Interview: "It can't be done without a solid foundation in skilled trades"

Gerd Benzmüller is the new president of the Federal Association of District Craftsmen's Associations. He explains how he intends to strengthen "the local craft sector" through networks and innovations.

Gerd Benzmüller has been president of the since October Federal Association of District Craftsmen's Associations (BV-KH)The 54-year-old master electrician from Ockfen near Saarburg (Rhineland-Palatinate) started his own business 30 years ago in his parents' garage, built a thriving company with 60 employees and has been active in voluntary work from day one.

He started as an apprenticeship supervisor and later became the master craftsman of the guild. Over the years, the list of his honorary positions grew so long that in 2020 Gerd Benzmüller stepped down as managing director of his company, the Elektro Benzmüller GmbH & Co. KG, handed over to two master craftsmen – former trainees – and has since focused primarily on his involvement in crafts and politics.

Since 2016, he has been the District Master Craftsman of the Trier-Saarburg Chamber of Skilled Crafts and since 2021, President of the State Association of District Chambers of Skilled Crafts. From 2024 to 2025, he served as Vice President of the Federal Association. Gerd Benzmüller also sits on the board of the Trier Chamber of Skilled Crafts, is Chairman of the Board of Directors of IKK Südwest (a regional health insurance provider), and a member of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds. Furthermore, he is active in politics: as mayor of his hometown, a member of the district council, and as a candidate for the FDP (Free Democratic Party) in the upcoming state elections. We reached him amidst numerous appointments in Berlin, Mainz, and his hometown.

Whether in crafts, politics or healthcare: "I am happy when I can help shape and influence something," says Benzmüller, who tries to inspire young craft entrepreneurs to become members of a guild at every opportunity.

DHB: Mr. Benzmüller, what are your goals as President of the Federal Association of District Craftsmen's Associations?
Benzmüller: We want to continue growing and further strengthen the network. Currently, about 148 of the 250 district craft guilds are organized within the national association. There is a north-south divide among the district craft guilds. They are significantly stronger in the north than in the south, and some even operate their own training centers. It is therefore a success that we have just been able to recruit our first district craft guild from Bavaria. There, the district craft guilds play almost no role; the district master craftsman is often an employee of the chamber of skilled crafts. These structures have developed traditionally. We also need to strengthen the system again in the east. In Rhineland-Palatinate, the three pillars of the skilled crafts sector – chambers of skilled crafts, business associations, and district craft guilds – work well together as equals.

DHB: Where do you see the district craft associations in the future?
Benzmüller: We're all struggling with declining membership. It's certainly not always easy to keep the system going. But we form the foundation for volunteer work within the guilds, the lowest level of democracy in the trades; we are the local family of the trades. These are the volunteers needed to fill the presidencies of the chambers and associations. No one becomes chamber president directly; the path always goes from the bottom up. We are sometimes ridiculed by the trade associations, but quite honestly: without guilds and relying solely on trade associations, we wouldn't get very far. The trade association for electricians, "Fehr," for example, is based in Wiesbaden. I don't think many of our members would travel there regularly. Our task as the national association is therefore to offer the local guilds networks, present best-practice examples, and provide support in their day-to-day operations. The local guilds offer many services and tools for businesses because those who join us—the organized trades—expect something in return, otherwise they'll leave. In my opinion, mergers are not the right way forward, despite tight budgets, because our strength lies in the region. Instead, I advocate for closer cooperation and networking between the branch offices.

DHB: What role does the local chamber of skilled crafts play?
Benzmüller: We have good relationships with mayors, district administrators, and schools, and we hold regular discussions. We are the driving force locally when it comes to commercial space for tradespeople, parking in city centers and parking permits for tradespeople, or awarding contracts in the smallest possible lots. Furthermore, we advocate for the preservation of vocational school locations and better classroom facilities. These are often in very poor condition, while universities and colleges are state-of-the-art.

DHB: Membership numbers have been declining for years. How do you convince young people to join the guild?
Benzmüller: Today, guild meetings are primarily networking events among colleagues. They offer firsthand information. I know it's not always easy to convince young people to attend a guild meeting in the evening. I see this with the young master craftsmen who have taken over my business. But when we drive home, they say, "That was great, I'm glad we were there." The regional craft associations often organize industry-specific meetings where business owners from various trades come together. Business owners need these kinds of networks.

The interview was conducted by Kirsten Freund

Background: District Chamber of Skilled CraftsPresident Gerd Benzmüller (center) with Vice President Jan Bauer (left) and Managing Director Sebastian Hoffmanns (right). Photo: © BV-KHThe district craft guild (KH) is the association of all craft guilds in a region. They are often also called the town hall of the crafts. The Federal Association of District Craft Guilds, or BVKH for short, is the umbrella organization of district craft guilds in Germany, founded in 1989. There are approximately 250 district craft guilds nationwide. Currently, 148 are members of the Federal Association.to the map of GermanyDistrict craft guilds are public corporations. They are subject to legal oversight by the chambers of skilled crafts. The district craft guilds are headed by district master craftsmen, who are drawn from among the guild masters. More information on the change of leadership can be found at the Federal Association. read here

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