innovative mechanical engineering must be able to classify itself as sustainable in the EU taxonomy. This requires clarity and legal certainty, which has not yet been provided.
Europe now needs a centrist coalition and the competitiveness of European industry must be at the top of its agenda. The increase in votes for far-right parties in Europe is a cause for concern.
Federal Economics Minister Habeck wants to suspend the German Supply Chain Act for two years. It would be a first sign that the concerns and alarm signals of the business community are finally being heard.
Employment figures are stagnating, while at the same time there is a persistent shortage of skilled workers. Therefore, reforms to stimulate the economy must be implemented urgently.
The federal government's promotional loan provides a high level of funding for particularly climate-friendly components, systems and solutions and a repayment subsidy of up to 60 percent.
The Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Transport of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia is providing funding for innovations in the circular economy with "Ressource.NRW". The submission deadline for the first round ends on April 1, 2024.
Submission deadline for the second round of the innovation competition "NeueWege.IN.NRW - Innovative Mobility and Logistics" funded by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia is April 30, 2024
The VDMA NRW expects sales to fall by 4% in real terms in 2024. This forecast reflects the negative trend in demand over the past year.
The Future Industry Dialogue of the state of NRW is committed to a strong industrial location. The meeting on December 20, 2023 was all about innovation and promoting innovation.
The funded resource efficiency consulting program offers support to companies in industry and the skilled trades to increase resource efficiency and transform to a Circular Economy.
Climate protection contracts are intended to initiate climate-friendly production processes in energy-intensive industries and, if necessary, compensate for additional costs.
