Crafts and small and medium-sized enterprises: Urgent need for action at EU level

The Bavarian Crafts Association and the West German Crafts Association jointly hosted an event at the Representation of the Free State of Bavaria in Brussels. The focus was on increasing the visibility of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the skilled trades at the EU level.

The Representation of the Free State of Bavaria to the European Union Brussels is well-attended, as is the joint event of West and South, by West German Chamber of Skilled Crafts (WHKT) and Bavarian Crafts Day (BHT), begins. It's about the role and visibility of crafts and small and medium-sized enterprises at EU level.

An undoubtedly important topic, as is particularly evident in the impassioned contributions of Bavaria's State Secretary for Economic Affairs, Tobias Gotthardt, who, on the one hand, sees himself as a "committed European," while simultaneously sharply criticizing the fact that SMEs and skilled trades need "room to breathe" so that "the Mittelstand (SMEs) can lead us out of the current crisis." The event, which bears the certainly provocative title "Is the key role of skilled trades and SMEs underestimated?", features practical reports from Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia, as well as a diverse panel discussion on the topic "Think big vs. Think small first."

Competitiveness: Strengthening skilled trades and small and medium-sized enterprises

Around 130 guests attended. They were quickly made aware of the connection between Europe's competitiveness and a strong SME sector and skilled trades. And that there is an urgent need for action in this area. Bureaucracy is certainly one of the first issues that comes to mind when thinking about Europe and the problems facing SMEs. Gotthardt succinctly summarized the point in his brief presentation – and made it clear where the necessary impetus for tangible improvement would come from. "If we have and continue to have politically active skilled tradespeople in Europe – then Europe will function better." He expressed his hope that "we will work with both intelligence and common sense to ensure that skilled trades and SMEs have a home in Brussels."

More than 2,1 million people in Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia work in the skilled trades sector, in approximately 410.000 businesses. "Our businesses are essential for basic services," emphasizes Franz Xaver Peteranderl, President of the Bavarian Association of Skilled Trades and Crafts (BHT). His colleague from the Bavarian Chamber of Skilled Crafts and Trades (WHKT), Berthold Schröder, adds: "We need instruments that enable the vast majority of businesses in Europe to realize their potential – and thus sustainably increase the EU's competitiveness." The joint event in Brussels was also intended to achieve this, says Dr. Frank Hüppers, Managing Director of the BHT, who also announces that further events are planned. "Events like this are important because they allow us to articulate our concerns at the EU level."

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Success factors of traditional craft businesses

Claudia Wackerbauer from Ampfing in Upper Bavaria and Peter Küpper from Bonn, both business owners, share their practical experience. They both currently run long-established family craft businesses. Wackerbauer Maschinenbau GmbH It has existed since 1938. SHK company Josef Küpper Söhne GmbH as early as 1919. Both speak of what has always defined craftsmanship – not only considering innovations but also implementing them, prioritizing the well-being of the company over personal advancement, and sometimes taking paths that may not lead directly to success but bring significant insights and experience through the process of moving forward. Peter Küpper can attest to this. "In 2021, we became completely self-sufficient with green hydrogen when we opened the first commercial building of its kind in Meckenheim," he says.

Five years later, it has to be admitted that the project has failed. "For technical reasons, self-sufficiency doesn't work in everyday life. But we were pioneers, learned a lot, won awards, and as drivers of the energy transition, we're now playing in the big leagues," he says. The project gave the company a real boost – and they also learned a great deal about subsidies and bureaucracy. Wackerbauer can certainly relate to that. "Due to our location, we do a lot of work in Austria and Italy; the borders are close. Why do we have to do a safety training course for ladders in Bolzano? It shouldn't matter whether you're climbing a ladder in Bolzano or Passau," she says. This bureaucracy makes the work considerably more difficult and complicated, Wackerbauer continues.

Bureaucracy reduction for trades and small and medium-sized enterprises

This is also the core issue being addressed to Brussels politicians. Gotthardt is not the only one vehemently advocating for reducing bureaucracy; Schröder makes this clear as well. "A good law is characterized by its comprehensibility," says the WHKT president. It must also be practical. He also argues against the absolute standardization of everything at the EU level. "A major advantage of Europe is its diversity," says Schröder. MEP Sabrina Repp stands somewhat alone in her opinion, stating that regulations prevent progress. However, she also emphasizes the need for regulatory simplification.

It's a fascinating discussion that makes it clear that skilled trades and small and medium-sized enterprises are ready – if only Europe lets them. And in its own interest, Europe should do just that.

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