Operations management

"Craftsmanship is an important building block for reconstruction"

Five years after the devastating floods, the North Rhine-Westphalia Ministry of Construction, the WHKT (Westphalian Chamber of Skilled Crafts), and the Cologne Chamber of Skilled Crafts have concluded the state initiative "Skilled Crafts in Reconstruction." In Odenthal, they reviewed their collaboration.

Reforestation of forests to preserve drinking water

Only a healthy, green forest can ensure a balanced water supply. However, persistently high temperatures and drought are currently putting forests under pressure. Since water is an essential source of life, Krombacher supports the preservation of stable forests with a large-scale reforestation program.

Photo: © fabrikacrimea/123RF.com

Operations management | July 2026

Federal Court of Justice: Furniture can also be protected by copyright.

The Federal Court of Justice also considers furniture to be potentially protected by copyright. However, a beautiful design alone is not sufficient.

Photo: © rawpixel /123RF.com

Operations management | July 2026

How to hire new people on a temporary basis

Whether for a project or as a trial period: Anyone hiring employees on a temporary basis must comply with certain legal requirements. We provide an overview.

Photo: © visivasnc /123RF.com

Operations management | July 2026

Tax bonus for skilled trades services remains in place

The tax credit for skilled trades services will remain. The coalition committee has agreed on this. However, it will be reduced from 20 to 15 percent of 6.000 euros.

Photo: © pejo/123RF.com

Operations management | July 2026

Sick leave: Certificate of incapacity for work (AU certificate) from the first day

The federal government is abolishing sick leave by telephone and introducing the requirement to submit a certificate of incapacity for work from the first day.

Photo: © Dresden Chamber of Skilled Crafts/André Wirsig

Operations management | July 2026

Founding and acquisition: Your courage counts for the future

Overconfidence is beneficial: Why courage is important for start-ups and takeovers in the skilled trades – and how entrepreneurs can actively shape change. Guest article by ZDH President Jörg Dittrich.

Photo: © Hansgrohe

Operations management | July 2026

Digital bathroom planning: Hansgrohe focuses on direct referral to tradespeople.

Anyone planning a bathroom renovation should be able to find the right specialist company more quickly. To achieve this, Hansgrohe is connecting its online bathroom planner to a new platform for collaboration between customers and tradespeople.

Operations management | July 2026

Study on skilled trades as saviors in crises

Craftsmen played a central role in managing the flood disaster in the Ahr Valley. A project by the Institute for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Crafts is reconstructing their contributions and aims to derive recommendations for future crises.

Operations management | July 2026

Battery-powered products can withstand the heat.

With a battery-powered cooler, fan, radio, compressor and a mobile power station, Einhell is targeting users who rely on mobile power supply for the summer season.

Operations management | July 2026

Prize for Crafts History: Science in Focus

The German Confederation of Skilled Crafts (ZDH) is once again awarding a prize for the history of skilled crafts: for the first time, for academic research on the topic of skilled crafts. The application deadline is June 16, 2027.

Opticians: Graduation ceremony with the Prime Minister

Three prizes for final projects of designers (HWK)

Eight success codes for future viability

Mental health in craft businesses

ING launches new fixed-term deposit offer for medium-sized businesses

"A complete disaster": How the packaging tax is burdening bakers

Schufa shadow database: What businesses can do

Süffa with three focus topics at the pulse of the meat industry

Federal Cabinet approves second relief package

"A complete disaster": How the packaging tax is burdening bakers

"Craftsmanship is an important building block for reconstruction"

Craftsmen in Saxony oppose packaging tax

Stylish fastback – the Peugeot 408

How Geely plans to conquer the German market

Uncharted – Subaru's first all-electric SUV

Opticians: Graduation ceremony with the Prime Minister

Vocational school classes awarded for creative ideas against violence

Reforestation of forests to preserve drinking water

Corporate award from "Vocational Training Without Borders"

Growing as a team – healthy and successful

Trades welcome the right to repair: "Strong signal"

Reference: The former employee is sometimes allowed to force the boss to sign it.

Federal Court of Justice: Furniture can also be protected by copyright.

How to hire new people on a temporary basis

Tax bonus for skilled trades services remains in place

Sick leave: Certificate of incapacity for work (AU certificate) from the first day

Founding and acquisition: Your courage counts for the future

Digital bathroom planning: Hansgrohe focuses on direct referral to tradespeople.

Study on skilled trades as saviors in crises

Battery-powered products can withstand the heat.

Prize for Crafts History: Science in Focus